How can you adopt a version of the Diaconal Orders practice of holy convocation?

Reflect on Psalm 30:5b. Are these words of comfort or challenge?

Do you only celebrate the goodness of God when the outcome is what you want?

Reflect on your political views and how they relate to the Lordship of Christ in your life and over creation.

How can I better be a doer of the word?

Think of issues which divide the church. Apply Pauls list of the fruits of the Spirit and creatively imagine how their application might transform what seems insurmountable.

What is the relationship between the love of God and love of neighbour?

Go back through Galatians and see how much you can follow Paul in reading into scripture from your experiences.

Think about whose ministry and life enabled you to receive the Spirit of God.

Write a contemporary version of verse 28.

Find out what some Jewish views on Torah are?

Saying something is biblical is the beginning, not the end, of the discussion.

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?

What is absolutely essential for you to be called and known as a follower of Christ?

Try and engage with the perspective of someone who you vehemently disagree with on something. See if you can understand at all why they think what they think.

Pauls letters would have been read aloud in the churches they were written for. In preparation for our thinking, prayer and action over the next two weeks please read Galatians straight through; preferably aloud!

How can the Church speak more effectively into a society that is so focussed on money, possessions and self?

How might your own church reach out and offer support to another that is maybe struggling?

Is there scope and mission opportunity for the churches in your area to get more involved with community activities?

Does your church have a regular Bible study and are you a part of it? Have you considered volunteering to lead it?

Is there a way in which you can help people in need locally, perhaps by offering your time to the nearest Food Bank or a similar organisation?

Increase your knowledge of persecuted Christians worldwide, and where possible keep abreast of, and support, campaigns raising awareness of their plight.

What measurement do we use to determine the worthiness of others to receive blessings? How does Jesus offer us an example of grace?

Many people fear death. Think about your perspective on death. What are your thoughts on Revelations description of victory for those who had been persecuted?

How do you feel about the finality of Jesus instruction to the 70 to shake the dust from their feet?

Do we fixate on replicating the circumstances and approaches used by others in order to resolve our own issues and concerns?

What acts of injustice are carried out in your own context which favour one group over another. How can you model a different approach?

The challenges we face are insidious. In the coming week be alert to the pitfalls which could distract us from our purpose and calling.

Write a letter to someone younger than you, sharing some testimony and advice that you have from your walk with God.

Offer some time, gifts, or resources to a charitable cause whose aims are not those that you would normally support.