Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Saturday, 26 April 2014 " Not the end—but a beginning"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Saturday, 26 April 2014 " Not the end—but a beginning"

Reflection Question:
Luke wanted Theophilus (and all other readers) to know Jesus' story didn't end in Jerusalem with the cross and the resurrection, or even the ascension. The risen Jesus told his followers that the saving work he had begun would go on through the rest of human history and into eternity. The risen Lord left earth, but two men in white told them this was not the end of Jesus' story—he would return. His followers devoted themselves to prayer to prepare for the huge task that now lay before them.
The CEB Study Bible notes that verse 14 is like the opening note of a theme that runs through the story of the early Christians in Acts: "The spirit of unity and the practice of prayer are major features of community life (cf. Acts 2:1, 42-44; 3:1; 4:23-32; 6:6; 13:1-3; 16:13, 16; 20:36-37; 21:5)." Remember, some of this company were arguing about which of them would be the greatest at the Last Supper (cf. Luke 22:24), and they would have disagreements in the years ahead (e.g. Acts 15). What was their spirit of unity based on? That same spirit of unity is as crucial for us to carry out the mission Jesus gave us as it was for them. In what ways can you cultivate a spirit of unity, not of division, in your service to God?
Family Activity:
Jesus chose women to be the first people to share the news of His resurrection! Research the women in Bible. With younger children, use a Bible story book and discover how many stories of women are told. With older kids, use a concordance or the Internet to explore the stories of women. You may also want to discover how many names of women are mentioned whose stories are not told. Read a few of the stories and describe the qualities of the women mentioned. Discuss what their stories teach us about God. Think of the women in your life today and compare Biblical women with them. Write a note to a woman who displays God-like qualities. Thank her for sharing her faith. As a family, commit to praying for the special women in your life.
Today's Prayer:
King Jesus, Isaiah said you would be "the prince of peace." Help me, as a member of your diverse, worldwide family of believers, to live out the spirit of unity and peace your Spirit brought about in the first group of believers. Amen.
Daily Scripture: Acts 1:9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold,[a] two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Insight from Cathy Bien
Cathy Bien is Resurrection’s Director of Communications. She and her family joined Resurrection in 1994 at Leawood Elementary School, and she had been on staff for 14 years.
What do you do when Easter is over? How do you move on from that spiritual mountain top?
Jesus’ disciples and followers had been through the wringer – from the fear and devastation following Jesus’ crucifixion and death, to the confusion when his body is missing, to the rejoicing when they see the risen Lord. And then, as the first chapter of Acts tells us, Jesus leaves them again, ascending into heaven.
Their experiences had changed their lives. No way could they go back to being ordinary fishermen or tax collectors.
The disciples gathered together and devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14). They prepared for a new beginning as they waited for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts: 1:8)
Jesus’ followers gathered together.
Last weekend, we celebrated Easter. We experienced music that touched our souls, we prayed as a community with one voice, and we heard a message that reminded us of the hope of resurrection and offered us reassurance that “the worst thing is never the last thing.” We were at that spiritual mountain top.
So this week, do we just return to our ordinary lives – focused on ourselves and insignificant concerns?
What if we followed the disciples’ example and gathered together to pray and worship and serve God each week? What if we lived into the promise that the Holy Spirit will give us power to be Christ’s witnesses? What if we recommitted ourselves to being the heart and hands of Christ in our community?
What could happen if we gathered together as Easter people all year long?
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