Posted on March 25, 2018 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
March 25-31, 2018
Run To Win: Save
By Andrea Ennis
I’ll be honest, I have never really liked to run. As I have taken in each message in the Run to Win series I have struggled a little to relate to the running stories and analogies that have been shared. But then a memory popped up about this very humbling (aka embarrassing) moment when I ran in a race in middle school. Long story short I lost, miserably I might add. But, at the end of the race my mom came through for me with such love and support erasing all feelings of failure.
So fast forward 30+ years to a week ago when I received an invite from a friend to join her to train for a 5K. But this isn’t just any 5K. Not only did this invitation happen at a time when we are in the middle of hearing about Paul’s challenge to us to “run”, but the event is on Mother’s Day . . . a day that celebrate moms . . . my mom, who met my bad news with good news.
OK, so let’s think about this. Me, in a 5k?! I am up against some obstacles here. My experience with running has not been good and I’m really out of shape. What if I fail or humiliate myself? Through that memory with my mom, God showed me that despite the humiliation I was feeling from losing the race (bad news), my mom’s love and compassion towards my 15 year old self is what has stayed with me (good news). I feel this is how God wants me to "invite one and develop one." God is providing me with the support I need. I am about to do something that I’ve never done before. But I was invited to do it with someone, not alone. I am going outside of my comfort zone to, as Dan mentioned today, enter into someone else’s world and to experience what others are experiencing. I am being called to share love and compassion with others; the same love and compassion that my mom showed me; the same love and compassion that Jesus has for all of us. And ultimately God is equipping me to invite others into the race.
I’m ready! I’ll see your Mother’s Day 5K and raise you a Kansas City Marathon. Let’s do this!
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Where have you seen someone bring good news into your bad news? How can you use that experience to bring good news to others? What can you do to enter into someone else’s world this week?
{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 or on image below to dive into Matthew 26-27 with our friend, Seth Davidson.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: I love how overly confident Peter is in his faith with Jesus. So much he even tells Jesus he is wrong. Have you ever felt more confident in your faith than you actually were? Share this with a trusted group or friend.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Jesus is disappointed in his followers that they could not stay awake while he prayed. Jesus is facing torture and death and they can’t stay awake like he asked. This does not change who they are or what Jesus does for them, though. Have you ever struggled to do what Jesus is asking of you? How did you feel?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Peter, who just told Jesus that he would never deny him, is the first to fight. Peter is a confident and quick to act individual. Imagine Peter as one of your friends, does he remind you of anyone you know? Does he remind you of yourself? Contemplate what a friendship with Peter would be like.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: The chief priests were not seeking justice against Jesus but looking for any reason to kill him. They had to check a box to get what they wanted. Have you ever had a plan that made you jump through hoops to get what you wanted? Were you interested in going through the process, or just the end result?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Judas feels guilt for betraying Jesus. Have you ever done something that you felt guilty about later? Share this experience with a trusted group or friend.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Why do you think Jesus stayed silent while charges were being brought against him?
{community discussion questions}
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 a Journey Community 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 on your journey.
Can you name a 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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