Get an E-Life: e-mail

Get an E-Life
e-mail by David Lantz - August 19, 2007

This week David Lantz finished the series on our e-lives with a message on e-mail. David focused on the problems that can happen when communication lacks a personal element. Let’s start with some personal experiences about that…

1. Have you ever had a major misunderstanding result from an e-mail exchange? Was there anything about the fact that it was e-mail communication that either caused the problem or made the situation worse? Spend 5 – 10 minutes for those who wish to share their experiences.

2. David emphasized that a major drawback of e-mail, despite it’s advantages is that there is no emotional, personal interaction. Of course, sometimes we might see that as an advantage. What about you? Have you ever used e-mail to AVOID personal contact? David asked whether we let technology get in the way of our personal relationships. Discuss in your group and see whether you can develop some guidelines about when non-personal messages “work” and when they are not so helpful. Can you think of someone you may have been “avoiding”, either directly or indirectly that you think you need to engage personally? If so, make a note about who and what you need to talk about. (10 – 15 minutes)

3. One of David’s other points had to do with the way God deals with us. So think some about how you communicate with God. Do any of the following apply to you?

a) Most of my communication is leaving Him a voice mail: “Here’s what I need – hope you will take care of it”.
b) I read his messages but rarely get back to him on it
c) I tend to send a lot of His messages to the Delete folder
d) I don’t tend to check my messages very often – just when I think He may have sent something I need right now
Any others?
Take some time to talk about why it is hard to have regular, personal communication with God? (10 – 15 minutes)

4. Since God has been so personal with us – and communicates with us in so many different ways, it’s a safe bet that He likes to engage us in different ways too. Make a list of the different ways group members DO engage personal communication with God and if possible, discuss when and how each of those channels “works best”. (10 – 15 minutes)

5. End the discussion with some time for personal reflection and application. First, take a few minutes and look back at question 2. Is there someone that you felt prompted to contact directly? Write that down along with a day/time(ideally in the next week) when you’ll make the connection. Next, what about your communication with God? Think about the group’s list of different ways to engage with Him. If there is any approach you have not tried – or haven’t used in quite awhile, write down a time in the coming week when you can open up that channel of communication as you make personal contact with God. (5 minutes)

Bible Verses from the Message:

Jesus said, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and you still don’t believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day
John 6:35-40

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth
John 1:14

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…
Matthew 6: 9-10

God delights in those who are truthful.
Proverbs 12:22

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden and will expose the motives of human hearts. At that time each will receive their praise from God. Now brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else?”
1 Corinthians 4:3-6


Related Next-Step Resources:

• Take a look at lots of different ways to get involved at Gateway along with a test gauge your talents and spiritual gifts at Gateway activities at the One Body Gateway website.
• Check out spiritual growth resources at Gateway's Way of Christ Next-Steps Website)
• Prior Sunday message is usual available by the Tuesday following the message (audio available at Gateway's Sunday Message Archive)