Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection - Grow! Pray! Study" Daily Guide for Saturday, 8 March 2014 "God's awe-inspiring 'city on a hill'"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection - Grow! Pray! Study" Daily Guide for Saturday, 8 March 2014 "God's awe-inspiring 'city on a hill'"
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Daily Scripture: Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Reflection Question:
To human wisdom, the first Christians might not have looked much like Jesus' image of a city on a hill. Yet the lives they lived, and the message they shared, have changed the world for the better in powerful ways for over 2,000 years now. Acts said that prayer, fellowship, the apostles' teaching and a radically generous spirit were the forces that shaped them. Those first Christians left us a model of church life blessed in awesome ways by God's presence, a model that we have 10,000 reasons to seek to live into. 
•Who do you look to as a "city on a hill," an example of someone who inspires awe in you by living a life that makes a difference in the world? What challenges do you face when it comes to contributing to the well-being of others? What holds you back? Prayer, fellowship, devotion to the apostles' teaching, and radical generosity were the foundations of the early Christians' powerful impact. In which of these areas do you sense God inviting you to grow during the season of Lent?
Family Activity:
This past Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the season in which we prepare for Jesus' death and resurrection. Lent lasts 40 days and is the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, not including Sundays. Lent is a time for us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made by giving His life for us and dying for our sins. As a family, choose something you will sacrifice in honor of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. Will you give up television, sweets or dinners out? Will you release your hold on some technology or sports? Maybe instead of giving something up, you will want to add something such as family worship time or serving others more regularly. Pray about your decision and ask God to help you draw nearer to Him this Lenten season.
Today's Prayer:
Help me to see beyond myself and my circumstances to how I can make an impact for your kingdom. Draw me closer to you, for I know I am stronger and more impactful with you by my side. Amen.
Insight from Angela LaVallie
Angela LaVallie is the Worship Logistics Program Director at Resurrection.
Read and Reflect:
(Head)
Jesus set out his goal for the citizens of his Kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. You, he told them, are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, like a city on top of a hill. Many American political leaders have adopted Jesus’ image. When they speak of a “city on a hill,” they generally mean our country, not God’s Kingdom. Although they do not always agree on exactly what our nation should be doing, the image always suggests that the United States is the ideal, an example for other nations to admire and emulate.
It’s interesting that when Jesus spoke of his followers as a “city on a hill,” he did not say the goal was to get people to admire them. In Matthew 5:16, this was how he phrased the mission of letting our light shine: “Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.”
Today’s reading is a word picture of the first group of believers who sought to live out the mission of letting their light shine. What did they do? They “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.” They “were united and shared everything.” They “met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone.” And, apparently, it worked—verse 43 said, “A sense of awe came over everyone.” When God’s light shines out through God’s people, the effect is—well, awesome!
That’s the mission God is calling us to. Each week in worship we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s kingdom, the ultimate city on a hill, is not yet perfectly among us. But Scripture and the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit enable us to envision this perfect kingdom and to help build it. We receive tools to help make our world more like God’s Kingdom, to make our prayer more of a reality here on earth. When in God’s name we gladly provide so that all have some and no one goes without, others will notice and we will become an example. When we work together to provide for the needs of all, others will see God’s ideal Kingdom as an example and will be inspired to live accordingly.
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
God, give me the desire to commit to your plans and sustain that longing to fulfill the work you begin in me. Help me to see beyond myself and my circumstances to how I can make an impact for your kingdom.
Teach me to see your vision of the church and all its members working together so that your will is done. Guide me continually so that I might know best where and when to commit to make your kingdom on earth a certainty.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit and draw me closer to you, for I know I am stronger and more impactful with you by my side. Help me to feel your presence and let it encourage me as we venture together in life’s journey.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Think carefully about the qualities of that first Christian community. Think about the ways our congregation, and you as a member of that congregation, are living out those same qualities. Are you using your resources, time, talents, gifts, experiences and dreams to let your light shine, to positively impact the lives of others?
Look for ways you can give of yourself today so that others may know God’s love and provision through you.
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. When have you been in need of help of some kind? Did you get the help you needed?
How did receiving (or not receiving) what you needed make you feel?
2. What challenges do you face when it comes to contributing to the well-being of others? What holds you back?
3. Who can you look to as a “city on a hill,” an example of someone who inspires awe by living a life that makes a difference in the world?
4. How can you commit to giving to God’s kingdom? What do you need to do be sure you fulfill that commitment?
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