Member of a ‘Word of God’ group

Introduction

- There are many organisations around the world

- To join one, certain criteria must be met

· You must be a member of a tribe or a caste

· Purchase a membership card

· Pay a fee to have your name entered in the register

· Etc

- Even within the Church, there are many groups, associations and congregations

- Each of these associations has its own distinctive character that sets it apart from the others

- These associations also have their own criteria for membership.

· Register

· Pay your membership fees

· Wear the correct uniform, etc.

Do I need to be a member of the Parole de Dieu group?

- The ‘Parole de Dieu’ group is also an organisation with its own criteria

· Do I know what they are?

· Do I follow them?

· Am I truly a member of the Parole de Dieu group?

- Luke 14:25–33: Jesus tells us about someone who wants to build a house. He must think carefully and consider whether he will be able to finish it. Otherwise, people will mock him.

- He tells us about a king going to war; if he realises he is outmatched, he must negotiate peace

- Is the ‘Word of God’ group really my group, a group where I ought to be?

- Does the group help me? Does it help me grow in my friendship with Jesus?

- I should think carefully about whether I should be in the group and, if so, whether I’m living as a true member of the ‘Word of God’ group.

- If not, I should look for another group that will help me better.

- Jesus tells the parable of the guests (Matthew 22:1–14). Towards the end, the master sends his servants out to invite all the passers-by to the feast. Unfortunately, there was one person there who was not wearing festive clothing

- He was thrown out, suffering

- He was part of the crowd without really being a member

- He was present but lacked a spirit of fellowship with the others

- Example: at our tribal gatherings, there are often guests. Others are just passing through. They stay for the whole gathering. They even help themselves to the meal first. But that does not make them members of the gathering.

- Thus, many people may attend the ‘Word of God’ group without being members

- They may be there for years without being true members.

- The task of the leaders is to ensure that someone who is not a true member can become one, and if they are, to see that they fulfil their commitment to the end.

- At first, I can come to the group through

· Invitation

· Desire

· Curiosity

· Because I’m praying for something

· Etc

- But then I must discover and understand what makes the group unique and live it out

- The leader invites people as in the parable of the guests, but afterwards he must check and identify those who have managed to accept and wear the ‘robe of God’s Word’

- Recognising even those who are currently wearing it

Who is a member of the Word of God group (a ‘Parolien’)?

- Unlike other organisations, to become a member of the Word of God group, you do not start by writing your name down or paying for a membership card.

1. Attendance

- The first criterion for membership of the Word of God group is attendance at all activities

- It means taking what is on the programme seriously, even if I don’t understand the rationale behind it at first; but I trust that if it’s on the programme, it’s good for my spiritual growth

- It means developing yourself, because even when you’re not asked to do anything during an activity – even if you’re not assigned a specific role – you watch others in action and learn; you can even make suggestions and offer advice.

- So one of the first signs of someone’s commitment to a Word of God group is when you see them always turning up.

- They take ownership of the activities

- It’s as if they were saying: ‘I can’t organise something and then be absent myself’

- For example: sometimes there are people who complain within the groups. ‘I wasn’t told this’, ‘I’m not being asked to do that’. But they aren’t always present. How can we count on you when you’re coming and going?

- Above all, we must work with those who are interested and who are present; it’s better to rely on them without, however, excluding or forgetting the others, whilst waiting for them to show their full commitment.

- Whilst attendance is important, we must bear in mind that there are people who, because of work, studies or other commitments, are no longer close to the group, even in a town where a group exists.

- But if they are genuine members, they will keep themselves informed, they will make suggestions, and they will stay in touch whilst waiting for the time when they return or set up a group where they are.

2. Living out the Word of God

- A true member of the Word of God group will make an effort to please Jesus by living out His Word

- Someone who is not particularly interested in living out the Word cannot be a true member

- Example: Someone may come to the Word of God group whilst living in serious sin. But normally, as time goes on, the more they wish to live out the Word, the more they must break away from serious sins and persistent mortal sins.

- It is true that if someone is in a serious state of sin, we do not expel them from the group, because over time they may change. Let us give them time, be patient without judging them, and pray for them. This may take several years. But God’s mercy may help them to be converted.

- But we must avoid making them a leader

- 1 Peter 5:3: ‘Be examples to the flock’

- How can we guide others along a path that we ourselves do not follow?

- That is why a leader of a ‘Word of God’ group must be careful, as he himself risks – at least at certain times – not being a member of ‘Word of God’, because he is not living out the Word of God.

- This will then affect their responsibility. They will be a bad shepherd, even if they are very active.

- The good shepherd in ‘Parole de Dieu’, the good leader—the one the Lord wants for those who will build the Movement of the Incarnation, his kingdom—is someone who lives by the Word.

- For us, it is better to live by the Word of God and do nothing else.

- We can therefore see that living out the Word of God is the key aspect of being a member of the group.

- We therefore have thousands of members around the world, all of whom aim to live out the Word of God but who do not yet know the Word of God group. Let us pray for them. Let us give thanks to God for these brothers and sisters

- The key tool that helps us to live by the Word of God is the prayer sheet

- It is a simple tool containing short exercises

- But whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in larger ones

3. Sharing the Word of God

- A true member of the Word of God group, living out the Word of God, will be so filled with it that they will share it

- Evangelism is inseparable from belonging to the Word of God group

- You shall not say: ‘I am a member, but I do not evangelise, or I only evangelise through my actions’. No!

- A true member of ‘Word of God’ will seek to

· Share Jesus

· Bear witness

· Organise activities so that others may come to know Jesus and live by his Word

· Be a shepherd to others

· True members will not neglect opportunities to evangelise or attend retreats

- A true member of the Word of God group will therefore live out the Word but will also be someone who works towards evangelism.

- A negative example of some leaders neglecting retreats

The life of prayer

- None of this can succeed without a good life of prayer

- A true member of a ‘Word of God’ group will not neglect their personal prayer life. They will endeavour to be faithful to silent prayer (at least 30 minutes) and will spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

- If you have someone in the group who does not take silent prayer seriously, you will find it difficult for them to be a true member of the ‘Word of God’ group

- The group leader must seek out members within the group to guide, educate and train them to become men and women of prayer – people who live out the Word and share it; in short, true members of ‘Parole de Dieu’

- Example: it is not always common to find members like this. Often, one aspect is lived out well, whilst the other is not.

- The leader should therefore be on the lookout for those who are best suited to the ‘Parole de Dieu’ way of life

· ‘the sort’ of member we want

· Those who live out every aspect of this special coin

- He himself will take care to continue being an authentic member

- St Paul said that one risks saving others whilst losing oneself

- Example: I am moved by members who share the Gospel with me whilst being true followers of the Word

- A leader can only help their members effectively if they themselves are a true member

Henri Bayemi