THE PRODIGAL (9). BEING FREE

   I CAN'T GET THE IDEA OF FREEDOM OUT OF MY HEAD - OR OUT OF  MY HEART.

FREEDOM IS WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT RIGHT NOW!
EVERYONE HERE IS WAITING AND HOPING FOR FREEDOM. IT'S THE FOCUS OF EVERYTHING WE DO; IT'S WHAT HELPS US CARRY ON EVEN WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO BE MOVING FORWARD: COUNTING THE TIME LEFT TO SERVE, GETTING REMISSION, MAKING PLANS FOR WHEN WE'RE OUT OF HERE.
But deep down, freedom can be pretty scary, too.And that feeling often grows as our release date approaches. What will our new-found freedom be like - and what dangers might it condeal? We'll be leaving behind some good friends and familiar places.
Freedom is what we aspire to more than enything else. But what will we do with our freedom?. What will I do? Will I end up going back to shady deals, dodgy relationships, loneliness or other hassles? Will I get to grips with myself, perhaps even overcome myself do make a go of it? Or would I really prefer to stay locked up inside myself?
Or then again. perhaps, deep down inside me, true freedom can begin here, today. Perhaps it's a gift I can discover each and every day.

" I HAVE SEEN HOW MY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AS SLAVES IN EGYPY. MY PEOPLE HAVE BEGGED FOR MY HELP, AND I HAVE SEEN HOW CRUEL THE EGYPTIANS ARE TO THEM. NOW GO TO THE KING! I AM SENDING YOU TO LEAD MY PEOPLE OUT OF HIS COUNTRY" ( Exodus, 3:7)
Think :
Is God's plan of deliverance still relevant for us today? What guarantees does  God give us if we dare to follow Him?
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob commits himself to particular people and gets involved in history. How has this covenant continued over centuries? How do you think it continues today?

LIFE'S ALL ABOUT CHOICES.
"Today I am giving you a choice. You can chose life and success, or death and disaster. I am commanding you to be loyal to the Lord, to live the way He has told you, and to obey His laws and teachings (Deuteronomy 30:15).
Think:
Do we always have a choice? Is it possible not to make a choice?
What can lead us to make bad choices?
Does choosing the right thing automatically protect us from trouble?
How can we discern what is 'life' and what is 'death'  - for ourselves and for others?
Each person's choice impact the future of the group. How does that affect us?

' YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE... ANYONE WHO SINS IS A SLAVE OF SIN!' ( John 8:32)
Think:
What is the relationship between truth and freedom? How do they relate to the person of Jesus?
How can the truth set people free? Free from what?
Does being free mean we never sin? Does it take somebody else to set you free?
People often think that being free means not depending on anything or anyone. What do you think?

SET FREE TO LIVE FREE.
'Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever  become slaves of the Law again' ( Galatians 5:1)
Think:
How can somebody become a slave again after having been set free?
What kind of things can we be slaves to?
Can freedom that hurts others be real freedom?
How do you understand the idea that freedom involves serving others?

CAN I DO WHAT I LIKE?
Paul announces freedom in Christ - but doesn't want this freedom to be used to upset other people's :' Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church' ( 1 Corinthians 10:33)
Think: How  can we be attentive to other people weaknesses?
How do personal freedom and the common good fit together? (Marie -Josephe Dubertret, chaplain)

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