READING GUIDE:
- Read today's devotion below.
- During days 15-21 (at your own pace) read chapters 7 thru 10 from Joining Jesus on His Mission.
- After days 15-21, meet with your small group and follow the back-of-the-book discussion guide for SESSION 3
In chapter 9 Finke asks the question, "What does the kingdom of God look like?" For those who follow Jesus we see it clearly through the Word and the sacraments, we see it in the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in the lives of His followers, and we see it when we see Jesus-followers loving others.
But what about someone who does not yet know the good news of Jesus? How do they see the kingdom of God present and near? Finke explains that the kingdom of God will look like "where love, hope, or redemption are needed,"
Let's discover this by looking at Jesus...
1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. 6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. 9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” 11 “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” (John 8:1-10 MSG)
How did the woman see love, hope and redemption? How was grace applied to her? What do you learn from Jesus in this account that can be applied to your life?
Finke states, "the bottom line is this: if we see a need for redemption and restoration in a human being, whatever it might be, we can recognize that the kingdom of God is nearby and active. Why? Because that's where Jesus will be." It is then our opportunity to join Him on His mission.
So look at your life, at those around you, and ask yourself these questions...
But what about someone who does not yet know the good news of Jesus? How do they see the kingdom of God present and near? Finke explains that the kingdom of God will look like "where love, hope, or redemption are needed,"
Let's discover this by looking at Jesus...
1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. 6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. 9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” 11 “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” (John 8:1-10 MSG)
How did the woman see love, hope and redemption? How was grace applied to her? What do you learn from Jesus in this account that can be applied to your life?
Finke states, "the bottom line is this: if we see a need for redemption and restoration in a human being, whatever it might be, we can recognize that the kingdom of God is nearby and active. Why? Because that's where Jesus will be." It is then our opportunity to join Him on His mission.
So look at your life, at those around you, and ask yourself these questions...
No comments:
Post a Comment