Family Values: Part 1 - 'A Church in God's Image'
This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
Here are some questions to consider:
Readings:
Matthew 22:36-40
36 ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’
37 Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Prayer and Reflection:
Loving God, thank you that you are indeed the way, the truth and the life. Thank you that in your mercy you forgive us our wrongdoings and even invite us to be involved in your mission of love and redemption to the world you created. By Your Holy Spirit, empower us to be about your business Father God. Help us to love you and love other people more and more. Grow us to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ, and bind us together ever closer, with bonds of unbreakable love and unshakeable faith. In Jesus’ name we have prayed. Amen.
Questions to Consider
1. What do you think your purpose in life is? What were you put on this earth to do?
2. What would you say is God’s mission – and what might your part in it be?
3. What is your vision for the future of your own life – what would you like the future to look like in the years ahead?
4. What season or stage in your journey of faith are you in? Take some time to describe where you have come from, where you want to go and where you are now.
5. What might be your next steps? What might God be calling you to do in the season ahead?