Week 19
Bible Reading
Daily readings from the last week:
John 5-11
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
Service
Off the back of last week’s discussion of ‘denying ourselves and taking up our cross’, Jesus’ words here are timely. The way of the cross, the way of Jesus, isn’t about self-promotion or living a comfortable life. It’s known as the ‘upside down Kingdom’: the way to greatness is to be the least, to be strong is to acknowledge how weak we are; if you want honour, you must be the willing servant of all. Jesus himself demonstrates this in how he lived and what he said: ‘The Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.’ - Mark 10:45.
Learn
One of the things that flows out of our devotion to God is a concern and care for the poor and marginalised. In fact it’s a theme throughout Scripture (see Leviticus 23:22; Proverbs 31:8-9; Galatians 2:10).
Read and discuss Isaiah 58:6-8 together. What are some ways you or we could serve the poor and marginalised together? Are there opportunities within my Location? Are there opportunities in our city? How could we find out about those things?
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 12-18 before you come back next time