In the Red: Vol. 2 - Daily Devotionals featuring the Words of Jesus

All scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Introduction Welcome to “In The Red” Volume 2!

At The Branch, we are seeking to grow as disciples of Jesus and to help others do the same.

There’s no better way to begin the year than in the words of Jesus. He came that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). This is His heart behind everything He has to say to us. Some of His words are challenging, no doubt, but they are spoken from a place of love and for our sake. This guide is designed to help us take in His words and then walk them out in our daily lives.

There are two sets of questions in this guide. “Sitting With Jesus” is devoted to helping us structure a personal time of reflection on the words of Jesus, Monday through Friday. Every five days, you’ll find a page titled “Sitting With Others.” This is designed to help us have a conversation with someone else about the readings in the previous five days. Following Jesus is not something done in isolation. It’s a team sport. There are times when we need the insight, encouragement, and testimony that others have to offer. Then there are times when we’re the ones to share the insight, encouragement, and testimony. If you need another guide because there’s someone in particular you’d love to do this with and they don’t have one, let us know!

May we see Jesus more clearly and may Jesus be seen more clearly through us in 2020!

Grace and Peace, Chris Seidman Lead Minister The Branch Church

1

MONDAY - FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Luke 7:41-47

(NIV)

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both.

Now which of them will love him more?”

41

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

43

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

44

2

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

3

TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Matthew 21:28-32

(NIV)

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons.

He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

28

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

29

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.

He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

30

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

31

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.

And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

4

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

5

WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Luke 12:35-40

(NIV)

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

35

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

37

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

38

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

39

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

40

6

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

7

THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 6, 2020

Mark 4:3-8

(NIV)

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

3

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

5

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

7

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

8

8

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

9

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Matthew 13:24-30

(NIV)

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

24

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

27

“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

28

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

29

10

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

11

SITTING WITH OTHERS CONNECT • What are you thankful for?

• What struggles or stress is in your life or family?

• What is a need in your community? (And how can we help with it?)

DISCUSS • Which day’s reading from the previous week was most impactful for you?

• Put it in your own words (Like summarizing a movie for a friend) • What did you do to respond?

12

ACCOUNTABILITY • Who could you share this with this next week?

• Who did you share last week’s with? How did it go?

• Last week we discussed a need in our community and an idea of how we could help. How did that go?

• When would you like to meet again?

13

MONDAY - FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Mark 4:26-32

(NIV)

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

26

The Parable of the Mustard Seed Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

30

14

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

15

TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Matthew 13:44-46

(NIV)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

44

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

45

16

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

17

WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 12, 2020

Matthew 18:12-14

(NIV)

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

12

And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

13

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

14

18

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

19

THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Matthew 18:23-34

(NIV)

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.” 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

23

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

26

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[b] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

28

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

29

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

30

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

32

20

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

21

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 14, 2020

Luke 10:30-37

(NIV)

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

10

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

31

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

33

The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

35

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

36

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

37

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

22

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

23

SITTING WITH OTHERS CONNECT • What are you thankful for?

• What struggles or stress is in your life or family?

• What is a need in your community? (And how can we help with it?)

DISCUSS • Which day’s reading from the previous week was most impactful for you?

• Put it in your own words (Like summarizing a movie for a friend) • What did you do to respond?

24

ACCOUNTABILITY • Who could you share this with this next week?

• Who did you share last week’s with? How did it go?

• Last week we discussed a need in our community and an idea of how we could help. How did that go?

• When would you like to meet again?

25

MONDAY - FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Luke 14:16-24

(NIV)

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

16

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

18

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

19

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

20

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

21

“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

22

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

23

26

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

27

TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Luke 14:28-33

(NIV)

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

28

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king.

Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

31

28

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

29

WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Luke 15:4-10

(NIV)

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.

Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

4

The Parable of the Lost Coin “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

8

30

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

31

THU RS DAY - F E BR UARY 20, 2020

Luke 16:1-9

(NIV)

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

3

“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

5

“‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

6

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

7

“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

8

32

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

33

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Matthew 20:1-16

(NIV)

20“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went

out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

3

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

7

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

8

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

9

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own 13

34

money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

16

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

35

SITTING WITH OTHERS CONNECT • What are you thankful for?

• What struggles or stress is in your life or family?

• What is a need in your community? (And how can we help with it?)

DISCUSS • Which day’s reading from the previous week was most impactful for you?

• Put it in your own words (Like summarizing a movie for a friend) • What did you do to respond?

36

ACCOUNTABILITY • Who could you share this with this next week?

• Who did you share last week’s with? How did it go?

• Last week we discussed a need in our community and an idea of how we could help. How did that go?

• When would you like to meet again?

37

MONDAY - FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Luke 18:2-8

(NIV)

He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

2

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

4

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

6

38

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

39

TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 25, 2020

Matthew 25:14-30

(NIV)

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

14

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

19

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

21

“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

22

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

23

“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

24

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not 26

40

scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

28

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

41

WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 26, 2020

Mark 12:1-11

(NIV)

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted

a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

6

“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

7

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: 9

“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

42

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

43

THU RS DAY - F E BR UARY 27, 2020

Matthew 25:1-13

(NIV)

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins

who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

6

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

7

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.

Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

9

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

10

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

11

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

12

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

13

44

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

45

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Matthew 25:31-46

(NIV)

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

31

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

34

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

37

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

40

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

41

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

44

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

45

46

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

46

SITTING WITH JESUS 1. What does this passage say about God?

2. What does it say about the human condition?

3. If it’s true, what would you do to respond?

47

SITTING WITH OTHERS CONNECT • What are you thankful for?

• What struggles or stress is in your life or family?

• What is a need in your community? (And how can we help with it?)

DISCUSS • Which day’s reading from the previous week was most impactful for you?

• Put it in your own words (Like summarizing a movie for a friend) • What did you do to respond?

48

ACCOUNTABILITY • Who could you share this with this next week?

• Who did you share last week’s with? How did it go?

• Last week we discussed a need in our community and an idea of how we could help. How did that go?

• When would you like to meet again?

49

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