Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: Spirit Prompts

by John Nelson | published on Apr 29, 2019

Discussion Questions:

  1. Try Alice Walker’s idea with a friend or in a study group. Pull out a picture that has meaning for you and tell its story, starting with the words, “In this one….”
  2. The author of the Revelation according to John names three specific details of his situation: “the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance.” What can you learn about those realities that John had in common with his readers? How do those realities inform the way you understand his vision?
  3. What have you seen or heard, which you know to be connected to the Spirit, that is waiting for you to share with another?

 

Spirit Prompts

I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet: saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches.”  – Revelation 1:9-11, NRSV

The voice said to John, “Write what you see.” The sights he set down in words will blow your mind, if they haven’t already. 

“Write what you see.” A holy writing prompt, long before the phrase got 150,000,000 hits in a search engine.

Alice Walker had a similar one that rescued me from many dry spells, an inspiration I found in her work years ago. She suggested picking up a photograph with personal meaning and starting with the words, “In this one….” It’s an invitation to describe a world that only you could see. A world that doesn’t exist, apart from your telling.

Maybe God gives you the same holy prompt that John heard, long ago on Patmos. Do you see trouble? Write it. Beauty? Write that. Solidarity? Write that. Persecution? Write that, too. 

Maybe you’re not so much for writing—so speak what you see, or draw what you see, or sculpt what you see. Maybe your “seeing” is with the ears or the taste buds instead of the eyes. Either way: take what you know, and share it. 

Because the kin-dom is always looking for your vision, to become complete. 

Prayer

O Holy Revealer, open my senses that I may take in the trouble you seek to heal, the beauty you send for wonder, the grace that is your realm. Then give me the prompting I need, to share the revelation. Amen.