June 28, 2020: Episode 49 | Speaking of Perfect
The message that sparked the conversation ... Practice Makes Perfect.
Does practice make perfect? How much practice would it take? Join us in a conversation about striving for perfection, going the extra mile, and breathing peace into our broken communities.
Discussion Questions
- What was something you made a serious effort to practice, but never got perfect.
- Author Malcom Gladwell in his book Outliers promoted the idea of the "10,000 hour rule," based on a study of elite violinists and pianists who had all racked up an average of 10,000 hours of practice by age 20 (roughly 3 hours every day for 10 years). It seemed to reinforce the idea that "practice makes perfect." However, another study suggested that it's more complicated: there are environmental and genetic factors at work, too (see ... https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/21/practice-does-not-always-make-perfect-violinists-10000-hour-rule)
What do you think of this idea that "practice makes perfect"? - Another twist on the phrase is "practice makes permanent." How does that shift the meaning?
- Jesus ends the first half of the Sermon on the Mount with the phrase "be perfect" (or "be complete/mature"). Listen to chapter 5 again and see what words or phrases interest, puzzle, challenge or otherwise get your attention.
- What tone do you tend to imagine in Jesus' voice when you hear him say, "be perfect"?
- Putting this with the beginning of Jesus' sermon, how is this good news for you?
- Reflecting on this, what do you want to say to people in your household, church, or neighborhood?