real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
READING: COLOSSIANS 1:3-14
What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the grace and love of God?
What did you learn about yourself this week, and/or your role in partnering with SRC for future ministry?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 5 & 6
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
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As I (Pastor Justin) mentioned earlier in the week, years ago my lovely wife and I were able to participate in an 8-week mission trip to Burkina Faso, West Africa. Between our flights, lodging, and food, we needed about $6,000 to make this trip a reality. Dozens of people offered us donations of $50, $100, or more in order for us to go.
While we didn’t know it at the time, God used that experience to begin preparing us for new ministry opportunities. Later in life we were clearly able to see that the finances others provided us didn’t just provide us with flights, lodging, and food. Instead, they provided us with an experience that forever changed our lives. And that experience drew us closer to God, and ultimately prepared us for future ministry.
In the same way that these finances prepared us for future ministry, the tithes and offerings SRC receives prepare our church for future ministry. SRC is moving forward with our vision to provide people the opportunity to experience Real Life, Real Relationships, and Real Purpose through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We’re excited about what’s to come, and we’re excited to have you with us. As you read today, consider this: What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of SRC?
READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20
What are you most excited about when it comes to the future ministry of SRC?
Is there somebody you can share that excitement with?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 3 & 4
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, today I confess that there are times when I’m not necessarily excited for future ministry, or at the very least, there are times when I don’t actually pause to consider what it is I’m excited about. But when it comes to the future ministry of SRC, I want you to know that I really am excited about ____________. I’m excited to think about SRC’s vision to provide people with the opportunity to experience Real Life, Real Relationships, and Real Purpose through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and I’m excited about my part in that. I thank You for this, and much, much more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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How often do you pause to think about the life change that is happening in others around you? For example, what are some of the positives you see in your spouse, your children, your roommates, or others in your Community Group, etc.? Why is it we sometimes shy away from thinking about the life change that is happening in others, or sharing with others the life change that is happening within us?
Within the holistic ministry of SRC, there are lives being changed each and every day. There are some who have just recently professed faith in Jesus. There are others who have decided to express this decision in being baptized. There are still others who are reconciling with their spouse when it seemed that reconciliation was impossible. Changed lives are all around us. And changed lives are all around you.
Here’s a challenge for you. Today, take the opportunity to get in touch with three people you know pretty well (family, friends, colleagues, Community Group members, etc.) and ask them how God has been growing them and having an impact in their life. Similarly, consider sharing with them about the life change God has done (and is doing) in and through you.
READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11
What three people did you talk with today? How has God been growing them and having an impact in their life?
Did you find this hard to do? If so, why do you think it’s hard to ask others to share about what God is doing in and through them?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 1 & 2
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, today I want to confess that there are times when I recognize the negative behaviors or what I believe are unwise decisions others make, as opposed to the positive life change that is evident within their lives. I recognize that if I am to be somebody who regularly encourages others, it’s important for me to see the many aspects of positive life change happening within them. So today I celebrate how others are growing in Christ, and I continue to pray for opportunities to share with others the many ways in which You have impacted me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Years ago, my lovely wife and I (Pastor Justin) participated in a short-term mission trip to Burkina Faso, West Africa. While we have many memories from this experience, one that has stuck with me is a time we attended a local church service. During the service, when there was an announcement for the tithes and offerings, those in attendance jumped out of their seats, began to play instruments, and sang praises to God at the top of their lungs. They then started dancing down the aisle as they placed their tithes and offerings in a small bucket in the front of the room. It was quite an experience. The people were truly excited to give some of their finances to the church. And from our experience, it was apparent that the majority of them had very little to give. But what they had, they gave with a joyful heart.
What was their motivation for giving in such a way? Jesus. The people knew that, as the hymn says, “Jesus Paid it All.” God had transformed each and every one of their lives, and because of that, they were excited to invest in future ministry. They were excited to think about how their small church could be used by God to create life change in others. As you read today, consider this: How excited are you about the life change God has done (and is doing) in and through you? How is God inviting you to respond to Him?
READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-24
How excited are you about the life change God has done (and is doing) in and through you?
Think about a time in your life when you gave a gift cheerfully? What was the gift? Why were you so excited to give it?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Esther 8, 9, & 10
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, when I think about my life five, ten, even twenty years ago, it’s amazing to think about just how much I’ve changed and grown through the years. While some of the life lessons have been very challenging, I recognize that through these challenges, You were preparing me for future ministry.
Today, I simply want to be intentional in taking opportunities to thank You for the many ways in which You’ve impacted my life. Additionally, I pray for opportunities to share these things with others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Take just a moment to consider how often you’re thinking about what’s coming next in your day? In all likelihood you’re doing this dozens of a day without even realizing it. You’re thinking about what you’ll have for breakfast, what errands you need to run, what classes will be like, what to say (or not say) at the meeting you don’t want to attend, who will take the kids to soccer practice, and much more.
Then out of the blue, somebody asks you to think really far ahead. They ask the question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Upon hearing the question you may tense up, thinking to yourself, “I barely pause to think about what’s coming up next week or next month, let alone where I’ll be five years from now!”
Don’t worry, this is completely normal. But even though we can’t always see where we’ll be five years from now, it’s still important to prepare for what’s next. We prepare for school. Prepare for work. Prepare for marriage. Prepare for kids. Prepare for dinner. Prepare for retirement. And more.
At South Ridge Church, we may not know exactly where we’ll be in five years. But we do know that we’re preparing for future ministry. As you read today, consider this: How is God preparing you for future ministry?
READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-6
How is God preparing you for future ministry?
Think about it: how may God be inviting you to partner with SRC for future ministry?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Esther 5, 6, & 7
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, today I confess that I’m regularly thinking about the things I need to do without paying close attention to the things You are doing in and around me. As we begin this new message series, I pray that You will open my eyes to the many ways You are already at work around me, so that I can simply join You in Your work.
Additionally, I pray for the future ministry of our church, and that You will continue to lead and guide me towards knowing and fulfilling the role in which you’ve called me. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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This Reading Guide has been designed for use during “What’s Next” Message Series South Ridge Church – March — April 2019
A Note from Pastor Justin:
In the New Testament, Paul writes a letter to some of the very first Christians in the ancient city of Corinth. Within this letter, three major themes are shared. These themes may be summarized by the phrases:
Throughout 2019, South Ridge Church has been taking an in depth look at Paul’s letter, taking the opportunity to study, “Who We Are,” and “How We Live,” as outlined in 1 Corinthians. Now, we’re going to take the opportunity to consider, “What’s Next?”
This 4-week series will be a great opportunity for you to consider your role in the following: (1) What’s my role in partnering with SRC for future ministry? (2) What’s my role in ministering to others? (3) What’s my role in believing the message of Christ? And (4) What’s my role in passing on the message of Christ?
It’s my hope that this Reading Guide will help you consider questions such as these, and that you will prayerfully consider how God can work within you and through you to accomplish His will.
As we begin this new message series, we encourage you to:
READING: PROVERBS 22:2
What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the grace and love of God?
What did you learn about yourself this week?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 12
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Write out your own prayer to God today.
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Did you know that only 500 words make up over 90% of our everyday language? It’s true. While our vocabulary is vast, we generally rely on a minority of words to communicate the majority of our speech.
One word that is not one of the most commonly used words in our culture is equality. Not only is it not one of the 500 most commonly used words, it’s not even in the top 1,000.
While it’s impossible to know how regularly words like ‘equal’ or ‘equality’ were used in ancient Corinth, it’s clearly one of the themes Paul presents in his writings. But Paul doesn’t just say, “Live in equality.” He goes one step further. Whether writing to the people of Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, or other cities, Paul emphasized that Christians already are equal. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, rich or poor, black or white, married or unmarried. What matters is Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and following Him. Jesus didn’t discriminate based on sex, status, or wealth, and one of the marks of Christianity is to be followers of Jesus, becoming more and more like Him each and every day. As you read today, consider this: How would you define equality?
READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-33, MARK 2:13-17
How would you define equality?
On a scale of 1-10, how well do you think Christians today are setting a godly example regarding equality?
How may God be inviting you to better share with others what His Word says regarding equality?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 11
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess that the topic of equality sometimes leads to tense conversations, as there are many different thoughts and opinions about what it means to live in equality. Today I pray that I would not fear conversations about equality, but I would instead embrace them. I pray that You would help me better listen to those who have a different perspective. That You would give me wisdom to learn from these other perspectives. And that You would bring to light any ungodly thoughts I may have about inequality of wealth, gender, or race. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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According to a 2017 study, 1% of the world’s population has 50% of the world’s wealth. Other statistics indicate that just 6% of the world’s population has 72% of the world’s wealth.
This is not to say that every one of the world’s wealthiest individuals are immoral. But it does show that, overall, the world’s richest individuals likely have a different view of lower class society than those who have little wealth. Similarly, those with little wealth likely have a different view of upper class society than those who have tremendous wealth.
In the ancient city of Corinth, the wealthy and the poor struggled with this dynamic as well, even within the church. Wealthy church members were continuing to have large dinner gatherings with their friends, while poor church members were going hungry. Upon learning of this, Paul was enraged. He writes, “What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter (11:22)!”
Instead, Paul encouraged all Christians, whether rich or poor, men or women, to come together for the Lord’s Supper. He desired each individual to examine him/herself, to identify any ungodly thoughts or actions they may have about wealth or gender. As you read today, consider this: How regularly do you examine your thoughts and actions regarding those of a different wealth? Gender? Race?
READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-33
How regularly do you examine your thoughts and actions regarding those of a different wealth? Gender? Race?
How may God be inviting you to give more time and attention to thinking about wealth, gender, or race? Be specific.
Who can you ask to help you follow through on how you answered the above question?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 10
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, Your Word is clear in communicating the importance of unity among Your people. I confess there are times when unity is hard for me. There are times when I get frustrated with a fellow Christian. There are times when I get frustrated about things that are outside my control. Today, I’m simply reminded that most of life is outside my control. But one thing inside my control is how well I follow You, and how well I choose to be united with others. Continue to provide me with wisdom in how I may live in unity with others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Take the opportunity once again to think about what it would’ve been like to live in ancient times. As you walk through the market, you were likely to see hundreds of men with short hair or shaved heads, as was the norm. The few you may have seen with long hair were likely prostitutes in pagan temples. Similarly, you would see hundreds of women with long hair, as was the norm. The few you may have seen with short hair were likely prostitutes in and around the pagan temples. This, of course, is a completely foreign idea for us. But it does make 1 Corinthians 11 much easier to understand.
In the same way Paul was addressing the importance of head coverings, he took the opportunity to address the length of men and women’s hair. But his concern had nothing to do with their hair, and had everything to do with ensuring that they were seen as honorable individuals throughout the community.
This follows many of the themes expressed throughout Paul’s letter: have strong marriages, be united, build one another up, remove all kinds of immorality, worship God alone. These themes are shared over and over again throughout Paul’s letter. Those who heard this letter being read in public would’ve recognized the value of Paul’s wisdom. As you read today, consider this: In what ways are Christians today not setting an example of honorable living?
READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:2-16
In what ways are Christians today not setting an example of honorable living?
How can Christians today set a better example of honorable living?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Nehemiah 9
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, Your Word reveals so much about the wonders of who You are; Your loving, compassionate nature. Today I simply pray that I will continue to know You, and that I may grow into the person You have made me to be. You have made me to be loving towards others, and I want to be more loving. You have made me to be gracious towards others, and I want to be more gracious. You have made me to forgive others, and I want to be more forgiving. You have made me to be united with others, and I want to be more united. You have made me to be honorable, and I want to be more honorable. Today, Father, my desire is to rest in You in everything. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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