Global Week: Over the Threshold
Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
You call us on - again. You call us deeper into You - again. You call us to lives of costly sacrifice - again. You call us to ‘fear not’ - again.
Give us the courage to encourage each other as we follow Jesus, who gave entirely of Himself, out into the neighbourhoods of the world where He is calling us to be.
Help us be Your ‘again and forever’ people.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scriptures:
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:16-19
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:14-18
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As a church, we believe God calls and equips us to proclaim “Good News to the Poor.” This week, we heard a timely message from our global people that challenged and encouraged us to consider what this calling looks like in our own lives and community.
Below are some discussion prompts that have sprung from that kōrero. We hope they help us reflect, listen to one another, and consider how we might respond to God’s call to bring good news to those who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalised.
Discussion Guide:
“What is God up to and where is He moving?”
What does the Luke 4 passage tell us about what Jesus was up to?
How might the disciples’ response to Jesus in Mark 1 be a template for our response now?
How do we make sure we hear what God is saying to us?
What does obedience look like?
What does obedience to what God is saying to you right now look like?
“What is God saying at this time and what are we doing about it?”
What new threshold is God calling you to cross?
How might crossing this threshold be costly and sacrificial?
Who might you gather together to “dream kingdom dreams”?
What are some examples of “kingdom dreams”?
What generosity is God calling you to exhibit for His kingdom?
Give. Pray. Go.
What does each of these three words mean for you/your house/your neighbourhood right now? How are you responding to each one?
“Fear not!” Name the fears and worries that stop you from following God into the harder places of this world.
Practice:
Give, Pray, Go.
This week go on a prayer walk and seek the Lord as to what you might give this year, in support of our mission as a church.
Spend time praying and seeking God - as individuals and as communities - about what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go.
Spend time praying for the people in our overseas communities.
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.