Daily Scripture: Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor[Matthew 5:43 Leviticus 19:18] — and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. 46 What reward do you get if you love only those who love you? Why, even tax-collectors do that!
Luke 23:34 Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them; they don’t understand what they are doing.”
They divided up his clothes by throwing dice.[Luke 23:34 Psalm 22:19(18)], 47 When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he began to praise God and said, “Surely this man was innocent!”,
Psalm 116:12 How can I repay Adonai
for all his generous dealings with me?
13 I will raise the cup of salvation
and call on the name of Adonai.
14 I will pay my vows to Adonai
in the presence of all his people. ,Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Prayer Tip: One of my favorite Bible stories is about Joseph. Jealous of Jacob's favoritism toward Joseph, his brothers sold him into slavery. He ended up in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Genesis 39:2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded at everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” Soon, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything in his house.
Then Joseph was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and jailed. While Joseph was in prison, the Bible again says God was with him and he gained the prison commander's favor. After interpreting some mysterious dreams, Joseph impressed Pharaoh and went from prison to helping rule Egypt. He ended up forgiving his brothers and moving them to the best land in Egypt.
This story amazes me. Joseph didn't give up and didn't get bitter. The story mentions that the Lord was with Joseph when he was sold into slavery, when he was a servant in Potiphar’s house and when he was in prison. The King of Kings remains with us in our lowest points. There is nowhere so low that God won’t go with us.
Most of us will probably never be wrongly imprisoned. But we might be falsely accused of a wrong workplace act, or someone may spread lying gossip about us. Our spouse may decide to leave us even though we've tried hard to make the marriage work. Sometimes business partners pull out of businesses and leave their partner struggling. It hurts when we suffer because of someone else's choices.
What would have happened if Joseph had given up or stopped giving his best effort? That would have greatly limited God's ability to work through him. If you are struggling right now, stay connected with God through prayer. God can work through the toughest situations, and help us bring good out of them.
Dear Lord, some days our brief life here on Earth feels very long. Please comfort and provide strength for all of us in difficult situations. Please let us feel that you are with us. Thank you for never leaving our side. Amen. (Ashly Cooley, Counseling & Support Ministries)
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You might also like:
- All ages united in praise and service
- A young psalmist’s prayer
- Another older-younger partnership
- A prophet’s “succession plan”
- Never alone
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Saturday, 04 August 2018 "All ages united in praise and service" Psalm 148:11-13 & John 17:20-23
Daily Scripture: Psalm 148:11 For the kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women alike,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of Adonai,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above both earth and heaven.(Complete Jewish Bible).
John 17:20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one — 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions: Psalm 148 and Jesus' prayer in John 17 both reflected a crucial reality. God calls all of us, of whatever age, to “be one” in the same remarkable, supernatural way Jesus and his Father are one. As Pastor Chris Abel puts it, the young need the wisdom, experience, and opportunities of older generations, and older generations need the idealism, energy, and hope of newer generations. We know that doctrinal, racial and social status divisions weaken the witness of God’s people. The same is true of age divisions—older Christians who don’t want “those young people” messing up their comfortable patterns, or younger Christians who see older Christians simply as obstacles to finally doing things right (i.e. in the ways they prefer).
- Jesus didn’t pray for unity based on human “niceness,” but on a truly cosmic reality he invited his followers to join: “I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (verse 21). Scholar N. T. Wright wrote, “Imagine some great figure of the past…. who you respect and admire. Imagine that historians have just found… a letter from the great man. And imagine that it was talking about—you! How would you feel? That is how you should feel as you read verse 20. Jesus is talking about you. And me.”* Hours before going to the cross, King Jesus was certain his kingdom would endure, conquer the world’s hatred and divisions, and in time reach you. How does your heart respond to Jesus’ prayer that you would learn how to live in unity with all members of his family, whatever your differences?
Family Activity: The kingdom of God is always stronger when we pray and serve together! Gather your family for prayer time and a treat. Pass around a bag of M&Ms. Invite each person to take a handful and hold onto the candy. Explain that the colors of the candy will direct your family prayer time. Tell your family members that for each green M&M they chose, they can pray for one friend. For each red M&M, pray for a neighbor. For every orange one, pray for a teacher at school or church. For every yellow one, pray for a family member. For each blue M&M, pray for a leader in our country or in the world. Pray one color at a time, giving each family member the opportunity to pray for whom he or she chooses. Celebrate by giving thanks to God and enjoy eating your M&Ms!
* N. T. Wright, John for Everyone, part 2. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p. 99.
Michelle Kirby is Resurrection’s Associate Director of Discipleship Ministries. She is co-author of the Journey 101 Course, provides shared leadership in the Adult Discipleship ministry and has been a member of Resurrection since 1998.
I have the privilege each summer to work closely with one of our summer interns. It always comes as a surprise when their 10-week work experience is completed. I feel like we’ve just begun to hit our stride when things are abruptly interrupted and it’s time for them to return to school.
One of the things I most enjoy about our church’s summer intern program is how these amazing college students infuse our church, our ministries, and our staff with new ideas, boundless enthusiasm and fresh perspectives. They have taken on substantial roles in our ministry, helping to shape what we do by giving feedback as well as sharing new ideas.
I remember a few summers ago. My team was thinking through how to promote our Alpha ministry and how to appeal to a younger audience. Our intern was in the meeting, helping us think things through. I was really excited about what I saw as a very cool mug with our Alpha logo. I thought it was sure to appeal to a younger coffee loving generation like him. I asked him, “Well—what do you think?” His response? “Well, my MOM would really like it.” Ouch.
He was able to push us in a different direction that challenged not only the way we were trying to tell people about Alpha, but about what younger people are actually interested in. He offered great insights and ideas that are still shaping how we do things.
Our ministry teams are much more animated when our interns are present. They bring energy and enthusiasm. I enjoy hearing about their dreams and plans for the future. But our internships aren’t just about what we can gain from them.
We hope they’re learning what it’s like to be in ministry, experiencing working in a professional environment and gaining wisdom and guidance from those of us who’ve been doing this for a while. I received a beautiful note from this summer’s amazing intern that said she felt “heard.” I’m not sure she could have said anything that made me feel better.
I think she captured something universal for all generations. To be heard. To be valued by one another and to allow all of our thoughts, dreams, wisdom, and experience to rub off and shape each other.
Multiple generations aren’t an accident--they’re God’s idea. Notice in today’s passages Scripture speaks of different generations. “Young men—young women too!—you who are old together with you who are young!”
As humans, we tend to gravitate to those who think and look like us, who share common ideas. When thoughts different from ours are introduced we have a choice. To listen with openness to learn, or brace ourselves to shut down anything new simply because it wasn’t our idea.
I’m not saying all new thinking is perfect—but without considering new ideas and learning fresh approaches, we become stale and malformed. We need to be shaken up, stretched, challenged and revitalized in our lives. That’s why it’s so important to learn from multiple generations (and multiple cultures for that matter). It enriches all of us.
God has designed us to live in community with one another for a purpose. To learn from one another yet be united in our love for one another and especially for Him. To worship Him and share Him throughout all generations and cultures.
So be willing to open your minds and hearts to those who think and look differently than you do. Allow your voice to blend with other voices to create a beautiful harmony that will enrich your life and bring glory to God.
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You might also like:
- A young psalmist’s prayer
- Another older-younger partnership
- A prophet’s “succession plan”
- Never alone
- A hero—but still human
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Friday, 03 August 2018 "A young psalmist’s prayer" Psalm 119:5-11
Daily Scripture: Psalm 119:5 May my ways be steady
in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame,
since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart
as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws;
don’t completely abandon me!
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions: Casual Bible readers may see Psalm 119 as just a novelty—the longest Bible chapter (it has 176 verses). But the psalm, probably by a younger person (verses 9-10), recorded a spiritual struggle we can face at any age. Pastor Donald Williams wrote, “The psalmist… has shame (v. 6), is in danger of wandering (v. 10), and is vulnerable to sin (v. 11). His soul clings to the dust (v. 25); he has heaviness (v. 28), is vulnerable to lying (v. 29) and covetousness (v. 36), and has gone astray (vv. 67, 176). His soul faints (v. 81), he cries for help (v. 147), and he needs deliverance.”*
- This young psalmist was serious about keeping his paths pure. “I have sought you with all my heart,” he wrote. Do you struggle with any of the issues the psalmist wrote about, as listed in the summary above? When has seeking God and God’s ways with all your heart made a positive difference in your life, instead of robbing you of joy or love?
- A Disciple Bible Study leader once said the Bible is “the only book you never finish reading.” Even in familiar passages, he said, he often found new depths. (Click here for schedule and registration information about upcoming Disciple groups.) How has God opened your eyes to new truths as you read the Bible? How do you let your reading shape your inner reactions and feelings, not just your factual understanding?
* Donald Williams, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 14: Psalms 73–150. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989, p. 343.
Ginger is a graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology. She and her husband Rob have a son, a daughter, and a high energy dog. She loves writing, conversations over coffee, and teaching spiritual classes.
The Psalms give us permission to have honest conversations with God. In 150 poems, we see the full range of human emotions from despair to joy, and everything in between. We believe the Psalmists likely ranged in age, spiritual maturity, and life circumstance.
In Psalm 119, the Psalmist makes reference to his or her young age. The Psalmist is expressing the universal struggle we humans have to be self-aware, follow the rules, keep our “paths pure,” and live in connection to God. Throughout our lives, this is our greatest work.
As Christians, at all ages, we wonder, “Am I doing the right thing? Am I doing things right?”
Most of us have thoughts of insecurity, doubt, and self-criticism on a daily basis. Feeling this way is part of the human experience. The young Psalmist captures the timeless struggle of doubting if we are good enough, doing enough, and giving enough.
Our task is to remember that people of all ages are wondering if they are doing the right thing and doing things right. Our calling is to trust the unconditional love of God, encourage one another, and serve as instruments of God’s love.
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
- Another older-younger partnership
- A prophet’s “succession plan”
- Never alone
- A hero—but still human
- Prayer Tip: We Can Do More Together
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Thursday, 02 August 2018 "Another older-younger partnership" 1 Timothy 4:8-15
Daily Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:8 For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come. 9 Here is a statement you can trust, one that fully deserves to be accepted 10 (indeed, it is for this that we toil and strive): we have our hope set on a living God who is the deliverer of all humanity, especially of those who trust.11 Command these things and teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth; on the contrary, set the believers an example in your speech, behavior, love, trust and purity. 13 Until I come, pay attention to the public reading of the Scriptures. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which you were given through a prophecy when the body of elders gave you s’mikhah. 15 Be diligent about this work, throw yourself into it, so that your progress may be clear to everyone.(Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions: Acts 16:1-3 told how the apostle Paul, just after parting from his long-time friend and partner Barnabas over a disagreement, enlisted a young man named Timothy to work with him. Timothy became a trusted coworker, who was soon given the responsibility to lead churches on his own. This letter encouraged Timothy to lead with confidence (verse 12), but also to “set an example” for believers, not using his youth as an excuse for any behavior that might weaken his ministry’s influence and effectiveness.
- Have more experienced Christians ever taken you under their wing to encourage you, to share their wisdom as you have grown in the faith, as Paul did with Timothy? Are you allowing God to work through your gifts and talents to mentor a family member, a friend, a person younger in the faith? How can you help to guide and support a newer Christian without becoming controlling or overbearing?
- Scholar N. T. Wright said, “We expect and want to be told that ‘spirituality’ is simply the sense I have of being in God’s presence, surrounded with his love, sensing a transcendent dimension in the affairs of everyday life. It comes as a shock to be told that it’s something you have to work at—and something, moreover, which will take the same kind of hard work as going into training for athletics.”* How’s your spiritual training—are you spiritually “in shape” or “out of shape”? Click herefor good ideas about how to “up” your spiritual training.
* N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: The Pastoral Letters. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p. 47.
Chris Abel is the Pastor of Students and Young Adults at Resurrection, and he describes himself as a "Pastor/Creative-type/Adventurer." A former atheist turned passionate follower of Christ, he completed his seminary education in Washington, DC. Before coming to Resurrection, Chris was a campus pastor near St. Louis, MO.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers…”
Hello church! First of all, I had a BLAST preaching this last weekend. Thanks to Pastor Adam and our worship team for the invite. Secondly, I am exhausted. Props to our senior pastor for being able to keep that pace up every week!
That being said, today’s bible passage brought to mind an article I read a few years ago by Rick Warren, author of the “The Purpose Driven Life.” I’ve never read it, but this article was excellent! Warren talks about the apostle Paul and how he mentored a young man named Timothy. The letter is, creatively, called… 1 Timothy. Ha.
In the article, Pastor Warren points out three stages of the relationship between the two men. He names them:
- Parenthood.
- Pacesetting
- Partnering.
Pacesetting is the stage where one person can emulate the other. This isn’t just between a child and a “parent” anymore. This is a stage that develops between a leader and protégé. (which, according to the dictionary, is “a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.”) A rabbi had disciples that could eventually become… rabbis.
Lastly, we reach the Partnering stage. Years later in their relationship, Paul writes in the book of Romans about Timothy. He says, “Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings.”
An inexperienced young man has now become a “fellow worker.” How cool is that?
Elisha, Timothy—whatever their name—Christianity has a huge legacy of investing in those who are younger than us. Our faith is a way of life that intertwines us: God, others, us. And sometimes things get in the way. Sometimes we’re just selfish with our time. (Netflix binge, anyone?) Sometimes we’re plagued with self-doubt. And sometimes we just don’t care. But you (yes you) have the potential to make an impact on a younger person’s life.
One way? Through our student and kids ministry programs at Resurrection. If you want to serve at Leawood, I’d love to partner with you! Just text “students” to (913) 298-8662. (Or text “kids” to serve in our children’s ministry!)
I know, a shameless plug. But worth it.
Chris
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
A prophet’s “succession plan”
Never alone
A hero—but still human
Prayer Tip: We Can Do More Together
Imagine—“to the end of the earth”
Or download this week's printable GPS.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Wednesday, 01 August 2018 "A prophet’s 'succession plan'” 1 Kings 19:19-21
Daily Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19 So he left and found Elisha the son of Shafat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he himself was behind the twelfth. Eliyahu went over to him and threw his cloak on him. 20 He left the oxen, ran after Eliyahu and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother good-bye; then I will follow you.” He answered, “Go; but return, because of what I did to you.” 21 Elisha stopped following him. Then he took the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them, cooked their meat over the wooden yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people to eat. Then he got up, went after Eliyahu and became his servant. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions: The Hebrew of these texts is a bit ambiguous. Differing English translations say that Elijah allowed Elisha to say goodbye—or he didn’t. Elisha immediately followed—or he didn’t. These ambiguities may reflect the confusion that surrounded passing the leadership mantle. Neither teacher nor student knew precisely how their new relationship would function. Despite their confusion, however, God had a plan for continued ministry. Elijah acted with great humility by anointing Elisha. He recognized that God’s ministry did not start and end with Him. For God’s work in the world to continue, Elijah had to realize it was time to step down.
- Have you ever been asked to step down from a leadership position? How did you handle the transition out of leadership? Was it awkward to train your successor? Was it a relief to discover that someone new would be taking over?
- Elijah became a mentor for Elisha. Not all mentor-mentee relationships are as clearly defined as this one. You may not carry the title of mentor, but someone nonetheless may be looking to you for guidance. You may not have identified any mentors, but there are likely people in your life that you look for to guidance. Who are you able to mentor? How are you passing on knowledge, experience, or responsibility to them? Who is mentoring you? How can you be more open to what they offer?
Jennifer Creagar is the Financial Care Program Director in Congregational Care at Resurrection Leawood. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
First, I have a confession. In reading today’s Scripture lesson, I got completely caught up with an unusual detail, and took a while to get past it. I mean, how exactly does one boil two oxen using “the equipment from the oxen?” I looked at commentaries. I asked my son Sam, who is a pastor with an M. Div. degree. I even “Googled” it. Not much explanation, but it seems to involve destroying the yoke and plow and other equipment that would have represented Elisha’s livelihood. Then I spent a few minutes contemplating the possibility of a biblical call to barbecue…
I do this sometimes. I read Scripture, knowing that it has something to tell me, but instead of listening or trying to understand, I get lost in details and bunny trails. It might just be because a detail catches my imagination and I am curious and lacking in attention. More often, it’s because it is a lot easier to wonder about how you cook oxen than it is to ponder an act of sacrifice committed in order to clear the way for God to work in my life.
It's not always easy to find the message in Scripture, and it’s not always easy to be faced with it when you do find it. Often, I don’t want to hear that there might be a yoke and oxen in my life that need to be destroyed so I can and will move forward with God’s plan. Sometimes I’m afraid of what I might have to give up. I stubbornly don’t see that the point is that God is trying to help me clear an obstruction.
It might not be as physical and visible as Elisha’s rustic cook-out. It might be attitudes, prejudices, old habits, or ways of thinking that are clogging up the path to God’s plan. Do you have a yoke and a plow that need burning and oxen that need cooking so you can give it all away and clear space for God’s plan? Let’s pray for each other as we move forward to new things in response to God’s call.
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
Never alone
A hero—but still human
Prayer Tip: We Can Do More Together
Imagine—“to the end of the earth”
All that’s gone…all that’s left
Or download this week's printable GPS.
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©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
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