Wed, 25 September 2013
The Israelites think the grass is greener on the other side. Forget having God lead them. They want an earthly king like all the other nations have. God meets them where they are at, and grants their desires. We hear about kings like Saul, David, and Solomon. Their power and pride often cause them to stray from God. Yet God never abandons his people. He patiently shepherds his fickle sheep. Will you stay faithful to God? Text: 1 Samuel 8:5-22 |
Fri, 20 September 2013
God continues to focus on his community of people as he shapes their identity and mission. Identity as God’s people is formed by faithfulness in obeying the mission God lays before them. His people are to be priests representing a holy God in the midst of a broken and corrupt humanity, mediators of God’s covenant. God also teaches his people that he is faithful to his promises as he leads them into the Promised Land. From where does your identity and mission come? Text: Psalm 119:41-48 |
Tue, 10 September 2013
To save us from ourselves and to mend the broken cosmos, God continues the work of new creation by choosing to bless all people through one family. God calls Abraham to leave his three sources of security: his country, his relatives, and his father’s house. With that sending, God also gives Abraham a promise – a covenant that impacts all generations, including us! God shapes his community to understand who he is and what he is doing. How is God working in your life to help you understand who he is? Text: Genesis 12:1-3 |
Wed, 4 September 2013
Creation is about gift-giving. It is amazing how many gifts God gives to mankind in and through his creation. Catastrophe comes when man rejects God’s gifts in favor of man-made substitutes. What are those gifts, and what are the consequences of rejecting God’s gifts? Will you receive all that God has for you? Text: Genesis 1:26-2:4; 2:15-23 |