Nourishing Community (Psalm 133)

Icebreaker

Q - Can you remember a time when a community, family or group of friends came together to support something? What did you find remarkable about that?

Intro

In his notes for this sermon series, Richard wrote “Through the pandemic, I would suggest that our appreciation of others and desire to help others has developed. And as a church, we have continued to help others in our community. This has been a blessing and joy. And it’s been encouraging how the witness of the church in being a community of love to serve others in many ways has been appreciated during the pandemic.”

Q - In what ways have you seen other Christians serve their community in the last year?

Q - In what ways have you found being part of a community important during the last year?

Study

Psalm 133 is known as one of the ‘Songs of Ascents’ which are Psalms 120-134. They are also known as Pilgrim Songs, they are known by these names because it’s believed that these were the songs the pilgrims sang as the ascended to Jerusalem to worship God in the Temple. There are many different theories as to when they were written, but the distinctiveness of them is that they are communal psalms, the community journey together to worship their God.

Please read Psalm 133

1 How good and pleasant it is

    when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,

    running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard,

    down on the collar of his robe.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon

    were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

    even life for evermore.

Q – What are your thoughts from verse 1?

Q - Do you enjoy being part of our Christian community? (i.e. St Giles & St George’s Church) What do you enjoy the most?

The verse says “when God’s people live together in unity”. The Hebrew word used for unity is ‘yachad’ which actually means ‘unitedness’, it means to be together, altogether, alike, in union, another translation would be ‘my heart shall be ready to become one with yours’, yet another translation is ‘a community in action’. This concept and phrase is the key message in this Psalm.

We recognize that there is a lot of diversity in style and the way we interpret the Bible in our church family. There is a lot we have in common as well, a desire to worship God, a recognition of Jesus’ death and resurrection and a passion to serve the community.

Q – Do you find it difficult to be part of a diverse community? What are the benefits and beauties of our diversity?

Verse 2 reminds us of the time when Moses anointed Aaron to be a high priest, the pouring of oil was a sign of God’s presence, calling and empowerment. The call of the high priest was to be the mediator between God’s community and God. It was also common in the ancient Middle East to anoint one’s head with oil when greeting someone entering a home. It was done to refresh the one receiving the oil, to give them a good smell. The verse could also be talking about this lovely fragrance that comes out of unity.

Q – What does this image (verse 2) say about a united community?

Verse 3 talks about the ‘dew of Hermon’. In contrast with other places in Israel, Mount Hermon’s dew made it green and moist. The dew produced renewal and refreshment, it gave life.

Q - What does this image (verse 3) say about a united community?

Q - We were never called to follow Jesus alone, it was always about community. We live in an individualistic world. How can we be counter cultural in the way we live as a community?

Q – A large church like ours means that we and others can easily become ‘anonymous’, attending services but not sharing life, experiences, problems, prayer requests with others. How can we make sure we don’t disconnect from our community?

Q - How can we help others to be more connected and part of our community life?

Prayer

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Reflect on this passage and pray together.