Weekly Practice 9/7/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Scripture
John 15:1-11 NLT
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Practice
Annual Examen, Part 1: Know & Love God
This is it, folks. Over the next four weeks, we’ll be practicing an annual examen, prayerfully reflecting over the last year. If you don’t have a journal, consider getting one. Write things down so you can return to them later. We’ll also be sharing what we notice in our discussion groups each Sunday.
An annual examen can be a lot. If it helps, use old journals, calendars, or other touchpoints to help yourself remember what has happened since last September. It will also help to stretch this over the entire week, maybe tackling a single aspect each day.
This week, prayerfully reflect back over the last year. Consider:
How has your relationship with God deepened, increased, or transformed? What are you thankful for or surprised by?
In what ways has your relationship with God been difficult or complex? What questions or laments do you have?
Reflect on how both of these dynamics have shown up for you:
During personal times of prayer, worship, and scripture reading
Within church community, both on Sundays and throughout the week
In your “everyday life” of responsibilities, relationships, and recreation
