When we serve our neighbors in the place we occupy together, our neighborhood, we share community experience. Our neighbor’s problems become our problems; what we want for our children we want for our neighbor’s children; the crime they experience we too experience. In other words, we take ownership in our neighborhood. It is our context for authentic service. Main Text: John 1:14

Focus:  Central to genuinely obeying and following Jesus is loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. If this is the case we naturally ask, “Who is my neighbor?” Who is it that we love and serve? What can we learn about Jesus and His will for us from this question? The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals that genuine, authentic Jesus-followers need to be aware and act upon the opportunities to help those with whom they come in contact. Main Text: Lk 10:25-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Focus:  If you were to apply for the job of servant in the Kingdom, what qualifications might you need listed on your resume? The good news is that all Jesus-followers are servants in the Kingdom. There are a few  characteristics that identify us as such: The greater among us serves the lesser; we look to the interest of others; and Kingdom servants are trustworthy in their service. The challenge for Kingdom servants is evident - these characteristics are 180 degrees out of sync with our culture. Main Text: Luke 22:27, Jn 13:1-15, Phil 2:4, 1 Cor 4:2, Lk 16.12

Here we tackle the idea of greatness. What does it mean to be great? The answer is totally counter-cultural and not often grasped even by Jesus followers. Our culture promotes competition to determine greatness, but in the Kingdom, competition has no place. Instead, simple and mundane service to others aligns us with the mission of Jesus. Serving in His name glorifies God and ascribes greatness to Him. Main Text: Mt 20:28; Lk 22:22-47

Focus:  Jesus not only came to save souls, but as the creator, sustainer, and reconciler of all things, to restore everything under His Kingdom reign. Jesus said of His mission, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God...because that is why I was sent.” The Kingdom good news is the restoration of all things. As Kingdom citizens and Christ’s ambassadors, this is our mission as well. We join God wherever He is working to restore everything sin has ruined. Jesus taught us that our mission always includes word and deed - preach the Kingdom and minister to the sick and oppressed. This is who we are as Kingdom citizens. Main Text: Lk 4:43, 9:2, 10:9; Col 1:15-20

Focus Jesus outlined his mission on earth in Luke 4:16-21 and lived it out with a strategy of including the excluded; challenging cultural practices by dignifying the under-resourced and underserved at risk to His own reputation; and advocating for the hungry, sick and imprisoned. His work of justice, and now ours as His ambassadors of reconciliation, is to restore and reconcile all things to God. Main Text: Lk 4:16-21; Col 1:19-20; 2 Cor 5:18-21

Focus:  By washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus modeled that the Kingdom norm involves serving others, even those we lead. What a counter-cultural notion for North Americans! But it’s true! Jesus took the humble position of a slave when He became one of us. Thus, Paul encourages us to set aside our selfishness that we may think of others as better than ourselves and put their interest before our own. What does this mean in the day to day of our lives? Main Text: Jn 13:1-17, Phil 2:7b, Phil 2:1-4

Focus:  Jesus did not serve from a distance. On mission to reconcile and restore all He created, Jesus emptied Himself of his heavenly status, sacrificially serving even to death for our sake. How deep the Father’s love for us! How vast beyond all measure! Our response? To empty ourselves for our neighbors’ sake, that they too will know the joy of confessing Jesus as Lord. Practicing “presence” with our neighbor is where it begins. Main Text: Phil 2:7a

Serving is the ministry of “people building into the lives of people who build into the lives of people” (disciples who make disciples). Jesus did this with his disciples and so did Paul with the people he discipled. Serving is not just for vocational church workers* - all Jesus followers are ministers and gifted to build life into others through serving. Our gifts are used within the church to build up the body of Christ for service, and for those not-yet believers who we connect to life in Jesus. We serve not to earn our way to God’s grace, but in response to His grace freely given. Serving, as Christ served, is our response to Christ’s ultimate act of servanthood on the cross for our sake and brings glory to God. Main Text: 2 Tim 2:2; Eph 2:8

Focus:  We need each other.  Relationships are a gift from God.  What a privilege to know one another beyond just a surface “Hello, how are you?” There is a gift beyond the quick, passing interaction on a Sunday Morning.  We blossom in developing deeper relationships that are authentic and safe. We can grow as we depend on one another. Who are YOUR people? Text: Daniel 3:1-18

Focus:  God has made our purpose very clear.  Love God.  Love Others.  This grand purpose gets lived out every day. We actively practice our purpose. As we gather weekly with each other we can check in with one another and see how that is going.  How are you doing at loving God with your whole heart, soul, strength and mind?  What is getting in your way of putting God first in your life.  How are you doing at loving your neighbor as yourself?  When we live life together we help one another focus on what God has asked us to do. Text: Luke 10:27

There is power in praising God for WHO HE IS. Gathering together in lifeGroup gives us an intentional time to remind one another of where we have seen God at work. We take time to focus on WHO God is and in turn receive the gift of praise. Text: Psalm 22:3; Psalm 8:2; Hebrew 12:2

Focus:  Meeting weekly, praying regularly, discussing God’s Word consistently with our friends--gifts given in rhythm! These patterns are life-giving. And, once established, can provide much-needed support when trials arise. Daniel knew just what to do when things got really tough, because he had an established pattern developed in his life.  What daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal,  and yearly patterns do you want to develop in your life? Text: Daniel 6:1-10

Focus:  When we live life together we begin to go the extra mile with each other. We get below the surface and really love one another.  The friends in the Gospel story for today would stop at nothing to get their crippled friend to Jesus.  They were persistent. What length are you willing to go to so your friends will get to see Jesus?  Text: Mark 2:3-5

Focus:  We have been commanded to make disciples who make more disciples.  We need to partner with one another in the spreading of the gospel.  Who is your Paul? (someone more mature than you) Who is your Timothy? (someone you can encourage)  The kingdom grows when we teach others what we have been taught so they can teach others.  With whom are you enjoying the gift of partnership? Text: 2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 18:24-27

Focus:  The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint.   We need to remind each other to continue on and not give up.  When we get tired and discouraged,  gathering together with other believers can help us persevere. And, what gifts are given when we do! Text: Hebrews 12:1b; Philippians 3:12-14

Focus:  The gift of being with others can help us throw off the sin that hinders (to be delayed, interrupted, have difficulty) and easily entangles (confused, perplexed) us. There is healing  that comes from confessing our sins to each other (James 5:16).  We must be careful to examine our own lives before ever approaching someone else’s. We are all sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness. There is a powerful gift in shared penitence.  Text: Hebrews 12:1a; Matthew 7:2-3

Focus:  It is important to continue meeting together and not give up on the rhythm of gathering together and encouraging one another.  Satan wants us to be isolated and alone, thinking we do not matter and can not make a difference.  We all lead busy lives. Our commitment or lack of commitment of living life together it is not a matter of time, but of priority. Our presence is a gift. Main Text: Hebrews 10:25

Focus:  When we live life together we get the privilege to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Heb 10:24)  We can be creative and encourage one another to go and try. We get to participate.  We get to join Jesus on His mission!  Jesus let the disciples participate in the feeding of the 5,000, he didn’t have to.  Where is he asking you to participate today? Text: Hebrews 10:24; Luke 9:10-17

Focus:  We can remind one another of the Promises of God and His faithfulness.  Our purpose is to help one another not waver in the hope that we have. Have you ever not wanted to go to lifeGroup? And then, when you were driving home you were thankful because you had been reminded of God’s promises. What a gift to be able to hold onto those promises throughout the week. Text: Hebrews 10:23; Matthew 28:20

Focus:  We can approach the throne of grace with confidence through prayer.  We have direct access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We can pray with BOLDNESS.  How are you doing in lifeGroup not just quick wrapping up with prayer?  Are your prayers just about those who are sick that need healing?  Are you boldly praying for your impact list?  Are you reaching out and asking for prayers from those in your lifeGroup?  Do you pray first and plan later?  Main Text: Hebrews 10:19-22

The engaged life is a life of living life together in community. There are indispensable gifts received when we live life together.  lifeGroup is one way to share life with one another while following Jesus and helping others on their journey of following Jesus.  We seek life transformation as we help one another in the context of a smaller group of people (outside of corporate worship). We need one another in order  to grow in our relationship with God and to actively engage our friends who are far from God.  lifeGroup is more than meeting once a week, we share life with one another.  lifeGroup is a safe and authentic place where we can care for one another as well as find ways to reach out and bless others in our surrounding communities.

Focus:  In any circumstance we can give God thanks for all He has done, and in so doing, glorify God as the Lord of our lives.  In every task, in every interaction, in every way we enjoy God’s creation, we can give Him thanks.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever. Main Text: Psalm 136

Worship is anything we do that glorifies God as the Lord of our lives.  God is love.  As we love each other, God’s love is evident in and through us.  Loving each other brings glory to God.  How can you, in each of your actions, show love to someone, and worship God? Main Text: 1 John 4:7-21

Focus:  Worship can be defined as “anything we do that glorifies God as Lord of our lives.”  If so, is anything more worshipful than obeying Him? Main Text: John 12:44-50

Focus:  Prayer is, simply put, speaking to God.  Our Holy God destroyed the barrier between us and Him through Christ’s death as payment for sin once and for all.  Because of this, we can approach God freely, and He wants us to pray.  We can pray individually and when we’re together.  We can pray for ourselves, but even more so for others.  God gives us access to the greatest love and the greatest power, Himself.  How can we help but pray? Main Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Focus:  God has given us His Word, He intends it for us. That means He wants us to hear it, to read it, and for us to learn it and then live according to it.  One of the greatest acts of worship is hearing and reading God’s Word for you, believing it is what God wants to say to you, and then living that out.  We do this in worship gatherings, in lifeGroup, with friends and family, and on our own. Main Text: Psalm 119:33-40

The life of a Christian is not something we do on our own.  While we are the sent ones, we are also the gathered ones. God chose us to be part of His one people, and He calls us to live in peace together.  Even our weekly pattern of worship is gathering together around His gifts, and as members of the body we are built and learn together, we encourage each other, and we lift our voices together.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Main Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Focus:  God paid the price to free you from the life in bondage to sin that you inherited and lived in.  The only sacrifice that could finally pay the price for all, is the one worth far more than anything else could be, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  You receive His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper every week, but how will you respond every day?Main Text: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Focus:  In baptism you are washed clean, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  You are part of God’s family, and all this has nothing to do with anything you could do, but is only because of God’s mercy.  We can start every day remembering our baptism and putting to death the old Adam.  As a recipient and beneficiary of God’s mercy, how will you respond? Main Text: Titus 3:5-8

You are a new creation! God brought you back to Himself through Jesus, you are forgiven!  And now this message of forgiveness is yours to share with others.  How will you respond? Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Focus:  The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, proceeds from the Father and the Son.  He is the movement of the Word in the World, and He has been sent to us, in our baptism, as our Helper.  He lives in us and through us, and motivates our living out the reality of the Gospel in all we do, and the sharing of the Gospel with our neighbors.  How do we, as those filled with the Holy Spirit, respond? Main Text: John 15:26-27, 16:7-15

Focus:  Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, Our Lord, came to live with us, was crucified, died and was buried, to pay for all of our sin, once and for all.  Because of Him, we are reconciled to God, the separation that our sin caused is gone, and our relationship is restored.  How do we, as reconciled brothers and sisters of Christ, respond? Main Text: Colossians 1:15-22

Focus:  God, the Father, is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  So, what does that make us?  How do we, as creatures, respond to the great I Am?  All of the works of His hands declare His glory, how can we?  Main Text: Acts 17:22-28

The engaged life is a life of worshipping the one true God.  In everything we do, we honor God, or someone else.  Our worship begins as a community, as we “join together to focus on Jesus, offer Him praise, and allow Him the space to speak to us.”  We receive the gifts God gives in weekly worship gatherings, and this posture of worshipping God extends through our week as the Holy Spirit impels us to worship God in everything we say and do.

The angels refrain, spoken to the women at the empty tomb, is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

The Coming King

The connecting life is an invitational life. And, timing is everything. The kind of invitation we are talking about here, is natural, not forced. It is freely given, not guilt-driven. The Gospel at its very core is an invitation, not a legalistic burden, right? As we approach the most holy week, who is God putting in front of you who needs some Good News? If the time is right, why not invite them to consider it? Main Text: John 4:39-42; Acts 5:41-42

The connecting life is a speaking life. As we live among others. As we over time, put this connecting lifestyle into practice, we will be asked to speak about the hope we have in Jesus. And, make no mistake, the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus is spread by speaking. People will not get this message through some divine osmosis. Someone has spoken the Good News to you. You are privileged to speak it to others. Main Text: 1 Peter 3:15-16; Romans 10:1-15

The connecting life is a patient life. Relationships take time. How long must we hang in there? Is our results-focused, goal-centered existence tainting our approach to our relationships? How long? How can I keep loving? The Psalmist gives us some clues. Main Text: Psalm 37:3-7

The connecting life is an agenda-free life. What might happen in our relationships if we were able to love no matter what? So much of our love is dependent on the behaviors of others. Is behavior modification our goal? Or is there something much more?  Main Text: John 13:1-21, 30; John 21:18-22

The connecting life is an enjoyable life. Can you imagine how much easier our invitations would be to accept if we exhibited a contagious abundance? So much of our witness has been about what we are against. As you watch Jesus in today’s story, where is he? What is he doing? Who is he with? And how does the church of His day respond? Who is God placing in front of you that just wants you to hang out with? Main Text: Mark 2:13-17

The connecting life is a listening life. As creatures created by God, we listen to our Creator. And, in honor of the ones placed in front of us, also created with unsurpassable worth, we listen. No doubt, most of us could stand to learn abit about listening with interest to those around us. We learn to listen in lifeWorship, lifeGroup, lifeServe. Who is God placing in front of you who simply wants you to listen? Main Text: James 1:17-19

The connecting life is a serving life. Serving with the ones whom God is placing in front of us. Mingling their gifts, their passions, their interests, their styles with ours. With, not merely to or for. No paternalism allowed! We are called to co-create flourishing spaces and places with God and with those who live there. It’s more than volunteerism for the church. It’s an invitation to bountiful hope. And it’s what we mean by lifeServe. Main Text: Matthew 20:20-28

The connecting life is a communal life. We live life together. It’s more than a tagline, it’s a promise. More than a cute slogan or pie-in-the-sky ideal, the communal life is a beautiful mess. And it’s what we mean by lifeGroup. Main Text: Acts 2:42-47

The connecting life is a worshipping life. All of life is worship. From beginning to end, from daybreak to nightfall, the Jesus-following life is set apart, distinct, non-conformed life. It is a breathless invitation from the God of heaven. And, it’s what we mean by lifeWorship. Main Text: Romans 11:33-12:2    

The engaged life is a connecting lifestyle.  All of my life is connected to Jesus.  Not parts, but the whole. As a result, all my relationships, and opportunities for interaction with others, are opportunities for life-giving connections. This is simple, not complex. Yet, in our compartmentalized reality, quite difficult. In fact, Jesus tells us that is impossible...on our own. It cannot be done without Jesus! Main Text: John 15:5

Pastor Jeff shares his "2015 Top 10 List" to help us remember what we discovered over the last 52 weeks and to help us answer the question, "What do I want to be different in 2016?" Click here to download the list> bit.ly/1RaBubL

To forget is human; to remember, divine. Pastor Jeff encourages us to take a look back at 2015 to help us remember what we've learned.

Focus:  It is such a blessing to be able to trust someone else with something that is important.  Imagine having full trust in a moving company to deliver on all of their promises, to pack everything up, get it where it needs to go, and set it all back up without losing or breaking anything.  As you Journey with Jesus into your neighborhood, what can you trust God to deliver?  Main Text: Luke 1:39–56

Focus: Sometimes we get so focused on what we’re expecting to see, that we can “miss the forest for the trees.”  As you Journey with Jesus into your neighborhood, what are you expecting to see? Main Text: Luke 7:18-35

Focus: John the Baptist, as the one announcing the coming of the King, was the voice calling out in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord.”  Making the path straight and bringing the high places low didn’t involve heavy machinery even then.  John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, a turning of the heart away from the former, and told people to live that out, to share what they had and to not take advantage of others.  What would the road construction look like in your neighborhood to make it ready for the King? Main Text: Luke 3:1–14

Focus: How long could it be kept secret if huge music star was moving into your neighborhood?  Even if you didn’t hear about it before, certainly their entourage would make it well known as they came down the street.  As we Journey with Jesus into the neighborhood, we find ourselves, as His disciples, part of His entourage.  What could keep you quiet? Main Text: Luke 19:28–40

Focus:  The end is coming, there is no doubt.  But it’s been nearly 2000 years.  And yet, we’re called to stay alert!  To not let the master find us sleeping.  When the master returns, will He find things in order, or will we be scrambling to clean up? Main Text: Mark 13:24–37

Focus:  Before Jesus comes again things are going to get crazy, and he says to watch out, but not to worry.  God will use the places you are put to give you opportunities to tell everyone about Him.  He’ll even give you the words to say. Main Text: Mark 13:1–13

Jesus gives us two very different “fly on the wall” looks at people from the perspective of the coming kingdom.  How do you act when no one can see? Main Text: Mark 12:38–44

Focus:  Jesus never said following Him would be the popular or cool thing to do.  He instead says “people will mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”  But then He says, “Be happy about it!  Be very glad!”  What? Text: Matthew 5:1–12

Focus:  The family you are born into has a profound impact on your life.  As sinners we’re all born into slavery.  But we have been set free by the Son, and through baptism we’re born into God’s family.  What legacy have you been born into?  What will your legacy be? Main Text: John 8:31–36

Focus:  There is a pretty big difference between “difficult” and “impossible”.  For people who trust in and find security in blessings, and in their ability to store up God’s blessings, it is difficult to trust in and find security somewhere else.  And it is impossible enter the kingdom of heaven by trusting in anything you or another person can do.  As you look to your future, and consider things like financial stability, savings, and investing, where is your trust?  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:23–31

Focus:  What is the one thing you wouldn’t give up?  Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Often are our hearts tied to money, sometimes to our surprise, because other goals or desires in life have money or wealth as an intermediate step.  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:17–22

The only reason Moses allowed divorce was as a concession to the hard heart of the people.  Instead of receiving the kingdom like a little child, just as it is, we often try to make it fit what we want.  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:2–16

Focus:  Walking with Jesus isn’t being part of an exclusive clique where we keep His things for ourselves.  While we wouldn’t say that we exclude others, how often are we skeptical of or do we look down on others who call themselves Christians but aren’t part of our Lutheran heritage?  Instead looking to defend our blessings from those outside, Jesus points us inward when looking for problems.  Jesus, speak, “be opened” and free us from an us vs. them mindset and those attitudes and desires within us and in our own circles that cause us to sin. Main Text: Mark 9:38–50

Focus:  Big ego and selfish ambition aren’t just discouraged among followers of Jesus, they actually get in the way of our following Him.  They are distractions, causing us to miss the things He is teaching us, and causing us to miss opportunities to share His love with and serve those around us.  Jesus, speak “be opened” and free us from the blockage of our selfish ambition. Main Text: Mark 9:30–37

Focus:  Ask Jesus to Be Opened.  Take the things that close your heart to the cross. Main Text: Mark 9:14–29

Focus: Be Opened! The door to your heart should always be open. Main Text: Mark 7:24–37

Focus:  There is a cosmic battle raging.  With clear eyes, filled with Jesus life and God’s Word to make plain what is actually going on, we can see through the lies and distractions of the world to what is really going on.  With hearts that are full of Him, and with His love for others, we are protected and victorious in the battle.  He has already won, and He powers us to stand firm in Him against the relentless onslaught of the enemy, and to share His love, the message of salvation, and the victory with all those around us.  Jesus will not lose a single person His Father has given him.  We can’t lose!
Main Text: Mark 7:14–23

Focus:  What does it look like when your heart is far from your spouse, or from your parents/children?  This is Jesus’ condemnation, quoting Isaiah, of those in the religious establishment of His day.  They were more concerned with how they looked, where other people thought their hearts were, than they were with where their hearts really were.  In contrast, Paul tells us that the relationship between Jesus and the church, us, is that of a husband and wife.  Main Text: Mark 7:1–13

Focus:  What colors your reality?  Do you take Jesus at His Word, or do you evaluate Him based on your understanding?  Some believed Him and some didn’t, and it’s no different today.  His disciples, even struggling with what Jesus said, responded to His challenge, “Lord, to whom would we go?  You have the words that give eternal life.”  Do you search God’s Word like a treasure map with your eyes looking to find how you can get  “eternal life”?  Or do you treat it as the authority on life, the source of wisdom with the power to change you and clear your eyes?. Main Text: John 6:51–69

This life, the journey we are called to, would be too much for us alone.  But, just as God chose us, He feeds us, clothes us, and shows us.  This new life is the life of Christ.  And He is the strength for the journey. Main Text: John 6:35–51

Focus:  What is greater, the gift, or the giver?  What do we spend time thinking about?  Appreciating?  When we worry about things that are gifts, what does that say about our trust in the giver?  When we spend our time trying to gather up and store gifts, or when we measure others by the gifts they have, where are our hearts?  We have been gifted to share, not to compare.  Comparing misplaces the glory rightly due only to God, the source, and divides the body.  Sharing His gifts, instead,  builds the One Body up in love, and glorifies Him. Main Text: John 6:22–35

Focus:  God doesn’t pick people based on their faith, or their control of fear.  He, instead, establishes our trust by loving, comforting, promising, and by reminding us through signs.  The Father works faith in us by His Spirit, and by that Faith Jesus dwells in our hearts.  We are One Body, faithed to life with Jesus. Main Text: Mark 6:45–56

Focus:  Life without God is life without hope.  It is the life of a sheep without a shepherd to gather, protect, care for, lead toward peace and rest, and toward food.  But God sent Jesus, the righteous branch, the good shepherd.  Not only did Jesus gather up Jews, but Gentiles too. His sacrifice broke down dividing walls of hostility in the flesh, and the dividing wall of hostility between God and man’s sin.  He cared for and cares for us, and gathers us all into One Body, together with each other and with Him. Main Text: Mark 6:30–44

Focus:   John relayed God’s call for people to repent, God’s announcement of His own coming, and God’s work of making the path straight.  Left to ourselves, we would all reject the condemnation, the call to repent, and would try and get out of it.  But, God is the one standing with the plumb line, building a new wall that is straight.  He is the one with the plan.  He is the one who chooses us. He is the one who makes us His.  It has always been His plan to unite all things in Heaven and on Earth together in One Body in and through Christ. Main Text: Mark 6:14-29

Focus:  Does God’s chosen method of delivery sometime seem to make things more difficult than they have to be?  It can be hard to get past personal history with someone to be able to see what God is doing.  Paul tells us that it is when he is at his weakest, that he is actually strongest.  What?  In our weakness we rely more on God, God’s power is most clearly evident, and He alone is glorified.  How might you step out from behind the curtain, to make more of God? Main Text: Mark 6:1–13

Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone?  What if you could take their pain and suffering, and give them some of what you have?  This is real generosity, giving not only out of excess, but giving and sharing even when you will feel the impact.  Do you trust that God has and does give generously to you even when situations seem hopeless?  Main Text: Mark 5:21–43

Focus:  Sometimes as we follow Jesus, we are the ones standing in our own way.  We tend to make inferences about Jesus and His work that are based on assumptions from our own experiences and observations.  These inferences and assumptions can often keep us from being open in the moment.  How you respond in crisis, or to rebuke, often shows what you assume to be true.  And what you expect from and think of God is often clear in what you are open to receive from Him. Main Text: Mark 4:35–41

Focus:  “You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.”  “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”  In Jesus’ time, one might have said, “Don’t judge the size of the plant by the size of the seed” or “The plant grows whether or not the gardener understands how.” God’s kingdom is no small thing, but it can be easy for us to judge based on what we see, and to get discouraged when we don’t see the results we want, or expect. Main Text: Mark 4:26–34

Blood is thicker than water, the saying goes.  Jesus, however, defines His family as those who do God’s will. There is one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, and no division in God’s family.  We are ushered into the family of God through the waters of baptism into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  The thickest blood, it turns out, is the blood of Jesus, which covers us with Jesus, who did God’s will.

Main Text: Mark 3:20–35

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The singular God says, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves.”  God also says, “Look, I have given you..”  So which is it, us or I?  How can a man be born again?  How could all the people hear the preaching in their own native tongue at Pentecost?  Does our belief follow our eyes and understanding?  Or does our belief flow from God’s Word?

Main Text: John 3:1-17

Focus:  Why did Jesus want the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until He sent the Spirit?  He seems to give the Spirit a lot more credit than we do today.  From life given to animated dry bones, to tangible wind and flames over the heads of people who suddenly could all understand each other in their own language, these experiences with the Holy Spirit seem more like what Jesus talked about.  The disciples were quick to recognize and to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit.  Do you regularly look for and recognize the work of the unleashed Spirit, and the life He has breathed into you? Main Text: John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15

Focus:  Too often we act like we are not part of this world.  Or that if we have been unleashed, it is from the responsibility toward the world.  We huddle together, like the disciples in the upper room, instead of living our faith outside the surroundings and safety of other Christians.  Jesus’ prayer for His people, as He is leaving the world, is recorded for their benefit and for ours.  God will protect us and keep us from the Evil one, He will teach us His word, which is truth, and we are not separated from the world, but we are sent into it, not to become like the world, but to be like Jesus in the world. Main Text: John 17:11b–19

Focus:  Jesus loved us like the Father showed Him love.  We are to love each other like Jesus showed us love.  Jesus loved the Father by following His commands, so we’re supposed to love Jesus by following His commands.  His command is simply to love each other.  Why doesn’t the world know Christians as people who give up their lives for each other and by how much we love? Main Text: John 15:9–17

Focus:  The Lord works to prune from our lives those things that threaten to hold us back from living as His instruments.  He cuts the leashes that we so willingly accept or even put on ourselves.  The connection that He has remade, the one we were created to have, is connection to Jesus, the true vine, the source of all of our life and good things.  What might Jesus be working to prune in your life today, to free you to blossom? Main Text: John 15:1–8

Focus:  The Good Shepherd willingly gave up His life for His sheep.  With His resurrection He was unleashed on His flock and the world.  Could there possibly be a better Shepherd to follow, than one you know will give up His life to keep you, because He already has?  Main Text: John 10:11–18

Focus:  Moses and the prophets (the Old Testament) point to Jesus as the Messiah, and as such, everything had to come true.  As this message is proclaimed to the whole world, in the authority of the name of Jesus, the announcement to all is, “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.”  And just as the disciples were unleashed as the witnesses, with the promise of the coming Holy Spirit, so we are still witnesses to this, today.  

Main Text: Luke 24:36–49

Focus:  “Peace be with you!” Jesus says three times here.  The second time it’s clearly not because they are still afraid.  Jesus sends the disciples out, as God sent Him, as instruments of peace, between God and man.  He unleashes them and us upon the world with the message of peace and the power of forgiveness.  Peace has been made between God and man, between God and you. Main Text: John 20:19–31

Focus:  Mary didn’t first think back to Jesus words about His resurrection when she saw that His grave had been opened, she assumed the stone must have been rolled away from the outside.  Jesus said that He would rebuild the temple in three days.  What an amazing truth, that defies the very fundamental things we know about life.  The grave couldn’t hold Him, instead, the resurrected Jesus is unleashed! Main Text: John 20:1–18

Jesus comes to Jerusalem fulfilling prophecy, entering humbly on a donkey’s colt, yet as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord”.  He comes to be lifted up in glory on the Cross in order to cast out “the ruler of this world” and draw all people to Himself.  Church, journeying with Jesus we are called to rejoice greatly as our King comes with salvation. Main Text: John 12:20-43.

In the midst of Jesus telling His followers for the third time that He would be killed and raised, with even more details, they can’t seem to focus on what is at hand, and are still, STILL talking about who would be the greatest.  This time, two of them ask Jesus to do whatever they ask.  Maybe they thought if He said, “OK” He would be bound to give them what they want.  Instead Jesus reminds them AGAIN that being concerned about yourself will get you nowhere in the kingdom, and that among those who would follow Jesus, the ordering begins with the slave of everyone. Main Text: Mark 10:35-45.

Light is dangerous if you’re worried about others seeing you.  If you use the light to navigate, you’re drawn to it, it is life.  Those feeling the weight of their sin and the need for help by the power of God’s Spirit found the Savior, the Light to gravitate toward.  Those too proud, unwilling to give up control, and who denied that there could be only one way scurried for the cover of darkness, either by fleeing or by trying to extinguish the light.  Are you drawn to the gift? Or do the implications scare you away. Main Text: John 3:14-21

Have you ever returned home to find things a bit out of order?  Jesus returns to His Father’s house, the Temple in Jerusalem, and sees that sacrifices have become a financial business.  Those in the Temple didn’t recognize His authority, and certainly didn’t understand how He could rebuild the Temple in three days.  What is God’s Temple today?  Is it in order?   Main Text: John 2:13-22

Following Jesus isn’t a spectator sport.  Really following means being like Jesus.  Just as Jesus willingly submits to the will of His Father, even when it is painful, we also must submit.  Jesus’ call is for our whole life, every part, our understanding, our love, even our trash.  We are called to submit our whole life to Him, to pick up our cross and follow Him, and He wants to set our whole life straight.  Main Text: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus makes things right.  The first steps in Lent, Journeying with Jesus, are only possible because God came to us to return us to Him.  It’s not a relationship realized only later, after we die, but it has already begun. What should change when you’re walking with God? 

Focus: There can be no question, for those who see the very glory of God in Jesus.  With Moses, a veil was needed so that the people could even stand it.  Jesus got rid of that veil, of the separation between God and man.  The only veil that still exists is over the hearts of those who don’t know Jesus.  For those who saw this, Jesus commanded silence, because it wasn’t time yet for his broad revelation, but ever since His revelation, death and resurrection, He has commanded not silence, but witnesses who reflect the same glory He radiates through their words and lives.Main Text: Mark 9:2-9

Focus: Jesus came to preach the Good News, God came to man to restore the relationship established at creation.  Jesus, true God, bears God’s almighty power, and that power continues to be demonstrated chiefly by His mercy and compassion.  His preaching frees people from the shackles of the world, His death and resurrection frees us all from the shackles of sin, in His very life and by His command He made time to free people bound by sickness and possession.  He makes things right, re-creating as He goes.  We, as His hands and feet today, continue His re-creative work that will be made full and perfect when He returns.Main Text: Mark 1:29-39

Focus: When God speaks, reality is created.  The Prophets are God’s mouthpiece, speaking His words, and as such, they carry His authority.  When Jesus taught, it was clear he wasn’t just regurgitating what He heard from other men, He spoke with the authority that God’s mouthpieces have.  As such, all creation is subject to the reality Jesus spoke, even the evil spirits are bound to obey when the Word of God speaks.  

Main Text: Mark 1:21-28

Focus: Everywhere He went, Jesus changed things.  Fishermen - Drop your nets, and come fish for men.Condemners - Are you blameless?  What is He redefining today?  Main Text: Mark 1:14-20

Focus: God wants all people to know Jesus, to come to the knowledge of the Truth.  But we don’t always recognize Him, even though He is always right here with us.  Like with God calling Samuel, Jesus knew and chose Nathaniel before Nathaniel ever knew who Jesus was.  People need to be known, we are by very definition relational beings.  Who do you know who needs to recognize that Jesus has known them forever, and loves them totally? Main Text: John 1:43-51

Focus:  John had one purpose, to prepare the way for God’s Messiah.  John baptized many people, but in only one case did the heavens split open, the Holy Spirit visibly descend like a dove, and God’s voice audibly speak that, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”   The very presence of God on Earth is seen in the baptism of Jesus, and through our baptism into His life, death and resurrection, we are part of the Body of Christ, the Church, God’s dwelling place on Earth. Text:  Mark 1:4-11

Focus: God honored Solomon’s request when of all things he asked for wisdom to govern God’s people from David’s throne.  Wisdom on the throne.  This is God’s gift as seen in Jesus, at the temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus lived and spoke with and from a wisdom and understanding that was baffling to all who encountered Him.  Where does your wisdom and understanding come from? Main Text: Luke 2:41-52