Rewired by Ryne Sickel

Sprout Up. Branch Out. (Grounded Emblem) Grounded â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.â&#x20AC;? Matthew 13:31-32

2,000 years ago, a Jewish Rabbi named Jesus lived an unconventional life and practiced an uncommon freedom. Today, culture screams at us to live frantic, overwhelmed and self-absorbed lives. But we yearn for another way to live: more connected, simpler. By practicing living life the Jesus way, we can learn how to recondition and retrain our minds for freedom. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do that together.

The Eight-Week Journey

WEEK TITLE PAGE 1 Community 2 Silence and Solitude 3 Scripture 4 The Worship Experience 5 Sabbath 6 Simplicity 7 Evangelism 8 The Dinner Project

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Rewired: Life the Jesus Way. This book is your guide on an eight-week journey geared toward helping you discover (or rediscover) the freedom found in living life the Jesus way. Over the next eight weeks, we will be looking at several different practices of Jesus and learning how we can apply them to our lives. Each week contains five days of material. The material is designed to be consumed one day at a time, so do your best to work through it slowly. At the end of each day is an action step that will take you anywhere from five to fifteen minutes to complete. Do them. You will only get out of this experience what you put into it. Our hope and prayer for you is that this will be a life-giving experience. Enjoy!

COMMUNITY

Week 1

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And all who believed were together and had all things in common. Acts 2:44

Day 1 BETTER TOGETHER “Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us.” -Henri Nouwen The Christian journey was not designed to be taken alone. God created us for community. He knew that life would be hard--hard enough that we would need to rely on others. The world throws everything from broken relationships to financial issues at us, and God places us in community to help guide us along the path. Yet, we consistently stray from the original design. To get us back on track, God sent His Son Jesus to take our place on the cross as the perfect permanent sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16). This is the Gospel that we are to share with others (Matt. 28:19-20) and it is the grace by which we are saved. Jesus also gave us the perfect model of the way we are to live. So in order to live life the Jesus way, it is essential that we have community. When Jesus began his ministry, his first order of business was to gather a group of friends to take the journey with him.

Matthew 4:18-22 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

This story never gets old. Think about how the greatest movement the world has ever seen was started. The Messiah, God’s Son, walked down to the Sea of Galilee and invited four ordinary fishermen to join him on the journey. There are a number of reasons Jesus did this but the most basic reason is that he understood the design. This movement we now call Christianity, was designed to be done together. So Jesus starts with four fishermen, and then eventually adds a tax collector, a zealot, a skeptic, and five other ordinary men, including one (Judas) who would later betray him.

Jesus assembled a rag-tag group of guys and spent the next three years doing everything with them. He taught them how to love, how to teach, and how to turn the other cheek. In short, he taught them how to live. Life is better when it is done together. Allowing people into your life can be a scary thing, but it is an essential part of learning how to be more like Jesus. For better or worse, we are all in this together so it is time to learn how to thrive in community.

ACTION STEP Text one person God has placed in your life today and thank them for everything they have done for you.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Since we know the importance of understanding the Gospel message (John 3:16) and sharing it with others (Matt. 28:19-20), what might this look like in your life and the community you are part of? • Who are three people you know God placed in your life for a reason? • What does the importance of community tell us about the God who created us? • Jesus chose ordinary people for an extraordinary task. What does that mean for you? • What can you do to improve the community God has given you?

Day 2 BLIND SPOTS “The one indispensable requirement for producing godly, mature Christians is godly, mature Christians.” -Kevin DeYoung Trying to live like Jesus on your own is the equivalent of attempting to win a team sport without any teammates. It doesn’t matter how good you are at basketball, you aren’t going to win if you are by yourself playing against five opponents. Christianity is a team sport. We are all working together toward the same goal: to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20). One of the main reasons we need teammates is because we all have blindspots. No matter how good we think we are, we all have areas in our lives that need improvement. Often times we need other people to help us see them. Peter is a great example of this. Jesus always kept Peter close because, although he meant well, he had a lot of blind spots to work through. Let us look at an example in Matthew 16. Matthew 16:13-17 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! Good work Peter! You answered correctly. But look at what happens a few verses later. Matthew 16:21-23 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Peter is hot and cold. He gets it right one moment, then Jesus calls him â&#x20AC;&#x153;Satanâ&#x20AC;? in the next. There are several examples; Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water, then doubts and starts to sink; Peter tells Jesus he will never leave his side, then denies him three times. Peter had blind spot but Jesus was always willing to lovingly help him see them. Take some time to read John 21. After everything was said and done, Jesus rose from the dead, found a defeated Peter (who had gone back to fishing), and restored/empowered him. We have blind spots, too. But Jesus is waiting patiently, ready to help us work on them. That is why He calls us to surround ourselves with other Christians who can pick us up when we fall down, hold us accountable when we are trying to change, and encourage us when we loose site of the vision.

ACTION STEP Who do you have in your life pointing out blind spots? Send a text to three of them and ask them if they would be willing to lovingly help you see a blind spot.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Peter doubted Jesus on many occasions and denied him three times. That’s a pretty bad track record. In John chapter 21 Jesus forgave Peter by restoring him. • What did he tell Peter to do and how should that make us feel about our own shortcomings and relationship with Jesus? • Does Jesus give us a calling too? Explore those thoughts below.

Day 3 EVERYONE WITH A GIFT Every Christian is a part of a much bigger story. And we all have an important role to play in the narrative. No one person can do everything but if we are content to use the gifts given to us, together we can do something incredible. The twelve disciples were a very diverse group. The ones we hear about a lot had strong leadership skills, but they had other guys around them helping them accomplish all the things they accomplished. Andrew is the best example of this. Jesus had an inner three. Their names were Peter, James, and John and they got to join Jesus on his smaller missions (Matthew 17:1, Matthew 26:37). Andrew is the natural fourth member. He is Peter’s brother and grew up fishing with John and James. However, he does not make the group. Why? The Bible never tells us explicitly, but one plausible answer is because he didn’t need to be. While Peter, John, and James had strong personalities and a tendency to argue about who is greatest (Luke 22:24), context clues in Scripture hint that Andrew was a humble and stable servant who didn’t need praise. Andrew doesn’t get his name in all the stories because he wasn’t leading the charge. Instead, he was willing to be the glue holding everything together. One day, Jesus was teaching a large crowd by the Sea of Tiberias. It was getting late and everyone was hungry, but instead of sending them home for dinner, Jesus decided to feed them. The disciples protested, saying “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little” (John 6:6). However, Andrew stepped up to the plate and offered a solution: John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” Have you ever met someone with quiet faith? Someone who is confident enough in their identity to be in the background yet strong enough in their faith to step up when the moment comes?

Those people are invaluable for the Kingdom of God. Even though they rarely get the credit they deserve. Some people are called to be Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and others are called to be Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. At the end of the day, everyone is on the same team and all the glory goes to God. The beautiful thing about being part of the body of Christ is everyone has a role to play. Community works best when everyone is willing to be the person God created them to be. So what are your gifts? What is God calling you to bring to your group?

ACTION STEP Make a list of all the gifts you bring to the table. Go through the list and give yourself a letter grade on how well you are using each one. Celebrate the ones in which you are succeeding, and make a plan to better utilize the ones in which you are lacking.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Read 1 Corinthians 12:12 through 13:13. • What is the importance of the “body of Christ” and the importance of each person’s gift?

Day 4 IRON SHARPENS IRON Living in community is not always easy. We all have different opinions, personalities, and world views. So when we live in close proximity with other humans, the results are not always pretty. The twelve disciples were no exception. There were several interesting dynamics within the group. One that is often overlooked is between Simon the Zealot (not Simon Peter, there were multiple Simons) and Matthew the Tax Collector. To understand why this was so scandalous, we first need to know who these people groups were. Tax Collectors: Jewish men hired by the Romans to collect taxes from their own people. Zealots: An ancient Jewish sect that fought for freedom from the Romans. At the time, Rome ruled the majority of the known world. To manage this vast world, they needed a large military. And how do you fund a military effort that large? You tax the very people you are oppressing. In other words, the tax collectors were traitors. They sold out to the Romans, to make money for themselves. The Zealots could not stand them. Now, imagine the first time Matthew and Simon met. “Simon, meet Matthew, he was a tax collector, but now he is on our team.” It’s hard for us to wrap our minds around how much initial hate they probably had for each other. So why did Jesus do that? Nothing Jesus did was an accident. This is where the genius of community begins to show. As Christians, we are called to extend an extraordinary amount of grace to every person we meet. Jesus said it this way: Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Easier said than done right? But imagine these two men going through three years of ministry together. As they watched Jesus love everyone, heal everyone, and ultimately go to the cross, think about what was happening to their bitterness towards each other.

Do you see it? They managed to put aside their differences and unite together for a greater cause. That is the beauty of community. It sheds light on how minuscule our problems are in light of the weightier issues in life. Life in community is difficult. There will always be people with whom we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see eye to eye. But when we remember what Jesus did for us, we can embrace those differences and see them as opportunities to show the same love and grace to others that Jesus showed to us. Proverbs 27:17 says it best: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

ACTION STEP Think about one person God has placed in your life who you struggle to see eye to eye with. Why is it so difficult for you to get along with them? What do you need to own up to on your end? Write them a letter, asking for their forgiveness. That may not seem fair, but remember, that is the whole point of Gospel. What Jesus did for us wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fair. Our job is to do our best to become more like Him. You can decide if you want to give them that letter or tear it up and throw it away. If it is going to do more harm than good, it is probably best to discard it. It is just therapeutic to actually write it out.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Think about how Christianity has stood the test of time. • How have these factors played a role in its longevity: God’s overarching plan for humankind (Genesis through Revelation); Jesus’ Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20); and Jesus’ model of community with diversity?

Day 5 THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. One of the most inspiring sections of Scripture is the first five chapters of the Book of Acts. Acts is the continuation of the story told in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, it was time for Peter and the rest of the disciples to take the lead and start the church. Three years earlier, these men were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots. Now (empowered by the Holy Spirit) they found themselves leading the way of the greatest movement the world has ever seen. It is amazing how big of an impact living in community can have in the life of a believer. However, as they went, they were met with extreme persecution. Which is not surprising. When the Gospel is spreading, there will always be pushback. But when the opposition came, the disciples remembered the example of Jesus. Instead of scattering, they drew closer together. Acts 4:23-24 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God After being arrested for preaching and healing, Peter and John were eventually released. But instead of skipping town, they went straight for their community. They come together to encourage one another and call out to God. And He answered their prayer. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Do you see the power of community? Life is hard. Persecution will always come. But when we have other people to bounce ideas off, encourage, empower, and keep accountable, amazing things can happen. The goal of Rewired is to give you practical ways to live life the Jesus way. Although it is possible to practice the rest of the tools in this book individually, that would miss the point. If you isolate yourself and refuse to let others into the process, you will miss out on one of the most important parts of Christianity. Jesus showed us first hand that we should do life in community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for us to do the same.

ACTION STEP Who can you bring into your Christian community and how? Go out and make at least one invitation. What does your community have to offer a new Christian or a non-Christian who is seeking answers to life? Write down thoughts you can share as you bring new people into your community.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • If you are already part of a community of Christians how will you and your community ensure that the “next generation” will continue the faith? • If you have not developed a community of Christians you can share life with, what barriers are holding you back, or what barriers might hold back someone else?

SILENCE AND SOLITUDE

Week 2

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35

Day 1 THE QUIET PLACE In the 1996 classic Happy Gilmore, Happy (Adam Sandler) is a washed up hockey player who discovers an unrealistic ability to hit a golf ball really far. However, he doesn’t stand a chance against his opponents because he can’t putt. But when a seasoned veteran takes him under his wing, he turns him into a champion golfer. How? By teaching him to get rid of all the distractions and go to his “happy place.” Happy’s problem is universal. We live in a world that is constantly vying for our attention. And we are typically quick to hand it over. According to a 2016 study, the typical cell phone user touches their phone 2,617 times every day. That’s 18,319 times a week. Or 952,588 times a year. And that is middle of the road! Some people more than double that number. Cell phones are just the beginning. When you add in computers, television, radio, billboards, and all the other things competing for space in our minds, it becomes abundantly clear why we are all so overwhelmed. We have a constant stream of information and entertainment fighting for our attention. Jesus had to deal with a similar problem. Although the same technology did not yet exist, He constantly had crowds desperate for His attention. Everywhere He went, people wanted Him to heal, to advise, or to listen to them. And He would always attend to everyone. Because He also understood the importance of silence and solitude. Mark 1:35-37 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus had a habit of going off to a desolate place by himself before the day began. This pattern comes up constantly during Jesus’s ministry. Mark 1:35-37 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness Luke 5:16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Before Jesus could give, He understood that He first had to get alone with His Father and receive. Too often, we try to give before first receiving from God. Although this is possible for a short period of time, it leaves us feeling burnt out. Silence and solitude is a great way to get prepared to do ministry. This week is about regaining this sacred daily practice. Let’s begin with a simple exercise.

ACTION STEPS For the next five minutes, remove all distractions from your life. Turn off your phone, shut your computer, and get away from the rest of the world. Read Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Read it a few times through and when you get to the end, pause for a few moments and let the reality of the verse sink in. Continue this process for five minutes and then write about the experience below.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT If we are to grow as Christians we must find time to spend alone with God. Spending time with God should include prayer and Bible study. Jesus knew the Scriptures better than anyone and His relationship with the Father was deep and intimate. â&#x20AC;˘ What can we do to purposefully schedule time alone with God getting to know Him better? Pull up your planner and schedule time with God right now!

Day 2 AND... SCENE Luke 12:2 “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Have you ever taken an acting class? I took “Acting For Non-Majors” in college (emphasis on the “for non-majors”). At the beginning of each class, the teacher would assign us characters and a situation. Then we would spend the next ten minutes pretending to be someone we are not. It’s called acting. And it’s exhausting. The exercise would continue until the teacher shouted “And...Scene.” Those words were always a relief. As humans, we spend a large portion of our lives acting. For a number of different reasons, we are scared of letting people see our true selves. To defend against that fear, we put on masks and pretend to be someone we are not. We do this with accomplishments, titles, possessions, personalities, and a number of other things. It is amazing how creative humans can be when they need to be. But that is not the life God created us to live. He designed us all uniquely (Psalm 139:13) and placed us all exactly where He wanted to place us (Acts 17:26) so that we can carry out the plans He has for us. In other words, we are free to be who we really are. Silence is the place where the charade ends. It is the place we can learn to stop acting, and just be with God. Taking time out of our busy day to sit in silence is the equivalent of yelling “And... Scene.” For a brief moment, we get to stop pretending and rest in the truth that we are worth more than our accomplishments. This is not an easy step. But the more we practice it, the easier it becomes. Tomorrow we will talk about why.

ACTION STEP Read Luke 12:2. Sit in silence for five minutes thinking about the implications of that verse. When your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to the verse. Simply observe your thoughts as you slowly work your way through the verse. Write down your findings.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT We all have times that we fear sharing the deeper parts of ourselves with others, or times that we feel we don’t “measure up” to other’s expectations, so we “act.” There is one person who knows us better than anyone and that is Jesus who, “while we were still sinners, ...died for us” (Romans 5:8). He loves us as we are. • What is holding you back from opening up to Jesus and spending quiet alone time with God?

Day 3 SOUL REST Have you ever felt tired in a way that a good night sleep is not going to fix? Physical exhaustion is one thing, but emotional and spiritual exhaustion are a whole different ballgame. Yesterday, we learned that silence and solitude are where the charade ends. It is where we drop the act and start being the people we were created to be. The task of dropping the act is difficult, but the result is rest for your soul. Think about the people Jesus interacted with. The tax collectors, so desperate to make money they were willing to betray their fellow Jews. The Pharisees, going to outrageous lengths to prove themselves through their religion. And of course, the rich young ruler, who had such a longing to make a name for himself that he was unable to give up anything standing in his way. These are all snapshots of the struggles of the first century Jews. But interestingly, they are the same exact things we deal with today. Luckily, Jesus gave them all a beautiful invitation. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Are you tired yet? Ready to find soul rest? That rest is found in Jesus. Because when we take time to sit in silence and be with Jesus, our souls are finally able to rest knowing they are completely secure in the arms of their Creator. This is an amazing reality, but it is no small task. Sitting in silence is completely counter intuitive to the culture we were raised in. Our culture screams at us to search for that rest in our accomplishments. Jesus invites us to find that rest in Him. So for the next two days we are going to talk about very practical ways to practice silence and solitude and find the rest our souls are desperate for. For today, try this simple exercise.

ACTION STEP Read Matthew 11:28-30 a few times and then attempt to sit in silence for 10 minutes. When your mind wanders, simply observe the places it goes. These can shine light on the things keeping us from our souls constantly being at rest.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Read Matthew 11:25-27 (the verses just before this rest passage). â&#x20AC;˘ How do you feel about the intimate relationship Jesus has with the Father? Does it give you more or less confidence to trust Jesus? â&#x20AC;˘ Why should we keep Jesus at the center of our quiet time?

Day 4 LISTENING You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 Conversations are a two-way street. They require talking and listening. Nothing is worse than trying to talk to someone who doesn’t understand that. If we could get a transcript of our prayers this week, what would they look like? I’m guessing most of ours would look more like a one-way street than a two. They would probably be a laundry list of things we are asking God to do. But the invitation in Scripture is for prayer to involve listening. Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. God still speaks today. There are several ways we can hear his voice. - Through his Word - Through circumstances - Through His creation - Through His Spirit - Through others - Through His audible voice The thought of having a conversation with God may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. It can be as simple as asking God a question and then sitting in silence for five minutes, waiting to see if you get a response from any of the above avenues.

You may not hear anything, you may feel a deep stirring, or you might even get an audible voice. Whatever happens, the win is putting the time in to listen for God’s response. Remember, we are called to have a relationship with God. Any good relationship requires quality time and listening. Our relationship with God is no different.

ACTION STEP Practice being still and listening. For five minutes, pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). However, don’t try to overtake the conversation. Just listen and see what happens. Ask God to speak to you through any of the avenues listed above. Wait.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It is important to be discerning when listening for God. Sometimes God is silent so you can reflect, sometimes His answer to a request is no, and sometimes it is wait. Always match up your silent time hearings with Scripture. • Pray as Jesus did for God’s will to be done, and to be delivered from the evil one (who will always try to discourage us in our walk with God). Read Jesus’ prayer model in Matthew 6:9-13. How can you apply this principle to your quiet time?

Day 5 TAKE TEN People often complain about not being able to hear God’s voice. Ironically, their lives are so full with noise and distractions that they probably wouldn’t be able to hear Him, even if He were speaking. In our busy world, taking ten minutes to sit in silence feels impossible. But it is one of the most beneficial things we can do. When we do, all the other things vying for our attention take a back seat, allowing space for God to speak, convict, and transform our lives. Jesus constantly tried to teach this principle to His disciples. In Mark 6, the disciples had just finished their first ministry outing without Him. They were so excited to come back and report on everything that happened. But watch what Jesus does when they try. Mark 6:30-32 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. In essence, Jesus told the disciples, “Good work. Now let’s get back to the whole silence and solitude thing, because there is much more work to be done.” They had a great experience, but also spent a significant amount of time being influenced by the world. So before running off to meet the next need, they hit the pause button. As we end this week, the challenge is to incorporate the same principle into your own life. Take ten minutes every day to “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” Silence is like working out. The first time you do it, it is a difficult experience. It feels awkward and unpredictable. But as time goes on, it becomes easier and easier. The key is to not get frustrated. When all the thoughts, worries, and fears from the day arise to the surface, let them go. Surrender them to your loving Father, then continue to rest in His presence.

ACTION STEP Take ten minutes to sit in silence. Find a comfortable and quiet place, free from distraction. Read Psalm 23 over a few times. Reflect on what it means.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Some of us are morning people, some are night owls. Regardless of your disposition Jesus modeled quiet time for us. Choose one of the many Biblical passages that show how Jesus modeled this for us and post it somewhere that you will see it on a daily basis. â&#x20AC;˘ Have you pulled up that planner and schedule a permanent regular quiet time to be with the Lord? If not do so now. Share with someone what your plan will be so that you can hold each other accountable.

SCRIPTURE

Week 3

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

Day 1 THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. While he was still an atheist, C.S. Lewis had a hard time comprehending how anyone could know what God was like even if he did exist. He claimed people knowing about God would be like Hamlet knowing about Shakespeare. It would be impossible for anyone in the created world to know about the creator. After his conversion to Christianity, Lewis still felt that his analogy was a good one, although he now held a different stance concerning it. As a Christian, he felt that Hamlet could only know about Shakespeare if Shakespeare wrote himself into the story, appearing before Hamlet and explaining that he was the creator of Hamlet’s world. Lewis felt that this was exactly how God acted in our story. Scripture gives us details concerning God’s interactions with man, culminating with the incarnation of Jesus Christ as a man. God has indeed written himself into our story, and Scripture is the means by which we may learn about Him! As followers of God, we know that reading Scripture is important, but sometimes we fail to understand why. Reading our Bible is something we know we should do, but sometimes reading for the sake of reading causes us to go through the motions without purpose or understanding. We come to Scripture to check a box on our to-do list, rather than search for truths about God. If we understand Scripture properly, we can read the Word of God with a greater understanding, so that we may learn and grow as a result. When we read scripture, we are doing several things. First, we are learning about the story of God redeeming mankind. Since the fall in the garden of Eden, God has been at work to bring about the salvation of humanity. We come to Scripture to see how God has intervened throughout human history to bring Israel and the rest of humanity closer to him. Additionally, we see how man’s redemption is finalized through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The salvation that God has brought about for all people is then spread and shared throughout the world. Scripture gives us promises about Christ’s return, when this redemptive narrative will finally be completed. We also learn about the truths of God, and the truths concerning ourselves. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of a faithful and loving God who is in relentless pursuit of humanity.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. As Christians, we also know that we are children of God (1 John 3:1). The Holy Spirit works within us as we read Scripture, so that these truths may be realized in our hearts, and we may live in light of them. In reading the Bible, we learn to love God because he first loved us; we learn gratitude for the salvation freely given to us; we learn to care for one another because Christ first cared for us. The Spirit moves within us to take the truths of Scripture and make them realities for our lives. As you approach God’s Word realize that you are reading the creator of the universe’s truthful narrative of redemption in our lives. In his love for us, God has given us a way to learn about him, and he has written himself into our story. We must seek to understand God and his will for our lives through Scripture. In reading Scripture, we allow the Spirit to move within us and help us to understand that our story is really just a piece of the ultimate story. God’s story.

ACTION STEP Read John 14:1-14. How do you think this passage relates to your life? Can you learn anything about God through this passage?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • What do you think of Scripture? Do you tend to think of it as helpful teachings for Christians, or the primary way for us to learn about God? • Do you believe in Scripture’s power to transform you? Do you think you actively allow for Scripture to transform you? • Write a prayer thanking God for Scripture, and setting before him any questions or struggles that you may have when approaching the Word.

Day 2 READ WELL I’m sure that most of us either in college or high school have had assigned reading in several classes. Assigned reading can be tough because reading an entire book is quite time consuming, and we rarely even get to pick the text. Because of this, reading becomes a chore, and is associated as something we have to do, rather than something which benefits us. Frequently, when we have this mindset, we do not read with detail. Instead we skim the pages, looking forward to finishing the book instead of enjoying the process of reading. You may have felt similar feelings when approaching the Bible. It is easy to feel like reading the Bible is a chore. We know it is beneficial for us to do, so we do it. But we are often more concerned with accomplishing the task of reading than we are with learning about God through the Scriptures. If we skim the Bible and simply read it for the sake of completion, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Scripture is not meant to be a chore, it is meant to be a gift. God has given us these texts so that we can learn more about Him. We must therefore read the Scriptures well. One way we can do this is by reading intently. By it’s nature, scripture can be incredibly complex. Certain parts are hard to figure out. Rather than dismiss these sections that we might not initially understand, we need to struggle with the text. The next time you read a passage, sentence, or word you do not understand, don’t keep reading. Instead, sit in this discomfort. Try to figure out what the text may be saying, what the author is trying to convey. This often takes a good amount of effort, and can still leave us in confusion afterwards. But that’s okay. If you still have questions that need to be resolved, you can always consult a commentary either online or in print, or you can ask a friend who might be able to discuss the issue with you. We must also read prayerfully. It is by the Holy Spirit that the truths of Scripture are revealed to us. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 2:10b-12 For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. When we seek to understand the words of Scripture, we must rely on the Spirit to help reveal the truths about God found in the text. We may prayerfully ask God to partner with us in our time of reading, so we may understand Him better with His help.

The Spirit is alive and breathing in all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This means that to every Christian, the Spirit can accompany them in the process of reading. God has given us His Spirit so we may discern His truths. He wants us to learn about Him, and has fully enabled us to do this. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be afraid at the vastness of Scripture. God is within you, opening your eyes as you intently read His Word.

ACTION STEP We have received the Spirit who is from God (1 Corinthians 2:12). With that in mind, read Psalm 1, and ask the Spirit to speak to you through it.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT â&#x20AC;˘ When you read the Bible, do you find yourself understanding most of what you read, or struggling to understand? â&#x20AC;˘ Does the idea of the Spirit helping you to understand Scripture comfort you? How can you better welcome God into your time of Scripture reading?

Day 3 MEDITATION “It is not necessary that we should get through the entire passage in one meditation. Often we shall have to stop with one sentence or even one word, because we have been gripped and arrested and cannot evade it any longer” (Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 83). In his essay, “On Stories,” C.S. Lewis writes, “an unliterary man may be defined as one who reads books once only.” His point here is that a true lover of literature rereads the books that he or she holds so dear because there is a profound appreciation for the beauty and quality of the book. Lewis believes that only after multiple readings can someone understand the story fully, because after each reading, new truths are revealed. In our culture, we can be obsessed with consumerism. Society often tells us to acquire the next best thing, and this can seep into our Scripture reading. We may begin to read for the purpose of getting as much knowledge as possible. We put value on the amount of Scripture we can read, or the amount of things we know about God. As a result, the knowledge in our heads is not always committed to our hearts. Scripture tells us so many truths. 1 John 4:16 God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Matthew 5:43-44 You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

These are all important to our lives. But simply reading each passage and understanding its content is often not enough. We must dwell on these words, and strive to understand them fully. When we read Scripture, we must not approach it simply as a means to acquire knowledge. We must approach Scripture with a willingness to understand the truths of God in a way that may begin to transform our lives. In the above quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he emphasizes how important it is for us to meditate on the words in the Bible. In reading scripture thoughtfully and allowing the Holy Spirit to intervene, we may be struck by a particular verse, phrase, or even word. It is important that we allow for these moments, and spend some time meditating on the words of Scripture when they strike us as meaningful. As you approach Scripture today and moving forward, take your time. There is no need to rush through the Word of God. Allow yourself to be moved by the words on the page, and to think deeply about how these words can shape the way you think about God, and how you can act moving forward.

ACTION STEP Read John 14:1-14 carefully. Meditate on this passage after you have read it. How does this passage influence the way you should live your life? Write a prayer asking God to help you to put the words of this passage to practice.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • What are your habits when you read Scripture? Do you read quickly or slowly? Do you comprehend what you read? • What do you think you need to change in order to be impacted and formed to a greater degree by Scripture? • How can your group help keep you accountable in your Scripture reading?

Day 4 MEMORIZATION “The Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case” -Charles Spurgeon Let’s face it. Memorization is something that we do naturally and subconsciously. I’m willing to bet that you probably have all the words to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song memorized. If not, there are countless of other songs or sayings that you have tucked in the back of your mind and can recall at will. Why wouldn’t we want to do the same with Scripture? Unfortunately, Scripture often takes a back seat to so many other distractions in our lives. It is easy to turn on the radio and sing along while driving. It is much harder to sit down with the Bible in order to memorize a passage or verse. We struggle to find time to read the Bible at all, much less memorize it. However, Scripture memorization is an important practice and can be incredibly important for your relationship with God. When Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he uses Scripture to resist the temptations. After each of Satan’s attempts, Jesus recites Scripture by memory to point out the flaw in Satan’s reasoning. Realizing that we are never going to be on Jesus’ level in terms of Scripture memorization, we can see the example of the power that memorization can have in our lives and strive to include this in our spiritual walk. When we commit something to memory, it often resurfaces in unexpected times. Think of all the times when a random song has been stuck in your head. Scripture can do the same thing, and often does so at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Just as Christ recalled scripture to thwart Satan, the Spirit may also work in us to help us remember the verses of Scripture we have memorized when we need it most. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. If we are to be transformed and renewed, we need to fill our minds with the things of God. This includes Scripture. Through memorizing and dwelling on Scripture, we can become transformed, so that we can be more like Christ. You have probably noticed that the Scripture reading has been the same everyday this week. This is because in reading the same passage of scripture over and over again over a period of time, we become more familiar with it. Hopefully, during this week, you have been able to dwell on the truths of this passage more and more, as you reread it.

As you go forward, try out this practice of memorization. Here is a verse that you can start with: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

ACTION STEP Read John 14:1-14. Do you notice any themes standing out that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t obvious before? Has this passage come to mind at any point in your day over the past week?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Do you value memorizing scripture? What about today’s reading may have influenced your view on memorization? • Has any scripture memorization been helpful in moments of need in the past? • Going forward, how can you be more intentional about internalizing God’s word?

Day 5 LECTIO DIVINA Luke 11:1-4 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” In this above quote, one of Jesus’ disciples asks Jesus how to pray. Jesus gives him and all other listeners a template for prayer. He sets out an example for them, so that in their own prayers, they might imitate this example. This guide that Jesus gives for prayer is comforting for many people today, just as it was then. We often feel at ease when there are rules to follow, or a structure in place for us to abide by. The struggle with reading scripture is that many people feel overwhelmed or out of their element when approaching the Bible. We do not know what to read, how to read it, or how much to read. Each of these roadblocks can cause us to avoid scripture altogether. For many of us, we would prefer a model to follow on how to approach scripture. Though there is not a single model that every person should abide by when reading scripture, there are various helpful models which we can use to read scripture intentionally. One model that we may use as an example is the Lectio Divina, which translates as “divine reading.” This model was developed by the Benedictine order, with the intention of getting the most out of their scripture reading. There are four movements in this model of reading, which are as follows: Lectio (“Read”) The first step in this process is to read a passage carefully. When we read Scripture, we do not need to read entire books of the Bible, or even entire chapters. Read whatever amount you feel comfortable reading carefully, whether it be a small passage or multiple chapters. According to the Benedictine tradition, in this step, texts would often be read as many as four times. Try to read your passage multiple times so that you may develop a deeper understanding. Read slowly and intently. Meditatio (“Meditate”) When we read Scripture, we are not reading merely for comprehension. We want the Spirit to move within us, so that the truths that we see in Scripture can move us and transform us. After we read, we should ponder and think, struggling with the things that may not seem

abundantly clear from the passage, and reflecting on how the truths that we do see may be implemented in our own lives. The Holy Spirit guides us in this process, allowing the words of the Bible to pierce us, so that we read for the sake of understanding on a spirit level. Oratio (“Pray”) The followers of this Benedictine tradition have often regarded the Word as a light to guide their lives. When we read scripture, we should be in communication with God. The Bible was given to us to reveal to us the truth, and we must ask God to come alongside us in discovering how the truth relates to our lives. When you read, ask God to reveal in you where you might be struggling to implement the truths that you are reading. Thank him when the passage calls for thankfulness, repent when the passage calls for repentance. Let Scripture be a guide for you to communicate with God. Contemplatio (“Contemplate”) Contemplation in this method typically takes the form of a silent prayer. When we pray, it is important both to talk to God, and to listen to what he may be telling you. After we approach God with verbal prayer through the Scripture, we should open up our hearts to listen to him, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in this. This method of reading is just one way to read the Scriptures. This is by no means the only way, and you may find another method that is more beneficial for you. However, the Lectio Divina method may be helpful for you as you read the Bible, so you may connect Scripture reading with the other areas of your life such as prayer or sanctification.

ACTION STEP Read John 14:1-14 using the Lectio Divina method. Write your prayer on the lines provided on the next page.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • How do you feel when you approach Scripture? Do you feel overwhelmed, apathetic, confident? • How does this message change the way you will approach the Bible in the future?

THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE Week 4

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

One of the key questions to ask on the journey to living life the Jesus way is: what or who am I worshipping? Often, we think of worship as the three or four songs sung on Sunday before the sermon, but it is so much more than that. Worship: The act of ascribing ultimate value to something. Everyone is a worshiper. We constantly have things in our lives that we put above everything else. We worship family, friends, GPA, salary, sports teams, celebrities, and all sorts of other things. Those things arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad. The problem is, they make horrible gods. You can try to ascribe ultimate value to your job, but what happens when you get fired? You can put your family above everything else, but what happens when they let you down? True joy and freedom are found when you give ultimate value to the only thing that will never fail, God. Doing that frees you up to then love your family well, work hard in your job, and cheer for your favorite sports team without finding your identity and value in them. For the next five days, we are going to practice doing that by studying different attributes of God. Scripture gives us truths about our Father that help us understand who we are worshipping. Each day we are going to focus on an attribute of God. Read the short description each day, then write it on a sticky note... God you are ____________. Then put that note in a place you will see throughout the day and spend the time meditating on the given attribute.

Day 1 FAITHFUL Throughout Scripture, God makes a lot of promises to His people. We can be certain that He will come through on all of His promises. Why? Because He is faithful. When He says He is going to do something, He is going to do it. This attribute is hard to believe at times, especially when you are going through a difficult season, but we can rest in the assurance that it is true. Regardless of your present circumstances, God is faithful. Here are a few examples of His promises to us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 86:5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive eternal life. When things get scary, God draws near. When we repent, God forgives. When bad things happen, we know He is somehow weaving it all together for good. These are promises He is faithful to keep. Understanding that gives us hope for the day.

Write “God you are Faithful” on a sticky note and spend Day 1 meditating on the faithfulness of God.

Day 2 INFINITE God is infinite. He has no limits. Theologians have created lots of big words to try to describe this (i.e. omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent). These are all important words to study, but for today, here is a single takeaway to focus on. If God is infinite, that means He does not fit into the box our minds try to place Him in. We all have a “god-box,” which is our way to try to wrap our minds around an infinite God. The problem is, you can’t put an infinite God in a finite box. God is bigger than our best attempt to understand Him. That may sound like a philosophical rabbit trail, but let’s not miss the point. Serving an infinite God means the God we worship is always greater than anything we can conceive. Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. That is a reason to worship. Remembering God is infinite puts our finite problems into perspective. The challenges in front of us do not intimidate God. Our situations may seem impossible, but God’s got this. He is in control.

Write â&#x20AC;&#x153;God you are Infiniteâ&#x20AC;? on a sticky note and spend Day 2 reminding yourself of that truth.

Day 3 HOLY God is holy. Set apart. This attribute is all over Scripture. One great example is when the Prophet Isaiah got to see a glimpse of the Lord sitting on His throne. Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” This is the only mention of the Seraphim (angelic beings), so we don’t know much about them. But we do know that although they are magnificent creatures, even they cannot look at the Lord sitting on His throne. Instead, they cover their faces and cry out “Holy, Holy, Holy.” In the next few verses, we see how Isaiah responds to witnessing this incredible event. Isaiah 6:4-5 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips. When Isaiah comes face to face with the holiness of God, he doesn’t take out a laundry list of things he would like God to do and he doesn’t ask him all the questions that have always bothered him. Instead, he looks away and says, “woe is me.” Who am I to stand in the presence of a holy God? That is an excellent posture to take in life. We know that God is our loving Father who wants us to come to Him with any request we may have (Luke 18:1-8). But it is also important to remember we need to have a reverence for God.

Write â&#x20AC;&#x153;God you are Holyâ&#x20AC;? on a sticky note and do your best to remind yourself of that amazing truth throughout Day 3.

Day 4 JUST God is holy. We are sinners. And that is a problem. Luckily, God came up with a solution to the problem: Jesus and the cross. But the cross raises another question. If God can do whatever He wants, why didn’t He just wink at our sin and look the other way? The answer is that God is just. As creatures created in His image, we intuitively understand this because we feel the same need for justice. When a crime is committed, we want to see justice. Meaning, we need to pay for the sins we have all committed. Fortunately, our just God is also loving (the topic for Day Five), so instead of making us pay the price; He paid for it himself. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus’ work on the cross took care of the punishment of sin. Now, in him, we receive forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:9). The cross shows how much God loves us, but it also indicates that He is just. God couldn’t let our sin slide; a penalty had to be paid. Praise God that He is both a loving and a just God. That is reason to worship.

Write â&#x20AC;&#x153;God you are Justâ&#x20AC;? on a sticky note and spend Day 4 thanking Him for being just.

Day 5 LOVING Perhaps the greatest news of all is that our faithful, infinite, holy, and just heavenly Father is also all-loving. As John writes, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). For some, this is the hardest attribute to understand, because earthly Fathers are often far from perfect. But regardless of your upbringing, it’s true. You have a Father who loves you and has brought you into His family. Paul says it this way in his letter to the Romans. Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” One of the most loving things a human can do is bring an orphan into his/her home. Spiritually speaking, that is exactly what God has done for us. We were cosmic orphans, dead in our trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1), but God adopted us into His family. We are now sons and daughters of God and call Him “Abba! Father!” To finish our week on the attributes of God, remember, we can all rest, knowing that we have a Father who loves us.

Write “God you are Loving” on a sticky note and spend Day Five living as if that were true!

SABBATH

Week 5

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27

Day 1 A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. If I could choose one moment from the Bible to witness, I would choose the very first chapter. Genesis 1 is the moment God stepped into time, looked at a blank canvas, and created the greatest work of art of all time. The author of the chapter starts with, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” He then goes on to write a poem explaining this creation in action. In the poem, God takes six days to create and then one day to rest. Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Six days of work. One day of rest. Six days of work. One day of rest. That is the original design. And as beings created in God’s image, we are invited to join the same cycle: Six days of work, one day of rest. However, our culture screams a different narrative. “Achieve!” “Make something of your life!” “Sleep when you are dead!” If life is about achieving, who has time for rest? But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between work and rest. John Mark Comer says it this way, “Work and rest live in a symbiotic relationship. If you don’t learn how to rest well, you will never learn how to work well (and vice versa). After all, the opposite of work isn’t rest — it’s sleep. Work and rest are friends, not enemies.”

The better we learn to rest one day out of the week, the more effective we will be on the other six. What a beautiful invitation to take Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s command to honor the Sabbath seriously. For the next few days we are going to talk about why the Sabbath is so important. When was the last time you practiced taking a Sabbath? What are the obstacles standing in your way of this sacred practice?

ACTION STEP Pick one day this week to rest. Obviously, this will look different for everyone based off the season of life you are in. But find a way to honor your Sabbath this week.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT We often take God’s great creation for granted, yet He has made it plain for us to see His power and glory in it. (Romans 1:20) • Look around and take in the beautiful complexity of life as you rest on your Sabbath day. • Read Psalm 19 and reflect as David did on the greatness of God’s creative abilities and imagine how much more we will see in Heaven.

Day 2 SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN Humans are really good at taking the life-giving gifts God has given us and turning them into life-taking rituals. One Sabbath, Jesus is walking with His disciples. During the journey, the disciples get hungry and start plucking wheat. When the Pharisees see this, they go off on a tangent about how they shouldn’t be doing that on the Sabbath. Jesus calmly gives them an explanation of why it is okay and ends with these glorious words. Mark 2:27 “And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” The Sabbath is a gift. It was made for us. Unfortunately, we took that gift and turned it into a legalistic rule we have to follow to feel justified. In the very next verse, Jesus goes into the synagogue and has a similar experience. Mark 3:1-3 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” Everyone is in the synagogue worshiping God, when some poor guy comes in needing healing. But of course, the Pharisees are staring at Jesus to see what He is going to do. Spoiler alert, Jesus heals the man. Why? Because that is just what Jesus does. When He sees a need, He meets it. The Sabbath is meant for life giving experiences. What can be more life giving than getting your withered hand healed?

ACTION STEP Read the following passage a few times: Matthew 12:12 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.â&#x20AC;? With this verse in mind, sketch out what your perfect Sabbath Day would look like. Even if it could never happen in the life stage you are in, it is good to think through what type of rest you prefer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Many people are confused about the Sabbath Day. â&#x20AC;¢ What is the role of the Sabbath for Christians based on what Jesus taught?

Day 3 LIFE GIVING Have you ever finished a vacation feeling like you need another vacation? Why does that happen? If the very thing that is suppose to give us rest, is making us feel more exhausted, doesn’t that mean something is wrong? There are a number of reasons this happens, but the simplest explanation is that we aren’t good at resting. Our manipulation of the Sabbath is a great example of this. The Sabbath should be the day of the week we devote to rest and recharging, but so often we get to the end of the day feeling even more exhausted than we did the day before. We’ve lost sight of what a restful day looks like. What does rest look like for you? Some people enjoy building things with their hands. Other people cannot stand things like that. Maybe you like to read, or eat, or have great conversations with friends. Great! Find ways to implement those life-giving activities into your Sabbath. The point is not to check a bunch of things off of your list, the point is to honor God by resting and recharging. Paul told this to the church in Philippi. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What are the things in this world that give you life? What makes you feel like you are ready to take on another week?

ACTION STEP Make a list of life-giving activities. How can you implement those into your Sabbath rest this week?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT â&#x20AC;˘ Meditate on Philippians 4:8. â&#x20AC;˘ Write out any other passages that help you understand the importance of rest.

Day 4 ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD “Time, you ain’t no friend of mine.” -Hootie and The Blowfish Do you remember looking forward to getting older? When we were eight, we couldn’t wait to be nine. At fifteen we were excited to turn sixteen. Around eighteen our eagerness for time to move quickly to the next age begins to fade! We discover that while we can make more money and improve our skill set, time is one thing that we cannot control. Therefore, it becomes a most precious commodity. This is a huge reason we struggle to take a Sabbath. The clock is ticking. We are running out of time. Why would we waste an entire day every week to set everything aside. After all, didn’t God give us a mission? Yes. But that mentality is a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s design for the world. Although we have a finite amount of time before we die and go to heaven, that is not our final destination. The final two chapters of the Bible (Revelation 21 and 22) make this clear. Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Ultimately, our hope is not in heaven, our hope is in the restored earth. In other words, the things that make us come alive today, are the things we will be doing for all of eternity. We could do an entire class on this, but for the purposes of this class, we need to realize that our lives on this earth are only the beginning! We get to spend all of eternity being the people God created us to be!

So yes, of course time is a precious commodity. However, we are filthy rich! We have an infinite amount of it. Sabbath then is the practice of taking one day a week to stop and celebrate that truth. In doing so, we wage war on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;achieve-for-Godâ&#x20AC;? mentality and learn to rest in the truth that God is in complete control. Enjoy your Sabbath. Spend it being thankful for the life God has given you and for everything He has done. Then wake up the next morning and get back to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

ACTION STEP What makes you come alive? What do you feel like you were created to do? Make a list of things you feel you will be doing for all of eternity.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Take a look at the list you just created. â&#x20AC;˘ How does the list compare to reality? What percentage of your day are you spending doing the things you feel you were created to do? What changes can you make to increase that percentage?

Day 5 A THANKFUL HEART On the Sabbath day, people would meet at the temple and give thanks to God. The standard Psalm (or song) for this occasion is found in Psalm 92. Psalm 92:1-4 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. This Psalm gives us great insight into what the day of rest is for: giving thanks. As the Psalmist writes, “it is good to give thanks to the Lord.” Gratefulness is good for you. It helps you get your eyes off of yourself and place them back on God. When things are going well, this is easy to do. However, in tough seasons, it is equally important that we learn to be grateful. It is amazing what can change when you learn to count your blessings in the middle of difficult times. Whether you can see it or not, there is always so much to be thankful for! Thankfulness also combats complacency. When you grow up in a land locked state and then visit California, it is so amazing to see the ocean. You stare at it in amazement for hours on end. However, if you live right next to the ocean and see it every day, it doesn’t take long for the ocean to lose its wonder. You have to fight the urge of letting it go from extraordinary to ordinary. How do you do that? By stopping every week to remind yourself that these things are God’s great handiwork! This world is incredible, we just need to take some time out of our day to stop and acknowledge that with a thankful heart. The psalmist writes about the people gathering at the temple on the Sabbath declaring: Psalm 92:5 How great are your works, O Lord! May we learn to do the same.

ACTION STEP Being thankful does not come naturally, it is something we have to work at. What are you thankful for? Modeling the Psalmist, try to start a prayer with five minutes of â&#x20AC;&#x153;thankfulnessâ&#x20AC;? first and see how much richer your time with God will be. Spend five minutes making a list of all the reasons you have to be grateful.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT â&#x20AC;¢ Why do you think it is so difficult to be in a constant state of gratitude?

SIMPLICITY Week 6

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Day 1 LOVE GOD FIRST Humans have a tendency to overcomplicate things. Especially when it comes to something like faith. All too often, we get in our own way! We think about what we can do to further God’s presence in our life or what we can do to get ourselves into Heaven. Those are great things, but these should not be our primary motivation. Read Luke 10:25-28. “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him (Jesus) to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” This is an interesting story. The lawyer is an Old Testament Scholar and is trying to trip Jesus up by asking Jesus a difficult question. But, like any good teacher, Jesus answers the question with a deeper question, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” To the lawyer’s credit, he answers correctly: Love God with everything you have! However, he wasn’t making the all-important connection the Old Testament Scripture had to Jesus! It is in Jesus that we find eternal life! Often, we make Christianity more complicated than it needs to be. Christianity is about following Jesus (John 3) and understanding His purpose (Luke 24:13-35). Christianity is about sharing the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:1920). Peter said in John 6:68: …”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of the eternal life,” Simple. Not easy. But simple.

ACTION STEP Go to your Bible app and search the term: “eternal life.” Read what Jesus had to say about this topic.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Jesus taught a lot about the Kingdom of God. â&#x20AC;˘ What can you do today to help bring others into the Kingdom and the path of eternal life? â&#x20AC;˘ Read Luke 24:13-25. What do you think Jesus might have been teaching those two disciples on the road to Emmaus?

Day 2 GOD JUST WANTS “YOU” There is a difference between doing things for Jesus and being content to simply be with Jesus. As important as it is to work for Jesus, it is even more essential that we learn to be with Him. Take prayer for example. Often times when we pray, we think things like: “Does this prayer sound good? Did I cover all the bases? Did I forget anything? How long is a prayer supposed to be anyways? I wish I could pray like so-and-so..” But God is not looking for a specific formula, He is just pleased that we are willing to spend time with Him. Being is more important than doing. Look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-39 “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane,and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” When Jesus is about to go to the cross, he is distressed. And rightfully so. Instead of faking it, and saying the right prayer, Jesus - God-incarnate - falls face first to the ground and has an honest conversation with his Father. Jesus didn’t hide anything from His Father. He laid it all out in front of Him. We would do well to follow His example. Doing things for God is great, unless it is allowing us to hide behind what is actually going on in our lives. The invitation of Jesus is to abandon all of the business for business sake, and simply sit and be with the Father. His arms are open wide.

ACTION STEP Take a few minutes and have an honest conversation with God. Tell God how you’re really doing. If you’re feeling good, then great! Let Him know. If not, explain what is wrong. What other passages in Scripture model Jesus’ time with the Father?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Why do you think it is so difficult to be honest with God? • Write about it below.

Day 3 ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION A great way to get closer to God is to take away all of the things standing in the way of having a thriving relationship with Him. Consider this story: Matthew 19:16-22 “And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” The rich young ruler is a zealous man who desires to do the “right thing.” He seems to have good intentions, but he is asking the wrong question. “What good deed must I DO to have eternal life?” This is a very telling question. From a worldly standard, this young man has done everything right. He has kept all of the commandments, yet he realizes that something is missing. That is why he is coming to Jesus, asking what he is doing wrong. Jesus knows the harsh truth that although the man is following all the rules, he has the wrong motivation for his good behavior. The young man is trying to build his own personal kingdom instead of building God’s Kingdom. So Jesus gives him an invitation to walk away from his selfish pursuits: “go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (v 21). The heartbreaking part of this story is that the young man walks away from Jesus feeling sorrow - his tragic decision to turn away reflected a greater love for his possessions than for eternal life. That happens nowhere else in Scripture! What the man doesn’t understand is that Jesus offers him something far greater than he could ever obtain on his own. Eternal life is not a possession, it is a relationship. Would you give up everything you have to follow Jesus?

Pursuing simplicity is challenging because it requires us to stop finding our identity in our accomplishments and possessions, and instead be content to find it in being a child of God. Easier said than done, but the result is finding abundant life as opposed to walking away sorrowful.

ACTION STEP Often times, our physical congestion can make it’s way into our spiritual congestion. So CLEAN! Go through your old things and ask yourself “How does this grow my relationship with Jesus?” or “How does this add value to my eternal life?” Look at the things that you have in your life, what can you get rid of to make more room for Jesus?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Why is so difficult to let go of possessions? • Why do you think Jesus took this matter so seriously?

Day 4 HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? When it comes to living a simpler life, one of the words that needs to be defined is “enough”. Enough is one of the words that get’s a face lift when you start to know Jesus. The entire Bible is about a mighty God using incapable people to do incredible things. By worldly standards, the men and women God uses in the Bible were not “enough”. David committed adultery and murder, Gideon was hiding in a winepress, and Abraham got scared and pretended his wife was his sister. These are the heroes of the faith. What does that tell us about God? He uses unqualified people to get things done, because when that happens He gets the glory instead of us. That is a fantastic invitation into a life of simplicity. It takes the pressure to excel and achieve off of us and frees us up to simply take what we do have and bring it to God. Consider the story of Jesus feeding the large crowd. He asks the disciples where they should get food and Andrew responds: John 6:9-10 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There is a boy among them who brought his own dinner. It isn’t much, but the boy faithfully gives it to the cause. Then Jesus does the rest. John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. This is a beautiful picture of Christianity. When we are willing to bring God the little we do have and surrender all our expectations, He takes the little we have and does something extraordinary with it. God is always enough. When we are following His call for our lives, the little that we can bring to the table is enough as well!

ACTION STEP What is God asking you to surrender? What do you need to do in order to give that thing up?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul asks God to remove the “thorn in his flesh.” Read that passage. • What was God’s response to Paul’s request? What does Paul teach here about humility vs. pride? How can we apply that to our own life?

Day 5 THE COST OF YOUR SOUL The call to follow Jesus is not for the faint of heart. He’s asking not only for our lives, but also our comfort, security, and our safety. Listen to how he lays it out to his disciples. Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” The cross is a symbol that is everywhere these days. But remember, in those days it was a Roman crucifixion tool. Jesus asking his disciples to “take up their cross” is the equivalent of telling them to lay down their very lives. Why is the cost of following Jesus so high? Because “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus understood the secret of simplicity. Trying to hoard all our possessions and accomplishments leads to death, but letting go of everything and following Christ leads to the life we are searching for. When we try to glorify ourselves, we become a slave to who we can become. We are putting the burden of being God on our shoulders as opposed to His. So Jesus offers another way. It’s when we say, “It’s not about me anymore, it’s about God”, that we truly gain life. Jesus has a Kingdom mindset. His soul is not wrapped up in building a name for Himself, which allows him to experience life to the full. God created us, so when our souls are grounded in Him, it is like they are returning home. We don’t have to fight and toss and turn about where our soul finds rest. When we are grounded in God, we are home.

ACTION STEP Find a quiet place to sit down and read Psalm 27. As you work your way through the Psalm, take God up on his promises. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. In light of these promises, start thinking about more areas of your life you can surrender to God.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Take some time to write out Psalm 27. • Underline the verse(s) that give you confidence in finding your home with God.

EVANGELISM Week 7

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Day 1 LIVE THE MESSAGE 1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. I am sure we have heard it said before that living a Christ-centered life is one of the best forms of evangelism. This is true, but it can be hard to understand what it means to live a Christ-centered life. Does this mean we should pretend to be happy all the time? Does it mean we should tell others that our lives are grand and perfect? Often times, this is the conclusion we come to. We think that being an example means portraying our lives in a certain kind of light, whether or not this is actually true. However, there are several distinct ways that we can be examples in our lives without setting up a false persona. To start, we can seek out authenticity in our own lives. Usually, when we think about being an authentic person, we think about displaying honesty and truth in our lives. Authentic people aren’t hypocrites. However, if we are being honest with ourselves, most of us can often be hypocritical at times. The gospel has revealed to us that we are cared for and loved despite our hypocrisy. We are fallen people, but God has given us a path for forgiveness. The outside world looks at the Church as a group of people who preach one thing, but practice another; often times, they are right. As Christians, we must embrace our faults and shortcomings, showing the world that we are made righteous not through our own actions, but by Christ’s death and resurrection. It is because we are sinners that we need this free gift of grace. Another way we can live out the gospel is by centering ourselves on God’s cosmic plan. Although we are Christians, life is not always going to be easy. In fact, it probably means that life is going to be a lot harder. 1 John 3:13 tells us that we shouldn’t be surprised when the world hates us. We should expect opposition and hardships. Centering ourselves on God’s cosmic plan isn’t about pretending everything is alright in our lives, it is about understanding our hardships in light of the hope that we have in Christ. With the redemption that we have received in Christ comes a hope of a future in heaven, dwelling eternally in God’s presence. This does not negate any trials that we will experience in this life. But, in the midst of these trials, we can still have hope. We can look forward to our future lives without hardships, and find peace in this hope that God has given us. In the grand scheme of God’s plan, we will reach a time without hardship, without pain or suffering. We can live in light of this hope, and convey the hope that we have to those around us. These are just a couple ways in which we can dramatically change the way we live. Through authenticity to our sin, we acknowledge our own brokenness, and demonstrate for others that

there is healing and forgiveness for our faults. In abiding in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan for the world, we can show others that there is a hope that goes beyond this life, a hope that answers the problem of earthly hardship. We can be examples to the world by living as people transformed by Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace.

ACTION STEP Reflect on the past week. Make a list of all the ways you were living out the Gospel Message.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • In what ways do you think you currently live out the gospel message? In what ways do you not live out the gospel? • What are some other ways you think you can be an example to others in your life? • Ask God to help you to live in light of the grace he has given you. Ask him to reveal the ways in which you are and aren’t doing this. Thank him for his grace and his Spirit, which has and continues to transform you.

Day 2 BE HOSPITABLE Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” When we think of hospitality, we often think of inviting friends over for dinner, or hosting a small group at our house. Hospitality is commonly associated with being a good host to our friends. However, Biblical hospitality paints a much different picture. In John 3, Jesus is confronted by Nicodemus. Nicodemus was sent by the Pharisees to silence Jesus for his teachings and put him to shame. However, quite the opposite happens. Nicodemus becomes confused when Jesus begins talking about being born from above. Though Nicodemus came to shame Jesus, it is Jesus who has the upper hand in the conversation. However, instead of shaming Nicodemus, when he gains the upper hand in the conversation, Jesus reacts quite contrarily to how his culture would expect: John 3:10-21 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Instead of shaming Nicodemus, he relents. He shares with Nicodemus his role as the sacrifice for all of humanity. Although Nicodemus is antagonistic towards Jesus, Jesus meets him with answers. Jesus tells him a story of God’s love for him. By the end of the Gospel of John, Nicodemus bestows upon Jesus’ dead body perfume equivalent to about 50 years’ salary. Clearly, his interaction with Jesus and the mercy he received impacted him deeply. Jesus shows in this example that hospitality does not always come in the form of hosting one’s friends for dinner. Jesus was hospitable towards Nicodemus, who was intending to shame Jesus and slander his name. We will frequently be called towards hospitality towards those who do not like us. At times, we must be hospitable towards those we don’t even like. The gospel is for everyone. Even people we do not particularly like or get along with need to hear the message of God’s love for them, and the salvation He offers them. Jesus continuously dealt graciously towards those who were antagonistic towards him. He calls us to do the same, and to be hospitable not just towards our friends, but towards our enemies as well.

ACTION STEP Think of someone that you do not get along with or tend to avoid. How can you be a better example of biblical hospitality towards them? Devote fifteen minutes to acting on that today.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Do you agree with the idea that Christians should be hospitable towards their enemies? • Why do you think this is hard to do for Christians today?

Day 3 LISTEN If we can learn a lesson from anyone on evangelism, it is Jesus. Multiple times throughout the gospels, we are given examples of how Jesus interacted with those around him, leading them to a faith in Him and transforming their lives permanently. Let’s look at the example of the Samaritan woman at the well from the Gospel of John: John 4:7-26 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” When Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well, he was well aware of her status. He knew of her previous husbands, of the sin she was living in, of the shame that she felt. He was

able to address her problem because he knew the problem. Further, Jesus knew that he was the answer to her problem, and revealed to her that through him, she could have living water. When we approach others who are in need of the gospel, we already know that Jesus is the answer. The solution to whatever problem or struggle they are facing is Jesus, the forgiveness and redemption that he offers. Unfortunately for us, we are not as aware of the problems of others as Jesus was. This means that we have to put in some extra effort. We need to listen and understand the situation of others, so we may know how the gospel meets them where they are, in their personal struggles or circumstances. In conversations with unbelievers, we often shift the focus to ourselves. We talk of our own transformation, how Jesus has renewed us and saved us. While there is a good time for this, we must not be too quick to put the focus on ourselves. Jesus understood the problems of each person he interacted with, and responded to everyone in a way that catered to their specific need. We must do the same. When sharing the gospel, we need to listen well. We should seek to ask questions about the other person, and attempt to understand their situation better. Only when we understand their situation can we best present the gospel to them, the good news that Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salvation and forgiveness meets them in their specific situation, in their specific place of need. The beauty of the gospel is that it resonates with every person. Salvation by grace is a universal message, applicable to every personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Our role is simply to relay the message. But we should be strategic and loving in how we do this. Listening with the intent of understanding the circumstances of others is a great way to communicate care and establish trust; through this, we may present the gospel message to each person in the most effective way.

ACTION STEP Have an entire conversation with someone without talking about yourself once. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even give your own opinion or try to fix their situation. Simply ask them questions and listen.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • How important do you think listening is in evangelism? • Are you a good listener? How can you become a more intentional listener? • Think of someone in your life that is in need of the gospel. Write a prayer to God, asking him to help you to talk with this person, and understand their situation better. Ask God to help you share the gospel with them and meet them in their need.

Day 4 SHARE For many of us, evangelizing, sharing our faith with others so they might believe, is difficult and anxiety-giving. We fear being mocked, or not knowing the answers to questions we might be asked. We think of all the possible things that might go wrong. Further, we often are waiting for the best opportunity to evangelize to present itself. If we are waiting for the most opportune moment, we will often be disappointed. Let’s look at a passage from Mark: Mark 2:1-12 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” There was no opportune moment for these four men to bring their friend to Jesus. A crowd had gathered at the house where Jesus was staying, and if these men had waited for the right moment, their friend may have never experienced forgiveness and healing. The four men did something far more difficult than waiting: they took action. They climbed on the roof, removed a section large enough, and lowered their friend down at the feet of Jesus. Because of their actions, Jesus gave this man forgiveness for his sins and healed him of his paralysis. This passage shows us that sharing the gospel message will probably be difficult and uncomfortable. These four men had to go to great lengths to get their friend to Jesus. In our own lives, there may be a similar toll. We must overcome any fear or anxiety we might have in sharing the gospel with those around us. It won’t always be easy, but it is worth it. God

has given salvation to the world through Jesus Christ. If we truly believe this, there should be nothing stopping us from proclaiming this message, so that others may experience the gift that we have received. Sometimes, you will be mocked for your faith. You will probably be asked questions you don’t know the answer to, as well. However, this should not prevent you from evangelizing. Acts 5:41 “They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” What a different picture of evangelism than we may be used to. The apostles embraced the persecution they faced because they knew it was confirmation that the gospel was being proclaimed. The gospel is divisive. When confronted with it, one must either accept it or reject it. Usually, when someone rejects it, he or she rejects it maliciously. God’s free gift of salvation for us requires us to make a change in our lives, living no longer for ourselves. For many, this is something that they do not want to do, and they will slander those who want them to make such a change. We must not be afraid to share the gospel to others, and should not be discouraged if we are met with opposition.

ACTION STEP Who in your life can you share the gospel with in the next week? What may be keeping you from sharing with them? Write a prayer asking God to help you with whatever may be holding you back from sharing His good news.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT â&#x20AC;˘ Have you ever been too afraid to share your faith with someone? What was this experience like? What kept you from sharing? â&#x20AC;˘ What do you think it will take for you to be bolder in proclaiming your faith?

Day 5 FOLLOW UP Have you ever been profoundly impacted by a single person? Maybe he or she was with you during a particularly hard time in your life. Maybe he or she guided you in making an important decision in your personal or professional life. We have all been impacted by someone, and probably several people, throughout our lives. Usually, this is someone that we had a meaningful relationship with, someone who we trusted and loved. A common fallacy in the modern church is that most people convert to Christianity through pastors, or through involvement in a specific church program. Although this definitely happens, it occurs on a much smaller scale than we would think. Recent surveys have shown that 5-6% of Christian converts became Christians because of a pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence. 2-3% converted because of a specific program in a local church. However, somewhere between 7590% of people converted to Christianity because of their relationship with a friend or relative. This is a startling statistic, but what does that mean to us? It indicates the power of relationships in sharing the gospel with others. People are more inclined to trust and be influenced by their friends or close family members. This makes sense when we think about it. Do you think you are more inclined to trust one of your close friends, or any random stranger on the sidewalk? Evangelism is often a process. Rarely does anyone believe after their first exposure to Christianity. Frequently, it takes a series of weeks, months, or even years, until a person is ready to commit their lives to Christ. This means a couple things to us as members of the church. First, our relationships matter. We should value our friendships with those who do not yet believe, because we are the ones who are most likely to bring them to faith. In the relationships we have with unbelievers, we must be intentional, exposing them to the gospel both through actions and words. Second, we must be patient and follow up in conversations with those we have expressed our faith to. Conversion rarely happens quickly, and we must not give up on those who have previously rejected our attempts to reach out to them. We may have to engage in what may be a number of conversations concerning Christianity. One of the most important things we can do in our attempts to evangelize is follow up. If we express our faith with someone, and follow up with them later on, it conveys a sense of care. We care for them enough to ask hard questions more than once. We care for their salvation enough that we make more than one attempt for them to see the beauty of the gospel. Following up also builds a sense of trust. It shows we are invested in the friendship, and will not abandon the other person just because he or she responded negatively to our beliefs.

As you continue in your friendships with others, realize that these friendships really matter. You play an important part in the lives of others, and can profoundly influence someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life through your interactions with them. Seek to guide your friends in conversations concerning faith and beliefs, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up on them in this process.

ACTION STEP Send a follow up text to one person you have reached out to this week. Encourage them again and let them know you are still thinking about them and praying for them.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Do you frequently engage in discussions of religion or beliefs with your friends or family members of a different religion? Why or why not? • Do you believe that you can have a positive or profound impact in the lives of those close to you? How can you help them to see the truth of Jesus Christ? • Write a prayer asking God to help you cultivate relationships where you can open up conversations about your faith and share His good news.

THE DINNER PROJECT Week 8

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. Acts 2:46

Congratulations! You made it to the end of Rewired. The goal of this curriculum is to give you some basic principles for living life the Jesus way. The list is in no way exhaustive, but it will help you build a stronger foundation as you continue on your journey. The last week is designed to celebrate your accomplishment, but also look forward to next steps. Typically when Jesus did that, there was food involved. So we are going to do the same thing. Read this story from the end of John. The following event happens after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. John 21:9-12 “When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” What does Jesus do after conquering death and paying the penalty for the sins of the world? He cooks his friends breakfast. That is wonderful news! It means we will be eating for all of eternity (see Luke 24:41-43). It shows once again that we serve a relational God. It reminds us again that Jesus values sharing meals. This pattern is all over the Gospels. Jesus wants to have a meal with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), regularly eats with “sinners” (Mark 2:16), and was called a glutton (Matthew 11:19). Of course, he wasn’t a glutton, but the very fact that some called Him one shows his thoughts on meals. To live life the Jesus way, we need to get back to the art of sharing a meal. That is our goal this week.

The Dinner Project 1. Pick one night out of the week where everyone is free to share a meal. 2. Decide on a location. 3. Assign everyone a dish to bring. 4. Upon arrival, turn off your phones (leave them in a box by the front door if necessary). 5. If possible, do not make any other plans for the rest of the night. Allow yourself to be as present as possible with your peers. 6. Share a meal together. Let the conversation happen organically. 7. Enjoy!