Growing Deeply - Week of August 17
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Sunday Sermon “Why Church?” - August 16 Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. My Notes: Growing Deeply Week of August 17 – August 22 a daily scripture guide Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk. Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk. MONDAY: Acts 2:1-4 Together in one place REFLECTION: People gathered together in expectancy of God. They didn’t know how God would show up, only that the Spirit was promised to be with them after Jesus ascended to heaven. They didn’t know the Spirit, the Spirit’s ways. Imagine their surprise when the wind rushed in on them. Perhaps being together made it easier to receive the Spirit. What do you think? PRAYER: I don’t have to do this alone, living as a follower. Holy Spirit, thank you for being with me and in me. I celebrate this journey with other followers who are with me. TUESDAY: Acts 2:4-13 Speaking of marvelous things REFLECTION: What were they saying when each spoke in a different tongue? Together in one place, they shared God’s work in their lives. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has done marvelous things for us and in us. What has God done for you? ACTION: When you sit at a table to eat, whether at work, home, a friend’s house or otherwise, share one of the marvelous acts of God in your life. WEDNESDAY: Acts 2:14-36 Why church? Remember God’s story REFLECTION: In Peter’s sermon, he names reality saying, “These men are not drunk like you think.” He recites the Hebrew Scripture and then proclaims Jesus who lived, died, and rose again. Every week we come to hear the word proclaimed in the scriptures, songs, liturgy and sermon. We are reminded weekly of the story we are part of and that God in the Spirit is continuing to write. ACTION: Think back to a sermon you remember. How was it similar to Peter’s sermon? THURSDAY: Hebrews 10:19-25 Encourage one another REFLECTION: The faith journey is not easy. It has bumps in it! And valleys…and mountain peaks. In community, we come together to encourage one another, to keep on keeping on. Who can you encourage and remind that together, you are both on this journey? Call them up or meet with them. PRAYER: Jesus, you made us so we can come to you with our prayers. Thank you, Lord! Today, I lift up ____________(person’s name) who’s in need of your encouragement. Use me to share words of hope and endurance with him/her. FRIDAY: 2 Peter 3:16-18 Grow in grace REFLECTION: Thank God I’m not who I used to be! Following Christ and being the church of Christ is a journey. It takes time as we grow in grace and experience God’s transforming power in our lives. Be patient, but keep moving. Don’t settle. Know that each time you read the Bible, say a prayer, receive communion and have holy conversations, you are receiving and experiencing God’s grace. That is growth. PRAYER: May my daily disciplines be the sign of God’s grace in my life. While I can’t see all the changes taking place, one day I’ll look back and realize I’m not who I used to be. Grant me patience with myself, Lord. SATURDAY: Matthew 25:31-46 Love and serve the least REFLECTION: To be the church, we are called to exist for the least, the last and the lost. PRAYER: Open my eyes to see those I’ve deemed invisible. Open my ears to hear the cries and concerns of those around me. Open my hands to serve and hug those who need to know Jesus is real and loves them.
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A Daily Scripture Guide
Transcript of Growing Deeply - Week of August 17
Sunday SermonWhy Church? - August 16Scripture:Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV) They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. My Notes:Growing DeeplyWeek of August 17 August 22a daily scripture guideRead or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.Read or subscribe to the full weeklyGrowing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.MONDAY: Acts 2:1-4 Together in one place REFLECTION: People gathered together in expectancy of God. They didnt know how God would show up, only that the Spirit was promised to be with them after Jesus ascended to heaven. They didnt know the Spirit, the Spirits ways. Imagine their surprise when the wind rushed in on them. Perhaps being together made it easier to receive the Spirit. What do you think? PRAYER: I dont have to do this alone, living as a follower. Holy Spirit, thank you for being with me and in me. I celebrate this journey with other followers who are with me.TUESDAY: Acts 2:4-13 Speaking of marvelous things REFLECTION: What were they saying when each spoke in a different tongue? Together in one place, they shared Gods work in their lives. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has done marvelous things for us and in us. What has God done for you? ACTION: When you sit at a table to eat, whether at work, home, a friends house or otherwise, share one of the marvelous acts of God in your life.WEDNESDAY: Acts 2:14-36 Why church? Remember Gods story REFLECTION: In Peters sermon, he names reality saying, These men are not drunk like you think. He recites the Hebrew Scripture and then proclaims Jesus who lived, died, and rose again. Every week we come to hear the word proclaimed in the scriptures, songs, liturgy and sermon. We are reminded weekly of the story we are part of and that God in the Spirit is continuing to write. ACTION: Think back to a sermon you remember. How was it similar to Peters sermon? THURSDAY: Hebrews 10:19-25 Encourage one another REFLECTION: The faith journey is not easy. It has bumps in it! And valleysand mountain peaks. In community, we come together to encourage one another, to keep on keeping on. Who can you encourage and remind that together, you are both on this journey? Call them up or meet with them. PRAYER: Jesus, you made us so we can come to you with our prayers. Thank you, Lord! Today, I lift up ____________(persons name) whos in need of your encouragement. Use me to share words of hope and endurance with him/her.FRIDAY: 2 Peter 3:16-18 Grow in grace REFLECTION: Thank God Im not who I used to be! Following Christ and being the church of Christ is a journey. It takes time as we grow in grace and experience Gods transforming power in our lives. Be patient, but keep moving. Dont settle. Know that each time you read the Bible, say a prayer, receive communion and have holy conversations, you are receiving and experiencing Gods grace. That is growth. PRAYER: May my daily disciplines be the sign of Gods grace in my life. While I cant see all the changes taking place, one day Ill look back and realize Im not who I used to be. Grant me patience with myself, Lord.SATURDAY: Matthew 25:31-46 Love and serve the least REFLECTION: To be the church, we are called to exist for the least, the last and the lost. PRAYER: Open my eyes to see those Ive deemed invisible. Open my ears to hear the cries and concerns of those around me. Open my hands to serve and hug those who need to know Jesus is real and loves them.
