Authentic church

Not very happy with the way bible study went last night at Zac's. My fault. I wasn't happy with my prep and it didn't hang together well. I did lots of preparation and found out a lot but somehow couldn't get a grip or a good angle to take on the 'Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy' commandment. Also it didn't engage people, well, not until nearly the end, and even then it wasn't the study that got people talking.

It was a question about homophobia from a young woman. She and her partner had moved from a town in England to get away from homophobic attacks: most recently they'd had their windows broken.

About halfway through the study a group of about five young male rough sleepers walked in. They did chatter a bit but mostly were quiet except for some insightful - and, yes, I have to admit unexpected to me - comments about grace.

The best bit of the evening came later. I'd gone upstairs to look for some clothes for the women and when I returned one of the volunteers was sitting and talking to the guys, and another was in conversation with the women. That felt like what it was about.

Part of the theme of my study was that looking out for others plays a part in the 'keeping it holy' bit of the commandment. The volunteers didn't need to be told that; what they did was natural and authentic. And I loved them for it.