<< Go back

The Vision Study Guide

Welcome to the vision study guide!

It's about a week since I finished doing the Vision study guide, and I just want to say "thanks"! I have written copious notes as part of my study each day, which isn't me at all...

This study guide is intended to help you go deeper. To provide a means of responding to the sense of challenge that many people feel when reading the words of the vision. To enable you to make a sacrifice that will cost you something (your time and commitment) in persuit of the One to whom all visions are ultimately directed.

Each page of the study guide contains elements to help you in that pursuit:

• Thought provoking quotations from both "Christian" and "secular" sources, some of which may be well known and others more surprising!

• Thoughts, reflections, stories and meditations to help you apply the words to the circumstances of real life;

• Bible verses chosen to explore the connection between the vision and the Word of God which is its ultimate source and inspiration.

Many of you will already be experienced in the "spiritual discipline" of daily devotional reading and prayer. For others, this may be a new journey you are embarking on. Either way, it is worth spending some time to think about how you are going to get the most out of this material. The following are just suggestions, but they provide one possible framework for structuring your season of prayer and reflection.

1) Preparation

Identify a time and place that you will be able to set aside every day.

Choose a time of day that you are going to be able to commit regularly, and when you expect to be reasonably alert and focussed (not everyone is a "morning person"!)

Find a space where you can be alone, hang a "do not disturb" sign on the door, turn off the 'phone, switch off your email and instant messengers. God deserves your undivided attention, and who else more important were you planning on taking a call from anyway??

Create surroundings that will help you to enter God's presence.

Some prefer silence, others find that background music which creates an atmosphere of prayer and worship (without being too intrusive) is more helpful.

"Focus objects" such as a candle or visual image can help bring us back when we get distracted (and who would claim that they never experience distraction?!)

You will definitely need a bible, so make sure you have one to hand. It would also be helpful to keep a notebook nearby, to jot down your thoughts and perceptions of what God might be saying through these times.

2) Sacred space

You will probably need to set aside around 15 minutes if possible.

Start with prayer. Ask God to help you, and to speak to you as you come seeking Him. Use your own words, and don't worry if it doesn't sound very impressive! Jesus taught that the best prayers are short, simple, and sincere (and in any case, there is no-one else listening...)

Read the words and reflections for the day. They are structured to take you through the vision a few phrases at a time. How do the stories encourage you to start living out these challenges in your own daily life?

Turn to your bible and read the passage(s) suggested for today. DON'T SKIP THIS BIT! Without the Word of God to give it context, the vision remains just another inspiring poem. By acknowledging that it is in fact nothing more (or less!) than a re-statement of biblical truth, we come back to the source of divine authority which has always been life-shaping and world-shaking.

Take some time to stop and reflect on what you have read. How might God be speaking to me through these things? What one thing am I challenged to stop doing, start doing, or do differently? Note down any thoughts you have in your notebook (even the "little promptings" and insights which you are at this stage unsure about). Don't kid yourself that you won't forget - the reality is that we all can and do!

It struck me that I don't take prayer right into the place of hurt and turmoil. I pray about a crisis situation when I am in a peaceful situation, not at the time of being in the crisis. At least I used to do it that way; no longer!

3) Reflect and review

The bible tells us not to be like people who look in a mirror then immediately forget what they have seen! Periodically go back and review your notes, the insights you have received, and the commitments you have made to yourself and God. You can do this on your own, or you can ask a trusted friend to help you. Ideally they should be wise, mature in God, discrete in what they say and who they say it to, and not easily shocked! It might be good to work through the study guide with one or more friends, and to share accountability with one another as you journey together.

The techie computer stuff

The study guide pages can be downloaded from this website as .pdf files. You can then open them on screen, save them to your computer, or print them off. To open the files you will need a free program called Acrobat Reader. If you don't already have it installed, you can download it here. The default page size is "A4" (European), so if your printer is loaded with US "letter" paper you will need to "fit to page" or the bottom may get cut off...

You are free to share the files with your friends and to print off as many copies as you like. The only restriction is that you shouldn't alter the material or use it for commercial purposes without obtaining permission first.

The vision study guide is (c) Pete Greig 2004. All rights reserved.

<< Go back