QUOTE ON 'DREAMS'!

"Dreams are NOT that which we see while we are asleep;
but True DREAMS are that WHICH WILL NOT LET US SLEEP"

I'm not sure who exactly said this, but it was by one of the athlete taking part in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

What a provocative statement! The athletes are driven because of the prize which is set before them - a medal & a recognition!

This is not talking about dreams which we see when we had eaten a lot, or something which flashes through our inside (?) while in deep slumber.


Real dreams are:
- that which we run after
- that which are worth pursuing
- that which is worth our sacrifice
- that which keep us awake

... because we don't want to settle for anything less!

It's a motivating factor, which drives us until we see it accomplished!!

Do we have such dreams, which we are pursuing after?
Are those dreams which we run after, inspired by God, who is able to empower us to see its fulfillment?

Let's dare to DREAM BIG in God and for God!
And may our dreams be inspired by God, for His purposes - be it dreams that we dream:
a) in our sleep or while we are awake;
b) while talking with someone or while we listen to someone;
c) while overhearing someone talking with others or while we ponder over certain things in quietness ...

Let's DREAM to make a difference for the Kingdom!

REFLECTIVE BIBLE STUDY

One of the questions which many ask is what in the world is a REFLECTIVE BIBLE STUDY?

Basically, it's reflecting on what was preached on a Sunday Sermon, mid-way through the week in our weekly Bible Study, rather than listening to another sermon.
Most of the time, the Pastor or a Preacher shares what he/she feels the Lord wants to speak to the congregation on a Sunday morning.
If the Preacher doesn't want the congregation to apply the truth, then why preach?
And since Sunday service is closed in a hurry for want of time or for whatever reasons ... often people go out of the church thinking of the things they need to do later on in the day or the week ahead of them.

One stark difference in PREACHING is that it calls for an instant commitment, whereas TEACHING is laying a foundation for the future! Though it overlaps ... a person will not bother applying a truth from a sermon several weeks down the road, especially if one hasn't given much thought or consideration about it at that moment immediately after hearing!

So, a Reflective Bible Study is 'chewing the cud', as it were, on a Wednesday (usually) or mid-week - reflecting on what was preached the previous Sunday.

The advantages:
a) To start with, the participants are well prepared for the evening, because they know what's going to be the topic
b) It's interactive and allows the participants to bring up issues related to them
c) The participants can make a comment, which they normally won't be able to do when the Pastor/Preacher is preaching on a Sunday morning or even ask questions when there is a doubt
d) Since all have heard the sermon and have mulled over the truth for a good 3 days or more, it leads to an effective discussion
e) It's NOT another preaching by the Preacher. The most the facilitator should do in this interactive Bible Study is speak for not more than 40% - 50% of the time. The rest of the discussion happens within the group -- AND BELIEVE ME, IT'S EFFECTIVE!

The GOAL should always be an APPLICATION of the truth heard, in whatever way it relates to the individual.
Hence the challenge is always to be well prepared with the discussion questions, so people are able to participate in it!
And at the end, SUM IT UP and conclude with a challenge and an effective application point 'to take away' with us.

The thrill is not in asking questions which the people aren't able to answer, but what they CAN from the Scriptures - so they go out excited about learning and finding the truths themselves ... which is a great motivator to apply it.