Week 18
Bible Reading
Daily readings from the last week:
Matthew 26-28 and John 1-4
Reflect
What stood out to you from your daily readings over the last week? Any questions?
How did you go with what you said you’d do last week?
Discuss
Have someone read the passage and use the SOAP method to explore the text:
S - Scripture (read scripture together)
O - Observe (what do we see? What does it make us think?)
A - Apply (what does this mean for my life?)
P - Pray (pray together)
Don’t miss
The call to deny self
There is no escaping Jesus’ words here. There is no wriggling out from underneath this call. It is unequivocal and inescapable for anyone who wants to follow him - you must deny yourself. That is, put your own preferences, agenda, ambition aside and submit yourself to the way of Jesus. It means that the way we live should show our submission to Jesus - and means we should expect sorrow and suffering as well as much joy and celebration! What does ‘denying yourself’ and ‘taking up your cross’ look like for you?
Learn
Submitting ourselves to Jesus’ rule and reign means holding our whole lives open before him and saying: “Jesus, would you lead me and guide me. I’ll do anything and go anywhere as long as you go with me”. For many people this has meant leaving their homes, work and comforts and moving to a new location - often overseas - to be a missionary. In the coming week, take some time to research a nation or people group and what is being done to reach them with the gospel, then come back next week and share with each other what you’ve learned, and spend time praying about how you might be involved in some way.
Alternatively, you could check out the missionary page on our website and take some time each day to pray for one of the projects that stands out to you.
Pray
Spend time praying about what you’re learning.
Next Steps
What is a key takeaway from today?
Who are you going to tell about what you’ve been learning?
Read John 5-11 before you come back next time