I recently led an exploration of metaphors of blessing as part of an opening devotions in the Media and Communications Course at Trinity College in Brisbane. The process was designed to demonstrate a framework of engagement that relates strongly to a literate culture, using printed text, linear process, analysis of concepts, and allows scope for individual and group reflection.
The process we followed was:
1. Quiet Time – solitary, or in pairs, reading through Ephesians 1:3-22, circling the word pictures used to describe God’s action.
2. As a large group identify words or phrases that describe each of the metaphors, listing metaphors on large pieces of paper (one per page). We used a 3M Post-it Easel Pad (20 x 30 inches).
3. Write individual prayers on small Post It notes, attaching them to the eight posters. Those so inclined draw or doodle on the posters.
4. List together the action words (ending with “ing”) for the community living out the eight metaphors.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
2. As a large group identify words or phrases that describe each of the metaphors, listing metaphors on large pieces of paper (one per page). We used a 3M Post-it Easel Pad (20 x 30 inches). Here’s our list of eight metaphors:
- Riches of his grace
- Truth revealed – word of truth, mystery of his will, revelation, wisdom and strength
- Heavenly Places – space, awesome, bigger than big
- Holy and Blameless Before Him in Love
- Before the foundation of the world
- Adoption as children – inheritance, chosen, destined
- Redemption through his blood
- Embody the Gospel – under his feet, head over all things, eyes of our heart
3. Write individual prayers on small Post It notes, attaching them to the eight posters. Those so inclined draw or doodle on the posters.
Riches of his grace
Help me be lavish.
In your generosity may I find inspiration for my own life.
Thank you for your gift of forgiveness that you have given freely, unconditionally and undeservedly.
Truth revealed
Help us to remember you can only be known through making yourself known
God through all the ages you speak the truth to us. Help us to speak the truth in our age.
Lead me in insight.
Help us to know you more, and live in your will, as you reveal your will for our lives.
Even though you are beyond coimprehension we can rest in safety. Your presence is true. Help me reflect that truth.
Heavenly Places
How awesome are you God, beyond our comprehension. Beyond time and space, past prsent, future, gathered together in you.
Sorry Lord that I forget how big you are.
Your grace is awesome.
God you are too big for me to comprehend.
Holy and Blameless Before Him in Love
Set free and released – that’s pretty amazing God. Thank you!
Thank you for seeing me holy and blameless even though I have sinned against you and others in thought, deeds and see me with love.
Thank you Lord for being able to truly stand in your presence, knowing that you not accuse us of anything we have done against you but rather seing us as pure as Jesus, and loving us just as much.
Before the foundation of the world
Thank you for making your will known to us through Jesus Christ of you plan to gather up all things as your children. We praise you and give you glory.
God you know and care for us. You have been there since the beginning of time.
You are Lord over all things, all time, past present and future.
Help us to keep the faith when things are looking black.
I trust you with my life.
Adoption as children
Because of you Jesus, there is hope.
Oh God, you chose me before I even knew you. Thank you Lord. Thank for choosing me. Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for the extent of your love and what you did to p0rovide a means of bringing us to you. Amen.
Help us work together as family – all chosen by you. Sisters and brothers even in our difference.
I love God.
Help us fulfil our duties and responsibilities as those chosen by you to be the bearers of your grace to others.
Thank you for the extent of your love and what you did to provide a means of bringing us to you. Amen.
Redemption through his blood
Your sacrifice has made it possible for us to be made holy.
Thanks for seeing us as being worthy of your love, grace and salvation. FOr loving us to an unimagineable extent you gave us the gift of salvation and redemption.
Help us to give up things that keep us from you.
Thanks for redeeming us, for sacrificing your son/self.
Embody the Gospel
Help us to see things with your eyes, to be your hands, feet and voice in the world.
God help us embody the gospel in our lives and our ministry.
Help us to remember our role in this and who the head is.
4. List together the action words (ending with “ing”) for the community living out the eight metaphors.
- Riches of his grace – enjoying, connecting GOd and people, worshipping with extravagance, bestowing, lavishing, giving, extravagant community of people
- Truth revealed – communicating, growing, truth-seeking, maturing, encouraging, wisdom-living, strong and solid community of people
- Heavenly Places – moving, soaring, imagining, expansive, opening, possibility-focused, propelling, sending beyond our limits, generating big ideas, pioneering community of people
- Holy and Blameless Before Him in Love – growing in purity and focus, connecting with intimacy, standing with poise, forgiving, community of people
- Before the foundation of the world – unifying, fulfilling, created and creating, attracting, collecting, gathering community of people
- Adoption as children – protecting, nurturing, helping, inviting, sharing, celebrating, accepting, showing, teaching, loving, welcoming community of people
- Redemption through his blood – redeeming, sacrificing, buying back, giving, healing, vulnerable, restoring, dying to privacy, cliques and security, trusting community of people
- Embody the Gospel – completeness, loving, accountable together, healing, responding to direction, fulfilling, connecting with God, empowering group of people