Affirmation and Ritual

We are in the third week of The Healthy Family Series @ FBC Meridian. I'll be talking about affimation and rituals tonight. The blessing is a powerful thing. I was reminded of this in a strange way this past Sunday. WGN played the movie, Dodgeball (it's pretty crass even on the edited WGN, sorry). It was beautiful watching Patches affirm Peter to victory. Take my word on this or ask the Average Joes. Patches O'Houlihan said, "I believe in you. You can do it." They did and so can you.

Here is a rough outline and the passages of scripture we will be using in tonight's bible study. ...hope to see you tonight. -

Affirmation and Ritual

The art of blessing is a biblical practice that spans thousands of years and both testaments. We can grow spiritually and strengthen our family life by spending some time exploring the blessing. Tonight we’ll as look at biblical scenes of blessing, talk about the elements of blessing and learn about giving and receiving the blessing of God. Rituals can be tools of blessing.

Blessing

Scenes of Blessing
• Genesis 49:1-2; 28-29a
• Mark 10:13-16
• Matthew 3:16-17
• Matthew 17:5-8


Elements of Blessing
• Influence
• Nearness
• Spoken Words of Affirmation

What Does a Blessing Do?
It affirms and frees.



How Do I Bless?
• Own your influence.
• Be connected.
• Learn to speak affirming words.
• Refuse to curse. “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NRSV

You can receive the blessing.
“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,” Ephesians 1:3 NRSV

Rituals

• Daily Rituals – Deuteronomy 11:18-21
• Weekly Rituals – Luke 4:16
• Yearly Rituals – John 5:1
• Rites of Passage – Luke 2:22