 Ask 1. Have you really heard or thought about the idea of the Kingdom of God? In what ways? 2. If we are supposed to be representing God’s will here on earth, what kind of job are we doing? 3. If you were an artist, who would you trust with your work of art? Why? ReadJohn 14:12-14 New Living Translation (NLT) 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Matthew 28:16-20 New Living Translation (NLT) The Great Commission 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Ask1. What does Jesus, according to these verses, think of us? 2. What does Jesus think we can do? 3. Why is what Jesus says good news to us? 4. Does the idea that God wants you to partner with him to bless the nations make you more interested in being a part of the Kingdom of God? 5. Do you have to have it all together, be perfect, to be the one that Jesus is talking about? Explain. ReadMatthew 6:9-13 New Living Translation (NLT) 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Ask1. What are your first thoughts or what sticks out to you in this prayer? 2. What does this simple prayer teach you about God? 3. What does this prayer teach you about human beings? 4. Is it OK to pray for yourself? 5. What if the request that things be done on earth as they are in heaven is then explained by the prayer? What then does the kingdom of God look like? PrayO God, we hope we sense the love that God has for us, but also that the Christian faith is not about comfort, but about living so differently as we bring heaven to earth. We are the ones that God trusts with his creation and with all humanity. We get to offer glimpses of God’s kingdom to everyone around us. Help us to do this O God. AMEN.
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 ASK1. What is your favorite thing about yourself? What is your least favorite thing about yourself? 2. Have any of you thought of yourself as “one who is so loved by God”? Does that change how you see yourself? 3. What do you think is one of the most prominent things in your life that your identity is grounded in? (Family, church, sports, grades, etc…) 4. Why/how can this identity create insecurity? READ2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) Faith Brings Joy 5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT) 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ASK1. Do you ever wonder if there is something more to life? Why do you think that is? 2. Which of these scriptures stuck out to you? Why? 3. Do these scriptures make you interested in what it means to find your identity in what God thinks of you? 4. According to these scriptures, who are you? What is your identity? PrayEphesians 3:16-21
New Living Translation (NLT) 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  ASK
READJohn 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. James 1:26-27 New Living Translation (NLT) 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. ASK
PRAYERGod, our hope is that the gospel is revealed to us more fully. Help us believe that the gospel can transform our lives and empower us to live a flourishing life here and now. AMEN.
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First Lutheran Church
1000 3rd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA | 319.365.1494 | info@firstlutherancr.org | A congregation of the ELCA
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