praying for spiritual growth and...

PrayingforSpiritualGrowthandRenewal

LentenPrayerJourney

2018

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

MYPRAYERGROUPCOVENANT............................................................................................3

INTRODUCTIONTOPRAYINGFORSPIRITUALGROWTH&RENEWAL.......................4

PRAYEREXPERIENCE1:CHURCHRENEWAL.......................................................................6

PRAYEREXPERIENCE2:SPIRITUALGROWTH....................................................................8

PRAYEREXPERIENCE3:MISSIONS......................................................................................10

PRAYEREXPERIENCE4:YOUTHANDCHILDREN’SMINISTRIES.................................12

PRAYEREXPERIENCE5:CULTUREOFGENEROSITY.......................................................14

PRAYEREXPERIENCE6:CHURCHVISIONANDMISSION...............................................16

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MYPRAYERGROUPCOVENANTMyPrayerGroup(names,phones,emailaddresses)1.2.3.OURCOVENANTOurPrayerGroupGoalsare:

• Tomeetfordiscussionandprayer6timesoverthenextsixweeks;

• Tofaithfullyattendeachgroupprayergathering,havingreadeachsession’sprayerstudyguidebeforeeachmeeting;

• TostudyanddiscussScripturepassageslistedinthisguide;

• Topraydailyforoneanother,fortheotherprayergroups,forourchurch,forourcommunity,andforgrowthandrenewal;

• Tohaveanopenmind,listeningforGod’svoiceandwatchingforGod’sleading;

• Tokeepajournalofsignificantdiscussions,insights,andexperiencesthattakeplaceinprivateprayerorwhenwearetogether.

Signed:__________________________________ Date:___________

Signed:__________________________________ Date:___________

Signed:__________________________________ Date:___________

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INTRODUCTIONTOPRAYINGFORSPIRITUALGROWTH&RENEWALMarkopenshisgospelwiththestoryofJesus’calltoministry.InMark1:9-13,wereadthestoryofJesus’baptismandhistimeinthewilderness:

InthosedaysJesuscamefromNazarethofGalileeandwasbaptizedbyJohnintheJordan.Andjustashewascomingupoutofthewater,hesawtheheavenstornapartandtheSpiritdescendinglikeadoveonhim.Andavoicecamefromheaven,“YouaremySon,theBeloved;withyouIamwellpleased.”AndtheSpiritimmediatelydrovehimoutintothewilderness.Hewasinthewildernessfortydays,temptedbySatan;andhewaswiththewildbeasts;andtheangelswaitedonhim.

ThefortydaysbetweenAshWednesdayandEasterSundayhavebeenameaningfultimeforChristiansthroughoutthecenturies.LentisaseasonintheChurchcalendarwhenwefocusonreflectionandspiritualrenewal,commemoratingJesus’timeoffastingandprayerinthewildernessbeforehebeganhispublicministry.Thetimeperiodof40daysand40nightsissignificantnotonlyinthelifeofJesus,butthroughouttheBible.AcarefulreadingrevealsthewaysprophetsandgreatleadershaveexperienceddeepcommunionwithGodandpersonaltransformationoverthecourseofsixweeks.SoeachweekinLent,wearecommittingtogathertogetherinsmallprayergroupstoreflectonhowGodinvitesuseachoneofustospiritualgrowthandrenewal.PrayingforSpiritualGrowthandRenewalisatimeforlistening,asGodworkstoinspireourheartsandengageourminds.InourPrayerGroupswewillseektoconnectwithGod,connectwitheachother,anddiscernhowGodiscallingustonewlife.Overthecourseofabouttwomonths,we’llfocusonthefollowingthemes:

1. Churchrenewal2. Spiritualgrowth3. Missions4. Youthandchildren’sministries5. GenerosityandGratitude6. ChurchVision

Webelievethatdiscovernewlifebyengaginginboththeinwardjourneyofspiritualgrowthandtheoutwardjourneyofhelpingothers.Ourweeklyreflectionsandprayeractivitieswillhelpyoutoreflectonbothsidesofyourspiritualjourney.Wealsohopethatthiswillbeatimeforyoutoprayforourchurch,thinkaboutoursharedmissionandministry,andreflectonthewaysGodmaybecallingyoutoengageonadeeperlevel.

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EachPrayerexperiencefollowsthisoutline:GATHERINGWewillbeginwithatimeofreflectionandprayerrelatedtothewaysinwhichGodhasbeenatworkinourlivessinceourlastgatheringandpreparingfortheconversationahead.REFLECTINGONTHEMESSAGEOFSCRIPTUREOurspiritualjourneyisguidedbythewitnesstoGod’sworkintheworldfoundinScripture.Eachsessionwillexplorethemeaningofacertainpassageandhowitinformstheday’sfocus.DEVOTIONALRELFECTIONSReflectionsfrompastors,theologians,artists,churchleadersandpoetswillstimulatethoughtandconversation.Questionswillbeaskedtoprobedeeperandguideconversation.GUIDEFORPRAYERANDREFLECTIONYouwillhavetheopportunitytopersonallyapplytheday’sfocusduringthispartofthegathering.Ourlearninggrowsaswebuildconnectionswithwhatwearehearingandlearningtoourlivesandtoourcongregation.PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDOURCONGREGATIONPrayingforSpiritualGrowth&RenewalisaboutnurturingourrelationshipswithGodandeachother.ItisaboutcommunicatingwithGodthroughthestudyofScripture,throughourconversationsandexplorationswitheachother,andthroughstructuredtimesofprayer.Eachprayerandsharingexperiencewillendwithatimeofintentionalandfocusedprayer.Promptsforprayerwillbeoffered,butyouareencouragedtoprayforotherthingsasGodleads.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITYWewantthisprayerexperiencetonotonlybeaninwardjourneyofspiritualgrowth,butalsoanoutwardjourneyoftransformation.Thisfinalsectionisyouropportunitytoapplythelessonsfromtheprayerexperiencetoyourlifeintangibleways.ThiscommitmentisbetweenyouandGodanddoesnotnecessarilyhavetobesharedwithyourgroup.Untilyourprayergroupmeetsagain,wehopeyouspendtimeinprayerandapplyingwhatyou’velearned.Pleasenote:thatthetimesallocatedtotheaboveconversationsmayvaryfromweektoweek.Theseallocationsarejustsuggestionstohelpkeepyouontrack.Pleaseuseyourtimetogetherinthemostmeaningfulwaypossible.

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE1:CHURCHRENEWALOurFocus:Congregationalrenewalisnotaboutinitiatinganewprogramorfollowinganewformula.Itisaboutopeningourselvesuptobeingtransformed--beingformedanew--bythelivingGod.RenewaloccurswhenwegetridofthethingsthatclutterourlivesandpreventusfromfollowingGodwholeheartedly.GATHERING (5MINUTES;timesareabbreviatedforthisintroductoryexperience)

• BeginwithatimeofprayerandbysharingyourexpectationsandhopesforyourPrayingforSpiritualGrowth&Renewalexperience.

REFLECTINGONTHEMESSAGEOFSCRIPTURE(10MINUTES)

Iappealtoyoutherefore,brothersandsisters,bythemerciesofGod,topresentyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice,holyandacceptabletoGod,whichisyourspiritualworship.2Donotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourminds,sothatyoumaydiscernwhatisthewillofGod—whatisgoodandacceptableandperfect.

3ForbythegracegiventomeIsaytoeveryoneamongyounottothinkofyourselfmorehighlythanyou

oughttothink,buttothinkwithsoberjudgment,eachaccordingtothemeasureoffaiththatGodhasassigned.4Forasinonebodywehavemanymembers,andnotallthemembershavethesamefunction,5sowe,whoaremany,areonebodyinChrist,andindividuallywearemembersoneofanother.6Wehavegiftsthatdifferaccordingtothegracegiventous:prophecy,inproportiontofaith;7ministry,inministering;theteacher,inteaching;8theexhorter,inexhortation;thegiver,ingenerosity;theleader,indiligence;thecompassionate,incheerfulness.(Romans12:1-8)

DiscussionQuestions

1. Whatspiritualgiftsdoyouseeactiveinourcongregation?2. WhatarethegiftsthatyoubelieveGodhasgivenyouorothershaveaffirmedinyou?

3. Howareyouusingthosegiftstosupportourmissionandministry?

DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS (10MINUTES)Discontentmentisagifttothechurch.Ifyouareoneofthosepeoplewhohastheabilitytoseethethingsthatarewronginthechurchandintheworld,youshouldthankGodforthatperception.Noteveryonehastheeyestosee,ortonoticeortocare.Butwemustalsoseethatourdiscontentmentisnotareasontodisengagefromthechurchbutareasontoengagewithit.AsGandhisaid,“Bethechangeyouwanttoseeintheworld.”Ourinvitationisto“bethechange”wewanttoseeinthechurch.Therearethingsworthprotesting,butwealsohavetobethepeoplewho“pro-testify,”proclaimingthekingdomthatwe’refor,notjusttheevilswe’reagainst.JesusofferedanalternativetoCaesar’sempirenotbymountingarebellionbutbyteachingpeoplethatanotherwayispossible.ThatwayissummedupwellinJesus’triumphalentry,theinauguralparadeofanewkindofkingforanewkindofkingdom.Churchhistoryisfilledwithholydissenters,rabble-rousers,andprophets–disturbersofthepeacewho’vehelpedtoshowusabetterway.Assomechurchhistorianshavepointedout,everyfewhundredyearsthechurchgetsclutteredbyandinfectedwiththematerialismandmilitarismoftheworldaroundit.Webegintoforgetwhoweare.Onebishopsaid,“Andsoeveryfive

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hundredyearsorsothechurchneedsarummagesale,”togetridoftheclutterandtorememberthetruetreasuresofourfaith.

Churchhistoryisfilledwithreformationsandrenewals.ItwasinthemiddleofItaly’swealthandcrusadesthatSt.FrancisheardGodwhisper,“Repairmychurchwhichisinruins,”andhebegantorepairtheruins.Atonepointthepopehadavisionthatthechurchwasbeginningtocrumble,butthecornerwasbeingheldupbyFrancisandthelittleyouthmovementinAssisi.ThecalltorepairthechurchisacallwecontinuetohearfromGodandamovementweareinvitedtoparticipatein.Weshouldn’tbetoosurprisedthechurchisamess.Afterall,it’smadeupofpeople…Wearenottoleaveher,butwearetoworkforherhealing,aswewouldwithadysfunctionalparent.Ourworkisnot“para-church”but“pro-church.”Thechurchneedsourdiscontent,andweneedtherestofthebodyofChrist.Onepastorsaiditlikethis:“ThechurchissortoflikeNoah’sark.It’sastinkymessinside,butifyougetout,you’lldrown.”

(ExcerptfromCommonPrayer:ALiturgyforOrdinaryRadicals,ShaneClaiborne,JonathanWilson-Hartgrove,andEnumaOkoro)PROMPTSFORPRAYERANDREFLECTION(10MINUTES)

1. Whatisthe“clutter”inourownlifethatgetsinthewayofspiritualgrowth?Areyoubringingyourcluttertothechurchanddroppingitoff,orareyouallowingthechurchtorepairyourheartandhelpyouhearfromGod?

2. WhatmessesorcluttersinourcommunitydoyouthinkViennaBaptistiscalledtoaddress?Why?

3. Goddesiresallchurchestobemission-focusedandwecanchoosetoliveintothiscalling.Whatarewaysyouhaveseenusinthepastorseeustodayengaginginmission?Whatare2-3thingsourcongregationcoulddooverthenextyeartobemoremission-focused?

PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)Prayforeachotherbyname.PraythatasyoujourneytogetherandwithGodoverthenextfewweeks,youwillexperiencethejoyofdiscoveringandpursuingGod’sdirectionforyourlife.PraythatourcongregationwillexperiencetheblessingofGod’spresenceandbewillingtobeGod’slivingpresenceinthecommunityandtheworld.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)Takeapieceofpaperandpen.Writealistofthethingsthatyouhavebeencarryingaroundwithyouthatyouwouldconsider“clutter.”Writedownthingsyouthinkourchurchiscarryingaroundas“clutter.”Makeacommitmenttoridyourselfofonepieceofclutterfromyourlistthisweek.Then,asyouleave,takethelist,tearitintolittlepieces,andplacethepiecesinthetrashcan.RemindyourselfthatGodhascometowashawaythemessandclutterinourlives,thatwemayexperiencenewjoyandhope.

TheDreamofPopeInnocentIIIbyGiottodiBondone

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE2:SPIRITUALGROWTHOurFocus:Inthishour,pleaseprayforthespiritualgrowthofourchurch.Prayforopportunitiesofspiritualformationforeachpersoninourchurchandforthegroupasawhole.PrayforourBiblestudyanddiscipleshipopportunities.PraythatwewilldiscernmovementsoftheSpiritwithinourcommunityandrespondaccordingly.Praythatwewouldinviteotherstojourneywithus.GATHERING(7MINUTES)

• Openwithprayercenteredonourfocustheme.• Whatpartoflastweek’sgatheringresonatedwithyoumoststrongly?• Howwastheexperienceoftryingto“de-clutter”yourlife?


42Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostles’teachingandfellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers.

43Awecameuponeveryone,becausemanywondersandsignswerebeingdonebytheapostles.44Allwhobelievedweretogetherandhadallthingsincommon;45theywouldselltheirpossessionsandgoodsanddistributetheproceedstoall,asanyhadneed.46Daybyday,astheyspentmuchtimetogetherinthetemple,theybrokebreadathomeandatetheirfoodwithgladandgeneroushearts,47praisingGodandhavingthegoodwillofallthepeople.AnddaybydaytheLordaddedtotheirnumberthosewhowerebeingsaved.(Acts2:42-47)DiscussionQuestions

1. Lukelistsfivekeyareastohealthycongregationallife:teaching,fellowship,worship,service,andgenerosity.WheredoyouseetheseareaslivedoutatVBC?

2. Whichoftheseareasnourishesyoursoulthemost?Whatareadoyoustrugglewiththemost?

3. Howdoyouseeourchurchdeveloping“thegoodwillofallthepeople”inourcommunity?DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS(10MINUTES)Spiritualformationrequirestakingnotonlytheinwardjourneytotheheart,butalsotheoutwardjourneyfromthehearttocommunityandministry.Christianspiritualityisessentiallycommunal.Spiritualformationisformationincommunity.One’spersonalprayerlifecanneverbeunderstoodifitisseparatedfromcommunitylife.Prayerinthespirituallifeleadstocommunity,andcommunitytoprayer.Incommunitywelearnwhatitmeanstoconfessourweaknessandtoforgiveeachother.Incommunitywediscoverourownwoundedness,butalsoaplaceofhealing.Incommunitywelearntruehumility.Withoutcommunity,webecomeindividualisticandegocentric.Therefore,spiritualformationalwaysincludesformationtolifeincommunity…Christianspiritualitynotonlyflowsfromcommunitybutcreatescommunity.ItnurturesthelifeoftheSpiritinus,withinus,andamongus.TheSpiritofGoddwellsinthecenterofourheartandisthecenterofourlifetogether.Indeed,whatismostpersonalprovestobethemostpublic;whatismostnourishingforourindividuallivesprovestobethebestfoodforourlivesasthepeopleofGodlivinginandactingonbehalfofthesufferingworld.Itisthereforenotsurprisingthatprayerandcommunityarealwaysfound

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together,becausethesameSpiritwhopraysinusistheSpiritwhobindsustogetherintoonebodyaswearecalledtoloveeachotherandworkforarenewedworld.(ExcerptfromHenriNouwen,SpiritualFormation:FollowingtheMovementsoftheSpirit,xxvi-xxvii)PROMPTSFORPRAYERANDREFLECTION(10MINUTES)

1. Whathasbeingapartofthisfaithcommunitytaughtyouaboutyourselfand/oryourrelationshipwithGod?Tellastoryaboutwhenyoulearnedthislesson.

2. Whoisapersonthathashelpedyougrowinyourfaith?Isthereastorythatcomestomindthatillustratestheimpacttheyhavemadeonyourlife?

3. Whoarepeopleyoutaketimetopraywithandforinourcongregation?Takesometimetopray

forthosepeopleandtheirspiritualgrowth.Ifyoudonothavepeopleyouregularlyshareprayerconcernswith,askGodtohelpyoudiscoverasmallgroupsoyoucangrowincommunitywithothers.

PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)ThankGodforthepeopleandrelationshipsthathaveshapedyourfaithjourney.Spendtimegivingthanksforthementors,teachers,andfriendsalongtheway.AskGodtohelpshowyoupeopleinourcongregationandinyourlifethatyoucanencourage,support,andcareforasothershavedoneforyou.Prayforourcongregation,thatwemaydevelopmeaningfulrelationshipsandgrowinfaithtogetherasacommunity.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)Takesometimetorememberandsharethestoryofanexperienceinthechurchorinyourjourneyoffaiththatchangedyoupersonallyinameaningfulway.Forthosementors,teachers,andfriendsyou’vethoughtaboutduringtoday’ssession,ifpossiblesendthemanoteorgivethemacalltoletthemknowthewaysthey’veimpactedyourlife.Also,spendtimethinkingaboutwhoyouwillencourageandsupportthisweek.

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE3:MISSIONSOurFocus:Inthishour,pleaseprayfortheneedsofourlocalcommunity.Prayforstudentsandteachers,youngfamiliesandretirees,homelessneighborsandaffluentones.Prayforourchurch,thatwewouldbeacommunityoffaiththatservesourcommunityandmeetspeople’sneeds.GATHERING (7MINUTES)

• Openwithprayercenteredonourfocustheme.• Whatpartoflastweek’sgatheringresonatedwithyoumoststrongly?• Whatwasyourexperiencewithwritingcardsorreachingouttomentors/teachers?• Whatwasyourexperiencewithencouragingothers?


31“WhentheSonofMancomesinhisglory,andalltheangelswithhim,thenhewillsitonthethroneofhisglory.32Allthenationswillbegatheredbeforehim,andhewillseparatepeopleonefromanotherasashepherdseparatesthesheepfromthegoats,33andhewillputthesheepathisrighthandandthegoatsattheleft.34Thenthekingwillsaytothoseathisrighthand,‘Come,youthatareblessedbymyFather,inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld;35forIwashungryandyougavemefood,Iwasthirstyandyougavemesomethingtodrink,Iwasastrangerandyouwelcomedme,36Iwasnakedandyougavemeclothing,Iwassickandyoutookcareofme,Iwasinprisonandyouvisitedme.’37Thentherighteouswillanswerhim,‘Lord,whenwasitthatwesawyouhungryandgaveyoufood,orthirstyandgaveyousomethingtodrink?38Andwhenwasitthatwesawyouastrangerandwelcomedyou,ornakedandgaveyouclothing?39Andwhenwasitthatwesawyousickorinprisonandvisitedyou?’40Andthekingwillanswerthem,‘TrulyItellyou,justasyoudidittooneoftheleastofthesewhoaremembersofmyfamily,youdidittome.’(Matthew25:31-40)

DiscussionQuestions1. Whatsurprisesyou,challengesyou,orinspiresyouaboutthispassage?

2. Wheredoyouseesomeoftheseneedsinourcommunitytoday?

3. HowmightGodbecallingyoutomeetoneoftheseneeds?

DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS(10MINUTES)Thefollowingsectioncontainsaseriesofquotesaboutmakingadifferenceinourcommunity.Readeachquoteslowly,takingtimetopauseandreflect.Maybeyouwanttowritedownconnectionsyoumakeorinspirationyou’vediscovered.Sharewithoneanotherhowthesequotesarespeakingtoyoutoday.Perhapswecanbringthedaywhenchildrenwilllearnfromtheirearliestdaysthatbeingfullymanandfullywomanmeanstogiveone'slifetotheliberationofthebrotherwhosuffers.Itisuptoeachoneofus.Itwon'thappenunlesswedecidetouseourlivestoshowtheway.–CesarChavez

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Whatwewouldliketodoischangetheworld--makeitalittlesimplerforpeopletofeed,clothe,andshelterthemselvesasGodintendedthemtodo.And,byfightingforbetterconditions,bycryingoutunceasinglyfortherightsoftheworkers,thepoor,ofthedestitute--therightsoftheworthyandtheunworthypoor,inotherwords--wecan,toacertainextent,changetheworld;wecanworkfortheoasis,thelittlecellofjoyandpeaceinaharriedworld.Wecanthrowourpebbleinthepondandbeconfidentthatitsever-wideningcirclewillreacharoundtheworld.Werepeat,thereisnothingwecandobutlove,and,dearGod,pleaseenlargeourheartstoloveeachother,toloveourneighbor,toloveourenemyasourfriend.–DorothyDay

Everybodycanbegreat...becauseanybodycanserve.Youdon'thavetohaveacollegedegreetoserve.Youdon'thavetomakeyoursubjectandverbagreetoserve.Youonlyneedaheartfullofgrace.Asoulgeneratedbylove.–MartinLutherKing,Jr.PROMPTSFORPRAYERANDREFLECTION(15MINUTES)

1. Ifit’sanicedayoutside,takesometimetowalkaroundtheneighborhoodtogether.Considertakingadifferentroutethanyouarefamiliarwithortrytonoticesomethingnewonanoldsidewalk.Asyouwalk,prayforthepeoplewholiveinthehomesandhowourchurchcanbetterservethem.TakeanotepadwithyouandwritedownthingsyouobserveorsomethingGodbringstoyourattention.

2. Iftheweatherisn’tniceoutside,grabanotepadandspendtimereflectingonwhatyourneighborhoodlookedlikewhenyoufirstmovedtothearea.Wholivedinthearea?Whatisyourfirstmemoryoflivinginthecommunity?Then,takesometimetoconsiderhowthecommunityhaschanged.Whatchangesdoyouseeasyoudrivethroughthestreets?Whatchangeshavesurprisedyouaboutthecommunity?Whatremainsthesame?WhatdoyouthinkViennawillbelikein10years?Spendtimeprayingforourcommunity’spast,present,andfuture.AskGodtohelpusdiscernhowtobestserveourneighbors.

PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)

• Thinkofoneofourmissionpartners.Youcanvisitthe“serve”sectionofourwebsiteifyouneedhelpthinkingofourpartners.Prayforoneofthemspecifically.Youcanlookuptheirwebsitetogiveyoumorespecificideasforhowtoprayforthem.LookforwaysyoucanbeinvolvedinhowGodisalreadyatworkinourworldthroughourmissionprojectsandserviceopportunities.

WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)Rememberandsharethestoryofthemostmeaningfulexperienceyou’vehadhelpingothers.Whatdidyoudo?Whydiditmakesuchanimpactonyourlife?Ifyouaren’tconnectedtoamissionprojectorserviceopportunity,askGodtoguideyoutoaplaceofservicethatwouldconnectyourdeepestpassionswithourcommunity’sdeepestneeds.

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE4:YOUTHANDCHILDREN’SMINISTRIESOurFocus:Inthishour,prayfortheyouthandchildreninourchurchandfortheirfamilies.Prayforourministryandwayswecanequipfamiliestohelpinthefaithformationoftheirchildren.Prayforthosewhoserveourchildreninministry.PraythatwetakethetimeandefforttolearnaboutGodthroughthemandfindwaystoincorporatethemasequalpartnersinfaith.PrayforourkidsastheycontinuetodiscovertheiridentityinChristandhowtoliveoutthatidentityinallaspectsoflife.GATHERING (7MINUTES)

• Openwithprayercenteredonourfocustheme.• Whatpartoflastweek’sgatheringresonatedwithyoumoststrongly?• Didyoufeelaneworrenewedcallingtoaparticularmissionprojectorserviceopportunity?Ifso,

whatwasitandwhy?REFLECTINGONTHEMESSAGEOFSCRIPTURE(10MINUTES)4ForeverythingcreatedbyGodisgood,andnothingistoberejected,provideditisreceivedwiththanksgiving;5foritissanctifiedbyGod’swordandbyprayer.

6Ifyouputtheseinstructionsbeforethebrothersandsisters,youwillbeagoodservantofChristJesus,nourishedonthewordsofthefaithandofthesoundteachingthatyouhavefollowed.7Havenothingtodowithprofanemythsandoldwives’tales.Trainyourselfingodliness,8for,whilephysicaltrainingisofsomevalue,godlinessisvaluableineveryway,holdingpromiseforboththepresentlifeandthelifetocome.9Thesayingissureandworthyoffullacceptance.10Fortothisendwetoilandstruggle,becausewehaveourhopesetonthelivingGod,whoistheSaviorofallpeople,especiallyofthosewhobelieve.

11Thesearethethingsyoumustinsistonandteach.12Letnoonedespiseyouryouth,butsetthebelieversanexampleinspeechandconduct,inlove,infaith,inpurity.13UntilIarrive,giveattentiontothepublicreadingofscripture,toexhorting,toteaching.14Donotneglectthegiftthatisinyou,whichwasgiventoyouthroughprophecywiththelayingonofhandsbythecouncilofelders.15Putthesethingsintopractice,devoteyourselftothem,sothatallmayseeyourprogress.16Paycloseattentiontoyourselfandtoyourteaching;continueinthesethings,forindoingthisyouwillsavebothyourselfandyourhearers.

(1Timothy4:4-16.seealso:Acts16:1-5,Luke1:26-56)

DiscussionQuestions

1. Whatisthemostmeaningfulfaithexperienceyouhadasayouthorchild?Whydoesitcontinuetoresonatewithyou?

2. Howdoyouseethecallingsandcontributionsofouryouthandchildrencelebratedatourchurch?Whatareothercreativewayswecouldnurturethem?

DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS (10MINUTES)Children’sministrythatemphasizesformingdisciplesofJesusisaboutwalkingalongsidechildrenonthepathofdiscipleship,apprenticingthemintothewaythatJesuslaidoutforallofus...Weareformedasdisciplesevenasweformothers.Childrenandadultswalkthepathtogetherasequalsonacommonjourneyofdiscipleship...Children’sministrycanbecomeataleoffriendsonaspiritualjourney,ajourney

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offollowingJesusonestepatatime.Ascommonpilgrimsalongthispath,adultsandchildrenhavemuchtoteachoneanother…[Childrenremind]usofthecreativity,exuberance,authenticityandfearthatcomealongwiththejourney.TheyshowuswhatcloseconnectionstoGodlooklike.TheyremindustothankGodforthelittlethingsinlifeandthatit’sokaytocryouttoGodingut-wrenchinglamentwhenweareoverwhelmed,afraidorsaddened.AswehavefollowedJesusside-by-sidewithyoungdisciples,ourspiritshavebeenliftedandchallenged,andwehavebeengiventhefreedomtoenjoythejourney.Afterall,childrendon’tjustwalkalongthepath-theyrun,skip,slide,hop,playanddanceastheyfollowinJesus’footsteps.[ExcerptfromChildren’sMinistryintheWayofJesusbyDavidM.CsinosandIvyBeckwith]PROMPTSFORREFLECTIONANDPRAYER(10MINUTES)

1. InourScripturepassages,youreadaboutyouthwhoanswerthecalltoministry.HowdowemakespaceforandhelpouryouthunderstandandanswertheircallstofollowGod?Whatarestepsyoucantaketobepartofthatprocess?

2. Thinkofsomeofouryouthbyname.NameatalentGodhasgiventhem.Howcanyouandourchurchacknowledgetheirgiftedness?Howcanweencouragethemtousethosegiftstopastorothers?Thenexttimeyouseethoseyouth,acknowledgetheirgiftednesswiththem.

3. AsolderdisciplesofChrist,wearecalledtoguidechildrenintheongoingprocessoffaith

formation.Howcanyouhelpourchurchwalkalongsidechildrenintheirfaithformation?PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)ThankGodforthewaysyourfaithjourneywasimpactedasayouthorchildbycaringadults.SpendtimeinprayerforourPastorforYouthandChildrenGinnyRichardson,ourVolunteerChildren’sMinistryAssociateLynnCollins,andallofouramazingyouthandchildren’sministryvolunteers.PrayforthefaithformationofouryouthandchildrenastheygrowintothepeopleGodhasuniquelycreatedthemtobe.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)JesuscallsustocometoGod’skingdomwiththeheartofachild.Atreasuredpracticeofchildreniscoloring.“PrayinginColor”isanactive,meditative,playfulprayerpractice.Gatheracollectionofcoloredpencils,crayons,andpaper.Takeapieceofpaper,apencil,andafewcrayons.Onyourpieceofpaper,drawashape(itcouldbeatriangle,imperfectcircle,etc.).Writethenameofachildinyourfamily,thefamiliesofourchurchorsomethingspecificyoufeelcalledtoprayforourministryintheshape.Adddetailtothedrawing.Thismightbedots,lines,circles,zigzags,orwhateveryouwouldliketodo.Thinkofeachstrokeandeachmomentastimethatyouspendwiththepersonorissueinprayer.Addcolortoyourshape.Youcanmakeothershapesandprayforotherchildrenandtheirfamiliesorprayforotherpartsofourchildren’sministry.(InstructionsfoundinSybilMacBeth’sPrayinginColor).

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE5:CULTUREOFGENEROSITYOurFocus:Inthishour,weaskthatyouprayforGodtogrowacultureofgenerosityinourcongregation.PraythatourheartswouldoverflowwiththanksgivingforwhatGodhasdoneandourspiritswouldbefilledwithhopeinwhatGodisabouttodo.Praythatwewouldshowourgratitudeandhopebygivinggenerouslyofourtime,talentsandtreasuretosupportGod’sworkinthechurchandintheworld.GATHERING (7MINUTES)

• Openwithprayercenteredonourfocustheme.• Whatpartoflastweek’sgatheringresonatedwithyoumoststrongly?


6Thepointisthis:theonewhosowssparinglywillalsoreapsparingly,andtheonewhosowsbountifullywillalsoreapbountifully.7Eachofyoumustgiveasyouhavemadeupyourmind,notreluctantlyorundercompulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.8AndGodisabletoprovideyouwitheveryblessinginabundance,sothatbyalwayshavingenoughofeverything,youmayshareabundantlyineverygoodwork.9Asitiswritten,

“Hescattersabroad,hegivestothepoor; hisrighteousnessenduresforever.”10Hewhosuppliesseedtothesowerandbreadforfoodwillsupplyandmultiplyyourseedforsowingandincreasetheharvestofyourrighteousness.11Youwillbeenrichedineverywayforyourgreatgenerosity,whichwillproducethanksgivingtoGodthroughus;12fortherenderingofthisministrynotonlysuppliestheneedsofthesaintsbutalsooverflowswithmanythanksgivingstoGod.13ThroughthetestingofthisministryyouglorifyGodbyyourobediencetotheconfessionofthegospelofChristandbythegenerosityofyoursharingwiththemandwithallothers,14whiletheylongforyouandprayforyoubecauseofthesurpassinggraceofGodthathehasgivenyou.15ThanksbetoGodforhisindescribablegift!(2Corinthians9:6-15).DiscussionQuestions

1. Whatareyougratefulforrightnowinyourlife?Whatareyoucelebrating?

2. Whatisthemostjoyfulexperienceyou’vehadgivingtoothers?Why?DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS (10MINUTES)Onourown,weconclude:thereisnotenoughtogoaroundwearegoingtorunshortofmoney,oflove,ofgrades,ofpublications,ofmembers,ofyears,oflifeweshouldseizetheday,seizeourgoods,seizeourneighboursgoodsbecausethereisnotenoughtogoaroundandinthemidstofourperceiveddeficityoucome

youcomegivingbreadinthewildernessyoucomegivingchildrenatthe11thhouryoucomegivinghomestoexilesyoucomegivingfuturestotheshutdownyoucomegivingEasterjoytothedeadyoucome–fleshedinJesus.andwewatchwhiletheblindreceivetheirsight,thelamewalkthelepersarecleansed,thedeafhearthedeadareraised,thepoordanceandsing

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wewatchandwetakefoodwedidnotgrowandlifewedidnotinventandfamiliesandneighborswhosustainuswhenwedidnotdeserveit.Itdawnsonus–lateratherthansoon-thatyou“givefoodindueseasonyouopenyourhandandsatisfythedesireofeverylivingthing.”Byyourgiving,breakourcyclesofimaginedscarcityoverrideourpresumeddeficitsquietouranxietiesoflacktransformourperceptualfieldtoseetheabundance………mercyuponmercy

blessinguponblessing.SinkyourgenerositydeepintoourlivesthatyourmuchnessmayexposeourfalselackthatendlesslyreceivingwemayendlesslygivesothattheworldmaybemadeEasternew,withoutgreedylack,butonlywonder,withoutcoerciveneedbutonlylove,withoutdestructivegreedbutonlypraisewithoutaggressionandinvasiveness….allthingsEasternew…..allaroundus,towardusandbyusallthingsEasternew.Finishyourcreation,inwonder,loveandpraise.Amen.

(Excerptfrom“OnGenerosity”inInscribingtheTextbyWalterBrueggemann)PROMPTSFORPRAYERANDREFLECTION(10MINUTES)

1. WritedownallthewaysGodhasblessedyouthisyear.WheredoyouseeGodatworkinyourlife?

2. Whatwouldgenerousgivingofyourtime,talentsandtreasuretoGodlooklikethisyear?

3. SpendtimeinprayerthankingGodforallthewaysyouhaveexperiencedincreasedfaith,hopeandlovethisyear.Prayforthischurch,bothinthanksgivingandinhopeforthefutureasweseektodiscernandtobefaithfultoGod’svisionforus.PrayforyourselfandyourfamilythatyoumayhearhowGodisuniquelycallingyoutoserveandtoanswerthatcallwithboldness.

PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)ThanksgivingacknowledgesthatGodisthesourceofallgoodgiftsandblessings.Remember,name,andthankGodforyourblessingsandfortheblessingsGodhasgiventoourchurch.AskthatGod’sgoodnessmightoverflowsopowerfullyinyourlifethatyoucandonothingelsebutrespondbybeinggeneroustootherswithyourwholelife.MayGodformusintopeopleofsuchblessingthatothersliftpraisestoGodinthanksgivingandinthiswaycreateaworldofgenerousgivingandfulfilledliving.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)TimedoesnotpermityoutoshareallofGod’sblessings,butthinkbackoveryourlifeandsharetwoorthreeofGod’sgiftsandblessingstoyou.Afterwards,dothesameforsomeofthegiftsandblessingsourchurchhasexperiencedthathavepersonallyaffectedyou.Howdidyoufeelasyourememberedandsharedyourblessingsandheardothersdothesame?AthankfulheartisaninspirationforchangeinourlivesandaninspirationtofollowGodmorefully.InwhatwaysareyouinspiredtotrustinthefaithfulnessofGodtoprovide?WhatactionscanyoutakethisweektoexpressgratitudetoGodandothers?

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PRAYEREXPERIENCE6:CHURCHVISIONANDMISSIONOurFocus:Inthishour,pleasespendtimeinprayerforthevisionofViennaBaptistChurch.Aswebeginanewseasoninthelifeofourcongregation,wecontinuetoprayforGodtogiveusclarityonwhowearecalledtobeandhowwearecalledtoserveothers.PrayforaspiritofcourageandfaithfulnessaswepursueGod’scalling.GATHERING (7MINUTES)

• Openwithprayercenteredonourfocustheme.• Howhasthisprayerexperiencedeepenedyourfaithandyoursenseofcall?• Whatwasyourexperiencereflectingongenerositylastweek?Didyoudoanythingtoactonyour

gratitudeandthanksgiving?REFLECTINGONTHEMESSAGEOFSCRIPTURE(10MINUTES)

2ThentheLordansweredmeandsaid:Writethevision;makeitplainontablets,sothatarunnermayreadit.3Forthereisstillavisionfortheappointedtime;itspeaksoftheend,anddoesnotlie.Ifitseemstotarry,waitforit;itwillsurelycome,itwillnotdelay.(Habakkuk2:2-3)

DiscussionQuestions

1. WhenwasthelasttimeyoufeltGodcallingyoutotrysomethingnewinyourlifeoffaithorinyourservicetoothers?Whatwasitlike?Howdidyoufeel?Howwereyouchanged?

2. SpiritualgrowthandrenewalisaboutrecognizingthatGodisnotfinishedwithusyet,thatthereismorenewlifetodiscoverahead.Godhassomethingimportantforustodo—eventhoughwemightnotbeclearaboutwhatitisatthemoment—andGodisalreadyatworkinandthroughyouandourcongregationtoaccomplishthispurpose.Whydoyouthinkit’simportantforustocultivateaspiritualreadinessforourjourneywithGod?Withoutit,whathappenstothejourney?Whatroledohopeandanticipationplay?

DEVOTIONALREFLECTIONS (10MINUTES)Theprophetengagesinfuturingfantasy.Theprophetdoesnotaskifthevisioncanbeimplemented,forquestionsofimplementationareofnoconsequenceuntilthevisioncanbeimagined.Theimaginationmustcomebeforetheimplementation.Ourcultureiscompetenttoimplementalmostanythingandtoimaginealmostnothing.Thesameroyalconsciousnessthatmakeitpossibletoimplementanythingandeverythingistheonethatshrinksimaginationbecauseimaginationisadanger.Thuseverytotalitarianregimeisfrightenedoftheartist.Itisthevocationoftheprophettokeepalivetheministryofimagination,tokeeponconjuringandproposingfuturesalternativetothesingleonethekingwantstourgeastheonlythinkableone.

(ExcerptfromThePropheticImaginationbyWalterBrueggemann)

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ABlessingforANewBeginningInout-of-the-wayplacesoftheheart,Whereyourthoughtsneverthinktowander,Thisbeginninghasbeenquietlyforming,Waitinguntilyouwerereadytoemerge.Foralongtimeithaswatchedyourdesire,Feelingtheemptinessgrowinginsideyou,Noticinghowyouwilledyourselfon,Stillunabletoleavewhatyouhadoutgrown.ItwatchedyouplaywiththeseductionofsafetyAndthegraypromisesthatsamenesswhispered,Heardthewavesofturmoilriseandrelent,Wonderedwouldyoualwayslivelikethis.

Thenthedelight,whenyourcouragekindled,Andoutyousteppedontonewground,Youreyesyoungagainwithenergyanddream,Apathofplentitudeopeningbeforeyou.ThoughyourdestinationisnotyetclearYoucantrustthepromiseofthisopening;UnfurlyourselfintothegraceofbeginningThatisatonewithyoulife’sdesire.Awakenyourspirittoadventure;Holdnothingback,earntofindeaseinrisk;Soonyouwillbehomeinanewrhythm,Foryoursoulsensestheworldthatawaitsyou.

(fromToBlesstheSpaceBetweenUsbyJohnO’Donohue)PROMPTSFORPRAYERANDREFLECTION(10MINUTES)

1. Whatisclearertoyouaboutyourspiritualjourneyafterthisprayerexperience?

2. Howwouldyouliketocontinueintentionallyprayingandseekingspiritualgrowthandrenewalinyourlifeafterthismeeting?

3. Howcanthisgroupcontinuetoprayforyouandsupportyouonyourspiritualjourney?

PRAYINGOUTLOUDFOREACHOTHERANDFOROURCONGREGATION(5MINUTES)GivethanksthatGodisnotfinishedwithyouorourcongregation,butthatGoddesiresforustojoininthemissionofbringinghealingandhopetotheworld.SharewithGodyourdesiretofollowJesuswithdeepercommitmentandfaithinordertodiscovernewlifeandjoy.WEEKLYPRAYERACTIVITY(5MINUTES)Spendtimeinprayerandreflectioneachdaythisweekprayingforthefutureofourchurch.PraythatGodwouldfilluswithasenseofboldvisionandgreaterloveforGodandothers.Askthatwemightdevelopacultureofdiscipleshipwhereeveryoneisabletodiscoveranddeveloptheirspiritualgiftsandthentoexercisethosegiftsinministrytooneanotherandtotheworld.PraythatGodwoulddoasimilarworkinyou.AskGodtorevealtoyouhowyouarebeingcalledtofollowJesustonewmeaningandpurposeinlife.

praying for spiritual growth and...

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