MAY 12
THE ONE WHERE IT TAKES A VILLAGE
At some point our relationships will become strained, but we aren’t meant to face these challenges alone.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How well connected are you to the family of God? On a scale of 1-5 (1 being completely disconnected and 5 being fully connected).
- Read Matthew 28:19-20. How are you doing at being a disciple of Jesus (one who is with Jesus, is becoming like Him, and is doing what He did)? How are you doing at the other parts of this verse:
- Go- Be a light to the world around you (not just those like you!)
- Baptize – Tell the good news about Jesus and invite people to say yes to God.
- Teach – How well do you know God and can you teach others what you know?
- Read Genesis 2:15-25.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you see as the design of what life was supposed to be?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
- Where have we missed living in what God designed for us?
4. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Do you have people who stand with you in encouragement and challenge? Are you someone who stands with others? If so, for who and what does that look like? If not, how could you build those kinds of relationships?
5. Read Colossians 2:6-7. How are you being “rooted and built up” in your faith in this season? Where are you stuck and how can community come around you to help?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Matthew 28:19-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Ephesians 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
PRAYER
As the family of God we get the privilege to pray for each other. Spend time today praying for one another.
PRACTICE
God’s plan for the church is for us to be a counter cultural radically loving community to each other AND the world around us. A practical way to do that is to use the acronym B.L.E.S.S. This week take some time to make a BLESS plan
Begin with prayer – Pray for those God has put around you (neighbors, co-workers, family) daily. The more you know about them, the more you can know how to pray for them.
Listen – Ask questions about their life. Get to know them. Actively and empathetically listen.
Engage – Spend time with them. Share a meal. Invite them over. Make this a regular thing.
Serve – Look for ways to help them (you might discover specific ways to do that in your conversations or in your time praying for them).
Share your story – After hearing their story, share what you have discovered in our own life in similar situations. Share how God has spoken to you in the past or even recently through the Scriptures, through prayer, in worship, through miraculous intervention, or through the still small voice.
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
This week we learned how Jesus has authority over all things. We can take our worries to Jesus because He cares deeply for us.
THE BIBLE: “All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:12
THE MESSAGE:
Jesus loves us more than we can imagine. He wants us to feel safe and secure. Jesus calms our fears because of His love. Whenever we’re afraid, we can ask Jesus to be with us, to comfort us, and to calm us. Jesus will be with us just as He was with the disciples when they were scared.
THE BIG IDEA: God still works miracles today!
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- What will you do when you’re afraid? Will you choose to put your faith in Jesus because you know and believe that Jesus is in control?
REMEMBER THIS
The Bible is a great place to go when we’re afraid. The Bible includes many promises from God that tell of his love and protection. There are stories that show Jesus calming the fears of his friends. The Bible has something for everyone, but it’s important to take the time to sit down, read it, and think about what we’ve read. It takes great faith in Jesus to believe that miracles still happen today. When the storms of life become too much for you, have faith and believe Jesus will meet you where you are!
NEXT WEEK
Next week we learn about another miracle – Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only 1 loaf of bread and two fish!