Daily Scripture:
Matthew 10:7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near,’ 8 heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara’at, expel demons. You have received without paying, so give without asking payment. (Complete Jewish Bible ).
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. (Complete Jewish Bible ).
Reflection Questions:
Earlier in this passage (cf. Matthew 10:2-4), Matthew called Jesus’ twelve followers apostles, not disciples, for the first time. Jesus promoted them from students to representatives. The first instructions they received as apostles showed that for a disciple to become an apostle, he or she must turn the love received from Jesus into love to share with others. Paul echoed this in his letter to the Thessalonians: to be representatives of Christ, to be his apostles, we must give thanks always.
- Jesus taught that acting generously is the natural and desired result of feeling gratitude. How do you show your gratitude for your teachers and mentors? Do you thank them by carrying on their teachings? How do you show your gratitude for Jesus’ teachings? Do you thank Him by carrying on his ministry of loving and healing His children?
- The church in Thessalonica (addressed in 1 Thessalonians) was a group of new Christians. How did Paul tell them to handle stress or uncertainty? How do you handle pressure differently because of your relationship with Christ, compared with how you handle stress alone?
Family Activity: God’s love is never-ending! Tell your kids you are going to play a measurement game. Give each child a measuring stick or tape and ask them to measure items around the house. Point to or holler out the name of possessions in your household (couch, cabinet, pets, toys, etc.) and have the kids measure each item individually. Invite them to shout out the measurements after each one. Keep the game moving quickly and give the kids lots of encouragement along the way.
After they’ve measured a few items, holler out, “Measure God’s love for us!” Watch as they think about what you have asked them to measure and talk about ways we can measure God’s love. Remind them that God’s love is too big to measure—it is bigger than anything in our home, the world and the universe! Thank God for His love that is bigger than we can ever imagine.
Jane has been a member of Resurrection since 2000, and served with distinction on staff in Adult Discipleship before stepping aside last summer. She continues to mentor young adults and is now serving families with their residential real estate needs.
As I read the passages and reflection questions today two words stood out to me: Disciple and Apostle.
I am not sure I have ever known the distinction between Disciple and Apostle. I have always thought they were interchangeable, but Apostle seemed a little more old-fashioned. It is a word that is rarely used today.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of a Disciple is "any follower of Christ." The definition of an Apostle is "any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world."
Our GPS today states:
(cf. Matthew 10:2-4), Matthew called Jesus’ twelve followers apostles, not disciples, for the first time. Jesus promoted them from students to representatives. The first instructions they received as apostles showed that for a disciple to become an apostle, he or she must turn the love received from Jesus into love to share with others.
The distinction between being a Disciple and being an Apostle is the act of doing. Being a student of Jesus is the first step. But when we "carry the Christian message into the world" in word and deed, and when we "turn the love received from Jesus into love to share with others," we are not only a representative of Christ. We become like Him.
I've shared my favorite Henri Nouwen quote many times, but it is worth repeating: "To know Love is to Lived Loved." How are you living loved?
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
- Ten lepers cleansed; one Samaritan grateful
- Prophetic perspective for a puzzled prisoner
- Touching the untouchable
- Jesus came to set free the oppressed
- A God who gathers outcasts
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
***
No comments:
Post a Comment