May 28 – June 3, 2017

{Party Hard: Where’s The Party?}

By Meghan Hemenway

Summer is here. The kids are out of school, pools are open, and the Memorial Day barbecues are underway. Maybe you are someone who never needs an excuse to party, or maybe you are a person who needs a little more coaxing to let loose and enjoy yourself. Maybe you would never, could never, party without permission from your pastor. However you describe yourself, Dan’s message today was clear: It’s time to join the party!

My family has been in a season of grief for awhile. The last two summers have brought the loss of close family members and the in between time has been about recovering from those losses. We haven’t been in much of a party mood. In fact, gathering with family and loved ones has brought pain at times, instead of the joy and communion it used to bring. But hearing Dan’s message today made me take a look at this time in our lives. Is it indeed time for us to step into a new season?

To get through my grief I have put my hope in God’s promises that one day we will be with him and feel no more sadness. We will have no more reasons to weep. Our pain will be replaced with joy. Our hearts will be so filled with peace and love that we will just feel like singing and shouting out in joy all day. In other words, we will be at the best party of all time. And we will have no need to ever stop. Because the object of our heart’s desire will finally be fulfilled. This is why Jesus came. To remind us that where God is there is always a party.

So maybe you are like me and needed to hear that it is OK to step into the next phase of life and join the party. Maybe this summer we will find that God is right there with us as we party with our neighbors, friends and family.

{sunday 5.28.17}

Read Nehemiah 8:10-12

Observe, Reflect, Apply: What sin, loss, or burden do you need to be released from so that you can move into a place of celebration? When you join together with others in a spirit of "partying hard" how will you be reminded that God is with you?

Miss the Sunday teaching? CLICK HERE to watch now!

{personal reflection and bible reading plan}

As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.

CLICK HERE to check out this awsome resource video from The Bible Project on 2 Corinthians. We will return to episodes of The Journey Continues with Seth Davidson next week.

{monday 5.29.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6

Observe, Reflect, Apply: When I read Paul saying that "we have renounced the secret things that make people ashamed" I think of church people making public statements about all the things they don’t agree with in the world. I don’t think that is how Paul was intending this message. What are the things in your own life that you were or are ashamed of that you would like to leave behind forever?

{tuesday 5.30.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul and the early followers of Jesus faced extreme hardships. I’ve never faced a challenge anywhere close to what they’ve faced. What kinds of hardships have you faced because of following Jesus?

{wednesday 5.31.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-15

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Have you ever experienced Jesus’ help to press on through difficult times?

{thursday 6.1.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Take 5 minutes and write whatever comes to mind about the word “creation”. The only guidelines are: 1) Do NOT stop writing for the entire 5 minutes. 2) Do NOT self-edit as you write. If you feel comfortable doing so, share what you wrote with someone else.

{friday 6.2.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-18

Observe, Reflect, Apply: What obstacles can we put in the way of people who are wanting to follow Jesus? What obstacles have you had to overcome that were put there by someone else?

{saturday 6.3.17}

Read 2 Corinthians 7:1-13

Observe, Reflect, Apply: These passages paint a great picture of life following Jesus…mainly, that it isn’t always easy. Sometimes hard things have to be said, received, and processed to move forward. Paul had to share some hard words with the people in Corinth, but he is now seeing a turning toward restoration, growth, and a greater closeness to God. Have you ever received a hard message from someone you trusted? How did you handle their words? How did you move through the process of understanding and applying their input to your life?

{group discussion ideas}

We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as an Heartland group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters for The Journey.

• Can you name an ‘takeaway’ or challenge from the Sunday message?
• How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
• What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
• Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
• Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?

{extra journey resources}

CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.

The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.

Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.

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