Week Four: Anglican Devotion Book of Common Prayer Appropriately, all that we have learned in the catechism course moves toward its culmination with a penultimate lesson on worship and prayer. I think this lesson has two major goals: (1) give the catechumen a basic understanding of the content and meaning of the liturgy (i.e., why we do what we do the way we do it), and (2) give the catechumen a basic introduction to the riches of the BCP for their own spiritual life (i.e., its prayers, Scripture readings, and calendar rhythms). It is important that everyone has a BCP... the lesson would be pretty hard without it! Ultimately, the purpose of this lesson is to help the catechumen treasure the BCP and understand some of its inner logic and richness. We want people to see how everything in the BCP is infused with the Scriptures, and in turn infuses us with the Scriptures. We want people to feel like they can approach and use the BCP easily. This lesson should be fairly interactive, and the teacher s notes have a decent amount of direction, but here are some suggested teaching guides: 1. Begin with by praying the Collect for Purity together and then briefly explain the main purposes of the lesson. (5 min) 2. Discuss the first set of questions: "Why liturgy? Why the BCP? Why structure?" Basically, why does any of this matter? What is its purpose? (5-10 min) 3. Teach through section one fairly succinctly, showing the catechumen a few examples of how the prayers/liturgy come from Scripture. (15 min) 4. Focus on section two. The main point is that the liturgy takes us through the cycles of 'sin-grace-faith'. It immerses us in the Gospel. This is a good time to discuss and clarify with everyone just what sin, grace, and faith is. (15 min) 5. Practically explain to the catechumen what the lectionary is and show them how to use it. This is about immersing our lives in Scripture. (10 min) 6. Explain what the prayers and thanksgivings are all about and spend time praying some of them together. This is about ensconcing our lives in prayer. (10 min) 7. Finally, talk about the Church calendar and/or the structure of the collects. (15 min) 110
Review: Anglican Doctrine 1. As a group, briefly recall last week s lesson by answering this question: What are the major emphases of Anglican doctrine as articulated in the 39 Articles? 2. Pray together the Collect for Purity: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p.67) Introduction: Anglican Devotion 1. Discuss the following questions: (Encourage students to answer these questions by themselves and with honesty.) a. In your opinion, what are the major characteristics of Anglican devotion? Liturgy; structured prayers; lots of Scripture reading; frequent and rhythmic; thoughtful; importance of Word and Sacrament b. Why liturgy? Why the BCP? Why structure? Developing faithful disciples of Christ bridging the discipleship dap between conversion and spiritual maturity Developing long term, historically rooted, biblically grounded, and communally expressed rhythms of worship Liturgy = communal spiritual formation Helps us drink from deep wells of grace o But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (1 Pet 3:18) 111
I. Gospel Foundations Gospel Clarity Recovered in the Reformation i. Edifying 1. The Bible Arranged for Worship Look at Appendix G on p.112 Biblical Allusions in Holy Communion 2. Biblically Informed Prayers The BCP helps us pray Scripture back to God. St. Augustine says that this is the great mystery of the Psalms: God s words to us become our words to God. Along these lines, George Herbert famously called prayer reversed thunder. Example: Prayers in the Order for Compline (BCP, pp.722-8) o Opening Prayers (p.722) Pss 70:1; 135:1 o Prayers after first Scripture reading (p.723) Ps 31:5 o Prayer after first hymn (p.723) Ps 17:8 o Nunc Dimittis (p.724) Luke 2:29-32 o Prayers after absolution (p.726) Pss 85:6-7; 123:3; 102:1 o Closing Prayers (p.727) Ps 4:8 ii. Congregational Worship Participatory o Scripture readings & prayers of the people o Liturgy is responsive o Engages body and soul (whole person) Common Language English vernacular iii. Simplicity 1. An Amazing Distillation Draws from ancient liturgies and prayers o Example: Prayer of St. Chrysostom at end of Morning Prayer 112
Draws form complex Roman Catholic liturgies Draws from Bible and Church Fathers Condenses and simplifies for ease of use and edification 2. Ease of Use Accessible for everyone who could read 3. Ceremonial Clarity What are you supposed to do and when? The simplified liturgy made it easier for clergy to lead services. 4. Unity Common worship in all churches in England. Now, common worship in churches throughout the world. II. Gospel Shape Gospel Rehearsed in our Worship Look at Appendix E on p.110 Daily Offices (Morning & Evening Prayer) Look at Appendix F on p.111 Outline of Holy Communion A. Sin Detected Confession Read the Confession (BCP, p.4), then have the students answer this question: According to this confession, what is sin? Sin = rebellion against God and his will for human life B. Grace Announced Absolution Read the Absolution (BCP, p.5), then have the students answer this question: According to this absolution, what is grace? Grace = unmerited favour; gift of forgiveness in Christ 113
C. Faith Exercised - Thanksgiving Read the Lord s Prayer (BCP, pp.5-6), then have the students answer this question: According to the Lord s Prayer, what is faith? Faith = complete and whole-hearted trust in God Prayer is the greatest expression of faith III. Gospel Shaping Gospel Forming us as God s People A. Lectionary and Psalms (BCP, pp.xvi-xlv, lv) Explain how to use the lectionary B. Prayers and Thanksgivings (BCP, pp.37-64) Encompasses all of life: o For the Church (1-20) Have a student read 1 and 13 o For the State (21-29) Have a student read 24 o For Agriculture, Fisheries, and Industry (30-36) Have a student read 34 o General (37-46) Have a student read 37 and 40 o For Families (BCP, pp.728-36) C. The Christian Year (BCP, p.93) Rehearses major events (salvation history) Emphasizes major doctrines (creedal) Immerses people in the life and lordship of Christ General Outline: o Advent preparation for Christ s coming (OT promises) o Christmas incarnation 114
o Epiphany revelation of Christ to the Gentiles o Ash Wednesday repentance and mortality o Lent preparation for Christ s death and resurrection o Holy Week Palm Sunday triumphal entry Maundy Thursday foot washing & Lord s supper Good Friday cross Easter Sunday resurrection o Ascension Day Christ s exaltation and enthronement o Pentecost coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church o Trinity Sunday Father, Son, Holy Spirit o Ordinary Time D. Decoding Collects (BCP, p.94) (Walk through two examples: the Collect for Purity [BCP, p.67] and the Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter [BCP, p.191].) 1. Address Almighty God To whom do we pray? 2. Doctrine unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid What is true about God that we can base our prayers on? Look for the relative pronoun: who or whom. Theological Virtue: What do you believe? (Faith) Salvation History: What has God done in the past? 3. Petition Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit What are we asking God to do? Look for the main verb: cleanse or give. Theological Virtue: What do you desire? (Love) 115
Salvation History: What do I ask in the present? 4. Aspiration that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name What is the intended purpose of our petition? Look for the conjunction: that. Theological Virtue: What do you hope for? (Hope) Salvation History: How does this lead me toward the future with God? 5. Conclusion through Christ our Lord. Amen. Who is mediating this prayer and who deserves the glory? E. Daily Office 1. Morning Prayer (BCP, pp.1-15) 2. Mid-day Prayer (BCP, pp.16-17) 3. Evening Prayer (BCP, pp.17-24) 4. Compline (BCP, pp.722-728) 116
Conclusion: Anglican Devotion 1. Summary: What is the primary goal of Anglican devotion? Bruce Hindmarsh: The structures and rhythms are the scaffolding that brings us into the house of God. It takes us by the hand, so to speak, and leads us into the intimacy and joy of his presence. 2. Reflection: Any questions? Any surprises? 3. Praise: Te Deum Laudamus (BCP, p.7-9) 4. Homework: a. Read the Catechism and the Confirmation Service (BCP, pp.544-561). Write down confusing words or ideas, questions that come to mind, and anything that surprises you. b. Develop a personal Rule of Life on the following page, focusing on #5 in particular. We will be sharing as a group next week, so give it some time and thought. 117
Rule of Life (BCP, p.555) 1. The regularity of your attendance at public worship and especially at the Holy Communion. 2. The practice of private prayer, Bible-reading, and self-discipline. 3. Bringing the teaching and example of Christ into your everyday life. 4. The boldness of your spoken witness to your faith in Christ. 5. Your personal service to the Church and the community. 6. The offering of money according to your means for the support of the work of the Church at home and overseas. 118