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Episode 005: I don’t want to go back to normal, because normal wasn’t working (Part 4)

In this episode, Jeff and Sabrina continue their series on “not going back to normal” by finishing out their conversation concerning our spiritual health.

We intended to have this be a part of the conversation with mental health in Episode 004 but the Lord took us another direction and the result was two stand-alone episodes.

We answered a listener question from Michelle Gantz:

How can we worship together and still keep people safe? California has asked it’s citizens to not sing during church to prevent the spread of COVID. I agree that we should act responsibly for the safety of others. I know that we can worship God independently. But I also believe that God still wants us to gather together and worship as a church. How do we do that safely? Will this be the end of large churches? Will meeting in smaller groups in homes be the “new normal?”

If you’ve missed any of the previous podcasts from this series you can follow the links below to watch or listen to:

Episode 002: I don’t want to go back to normal (Part 1)

http://128.199.13.111/episode-002-i-dont-want-to-go-back-to-normal-because-normal-wasnt-working/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzMYeHYKcY&t=1578s

Episode 003: I don’t want to go back to normal (Part 2)

http://128.199.13.111/episode-003-i-dont-want-to-go-back-to-normal-because-normal-wasnt-working-part-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-jK9ZTGFPk&t=54s

Episode 004: I don’t want to go back to normal (Part 3)

http://128.199.13.111/episode-004-i-dont-want-to-go-back-to-normal-because-normal-wasnt-working-part-3/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAV1H0pOkJI

Only 32% of Protestant Churchgoers personally read their Bible every day. That means 68% of churchgoers aren’t reading their Bible regularly. 12% said they read it rarely if ever.

“I heard a pastor recently quote this stat and said, that’s like saying 68% of people aren’t eating every day and 12% eat rarely if ever.”

In the vast majority of churches, no more than 35% of people engage in a small group.

63% of church attenders go once or twice a month at most. 30% go seldom or never. The average churchgoer goes to church 1.5 times a month.

Scripture used:

Matthew 4:4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Hebrews 10:25 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Acts 2:42-47 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.