Personal Echo Chamber

Breaking with old testament law and the religious norms of the day, gentiles with no ties to Jewish tradition were invited into the most holy spaces of worship that the Church could provide (Eph 2:14). Both Jewish and non-Jewish were given authority and a voice in the way churches operated. What can we learn from the early Church's radical acceptance and willingness to engage with those around them?

A Place in the Church

The apostle Paul urged the early church to receive both Jewish and non-Jewish believers (Rom 15:7), excluding neither group. Today the Church seems to exclude others based on cultural norms and political ideology. Who do you find yourself excluding from the life of the church?

Pastor Awesome almost loves children

On one occasion, the disciples attempted to stop people from bringing children to Jesus so that He could bless them. Jesus famously denounced those who stood in the way and declared that being like children was the way to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 10). Our Lord Jesus was known for associating with those who were culturally and politically powerless, including children. Who do you associate with?

The way through sorrow

In John 16 Jesus warns His disciples that He will leave them and they will feel the sorrow of his absence. The sorrow is not minimized or explained away. Jesus presents the hard truth that they will feel sad, and mourn their loss. Knowing that sorrow is universal, Jesus offered His disciples hope by letting them know that He will return to them. How have you seen the power hope get you through your trials?

Big Guy did it

 Our need to explain why bad things happen, can lead us to place blame on others. David felt the pain of being the 'scapegoat' when his army's city was destroyed and the people taken hostage (1 Sam 30). Who do you blame when you experience 'bad' things? Do you blame those closest to you, or maybe someone who looks different from you? What would it be like if we accepted that we don't have the answers?

How did THAT come out of my mouth?

 Jesus famously exposed the hypocrisy of dietary restrictions placed by those who took little thought to how their words undermined the love of God and hurt the hearers (Matt 15:11). When considering how our words show a lack of love for God and neighbor, we might wonder how we even came to have such thoughts. Which of your thoughts fail to show love? Where did those thoughts come from?

Jesus knows Zacchaeus

 

When reading the story of Zacchaeus, we can't help but notice his obvious fruits of repentance (Luke 19), but we might also wonder why Jesus would bother to stop and spend time with Zacchaeus in the first place. Are we Christians so busy fighting culture wars that we fail to see people as those God loves and cares for? Who are not willing to commune with, who would you withhold God's love from?

Take my daughter. Please!

 

One way King Saul demonstrated his shortcomings was by trying to use his daughter to 'snare' his political and military rival, David (1 Sam 18). Sadly, we might see ourselves in Saul's willingness to use people, even his own children, to advance his personal power and agenda. Can you think of ways you might be using others, instead of loving them?

Jesus and way the world works

Jesus often taught ideas that are contrary to our typical way of doing business. One example might be found in  Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus undermined His community's method of doing business by pointing out the fallacy and illogical nature of their oaths. Jesus knew that promises are empty if the soul is untrustworthy. What business practices do you think Jesus would stand against today?

Obey and Sacrifice

 1 Samuel 15, is often misquoted and removed from its context to give us the idea that absolute, unquestioning, blind obedience is the greatest act we can perform. While obedience to God is important, we should remember the commendation of the Bereans (Acts 17) for their questioning and searching. Are you curious and willing to seek truth, or do you accept what you hear from newscasters, preachers, and others?

The Church made me (maybe)

When Christians seem proud of their label, or identity as Christians or as members of a particular church or denomination, they are not living out the values of Christ. The Apostle Paul refers the need for humility and for not being proud of one's affiliations in 1 Corinthians 4. Are you proud of your identity or are you grateful for a God who loves everyone and gave His only Son to redeem you?

We ARE the Church

 Peter describes the followers of Jesus as a building that relies on the foundation of Christ (I Pet 2). What does it look like when Christians follow Christ's commands and example to love and give rather than to hoard, seek power, and marginalize others? Do our critics have good reason to call the Church hypocritical when we fail to live like Jesus? Are we acting like the Church or are we playing church?

Two vulnerable women

Ruth 4 brings us comfort by describing the moment a kinsman claims two unwanted and vulnerable women. While the story is a great metaphor for Christ's love and redemption, we might wonder why the world Naomi and Ruth lived in was so uncaring and why the women's well-being was so easily endangered. Maybe we could wonder if our current society is endangering others? How would Christ redeem the vulnerable now?

In the shadow of healing

 The early Church seemed to demonstrate incredible power in healing and helping others. One of the most unique reports included people being healed just by touching Peter's shadow (Acts 5:15). While the modern church might envy and seek to recreate the marvelous power, we should consider that the real draw of Christianity was the love shown to all and ready acceptance of those the religious elite hated.

Awesome words

 When John the Baptist asked for a clear statement of purpose from Jesus (Luke 7:18-27), the only answer given was to observe the works Jesus had done. The best thing for John's faith was to consider what Jesus Christ was doing instead of what was said. Do you spend more time talking about Jesus than living like Him? How can you demonstrate who Jesus is by your actions?

What to ask...

 What kinds of questions would you ask a person who claimed to be God?  When Jesus claimed to be God the religious leaders decided t to ask meaningless questions in the hope of getting a soundbite useful to their cause or to add to their status (Matt 22). Do you ask questions hoping to elevate your status at the expense of someone else? What kinds of questions could you ask?

Love of law or law of love?

Sometimes it seems like Christians are more in love with Bible commands and laws than they are with Christ. Paul sums up law as loving others (Rom 13:8-10), or popularly known as the "Law of Love." Do you find yourself more concerned with who is doing what than you are with demonstrating the love of Christ to them? How can you fulfill the law of love this week?
 

Wait for it (Him)

 After His resurrection, Christ instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Ghost to be given to them (Acts 1). As followers of the risen Christ, sometimes the hardest thing we have to do is to just wait. Can you think of a time when you've tried to do God's work without the Holy Spirit's guidance? When you are moved to action, do your actions seem like the actions Christ would take? 

When your religion requires a temple

 When Christ preached that the temple of God would be desecrated (and destroyed), the religious leaders were so angry the plotted to kill him (Mark 13-14). Their response makes us wonder if they were worshipping God or their ceremonies and artifacts. What would prevent you from worshipping God? 

Judging the sprout

 Jesus warns of those who pretend to be speaking for God, but are really just using God's name to gain wealth or power (Matt 7). In our fast-paced world, we might be a little too quick to judge who is 'good' and who is 'bad.' Jesus speaks of judging the tree, or the person, by what they produce. Farmers know that it takes time for fruit to form, and maybe we would all do well to slow our judgement until the fruit is formed.