The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Saturday, 13 August 2016 - “Go and make disciples”
Daily Scripture: Matthew 28:16 So the eleven talmidim went to the hill in the Galil where Yeshua had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they prostrated themselves before him; but some hesitated. 18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
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Reflection Questions:
Once God finds us, he doesn’t want us to just sit idly by and watch God search for others. The risen Jesus commissioned his followers to serve him by being his witnesses, making disciples, baptizing and teaching. His “marching orders” were that we take an active part in the work of calling all our neighbors back to God. And we never go alone—he promised to be with us always.
- In Isaiah 43:10, the prophet quoted God as saying, “You are my witnesses, says the Lord, my servant, whom I chose, so that you would know and believe me and understand that I am the one. Before me no god was formed; after me there has been no other.” A witness, of course, testifies to something that he or she has actually experienced. In what ways has your life been reshaped by the risen Lord’s love and life? Will you accept God’s call, and be a living witness to what you have experienced?
Lord Jesus, amazingly, challengingly, wonderfully, I am a key part of your strategic plan to reach the world. Grow me into a person who joyfully lives out your commission. Amen.
Family Activity:
Read Matthew 7:12[Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.]. This is what is often called the Golden Rule. Hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards. These are just for each individual and God. Each day, work towards having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat our neighbors near and far with kindness, forgiveness and grace.-------
Insights from Dave Robertson
Dave Robertson is the Director of Community Life at The Church of the Resurrection’s West Campus.My small group has been studying what it means to live missionally in your neighborhood. Then the sermon series began about neighboring. Is God trying to tell me something? I know many of my neighbors as we have an annual Christmas block party and occasional parties to welcome new neighbors, usually hosted by another Resurrection couple, Randy and Helen Duncan.
I am an introvert which means when the work day is completed, having had many conversations with many people, I usually want to pull into my garage, close the door and spend time alone in the man-cave or listening to Diane talk about her day. have neighbors who love to talk, and many times I just feel anti-social by that point in the day. I love them as people, but I’m ready for my space. Through this small group study and sermon series, I have been challenged to live outside of my box and make a bigger difference in my own neighborhood.
We had our next door neighbors and across the street neighbors over for a cookout one night just to say thanks for being fantastic neighbors to us. Last week, we invited some neighbors to the Royals game. These neighbors are fairly new to the neighborhood, we see them out walking almost nightly and have had some nice chats. Spending time together at the Royals game gave us a great chance to get to know one another. I found out their stories and was deeply moved by their life events. My wife Diane asked if they had a church home and they said no. When we arrived home we talked about whether we should have invited them to church right then and there. Part of me says, “Yes!” Another part of me believes invitation to the Christian life happens in the context of sharing life with one another. As we get to know them, and they us, that will open the door for invitation and fellowship.
Which is the right method? To be honest, I’m not certain. What I do know is we are called to invite and connect with unchurched people in ways that will lead them to Christ. Jesus commands, “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, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” Discipleship cannot be forced onto anyone, but should always happen in the context of loving relationships.
So my goal for my neighbors is to love them no matter what. Be an example, much like Helen and Randy, of what a deeply committed Christian looks like. And invite them into a journey with Christ that is life-giving and community based.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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