Posted on July 8, 2018 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
July 8 – 14, 2018
1: One Faith
By Brooke Hodnefield
To have faith, we must trust. In someone or something. I like to believe that I can fully trust in my family, my friends, those closest to me. I also like to believe that I can trust in my only abilities, gifts, skills and talents. Those handed to me by a creative and masterfully artistic God. I can have confidence in my stuff, my creature comforts or those things that give me a sense of security. However, someone or something will inevitably let me down. Trust will be severed or wounded. The safety and security I had might be stripped away. It could even be my own doing…my sin and messiness that gets in the way and wounds the faith someone has in me.
My younger brother and I have always been close. We moved around a bunch growing up and therefore had to lean on one another in unknown places. My brother had been battling a season of wandering…feeling lost and displaced. He seemed to not know who he was what he wanted to do or where he wanted to go. He was in town visiting and went along with us to church. He was physically there, but not truly present. The verse that was spoken of was Matthew 17:20, speaking to ‘having faith as small as a mustard seed’. Despite getting in the way of ourselves, God continues to love us unconditionally. If only we have the smallest of faith to believe that He is who He says He is. When my brother heard this, I saw his posture change, he became present right in front of me. God gave Him that presence and made His heavy heart a bit lighter.
Here is the good news…we can ALWAYS have faith in God. He won’t back away from us. He won’t forget us. He never ever will leave our side. He is there, waiting for us to return to Him. Do you know He dreamed about you long before you were ever created? You are His masterpiece! You are cherished by a God that loves you fiercely. What does it require of you and I? To believe, to have faith, even if it is a small as a mustard seed. We can rest assured that despite how lost or far from faith we are, God is fighting for us to find that mustard seed of faith and cling to it. He will show up.
"He is calling you to faith. Faith to believe that He made you to be so much more than your momentary desires. Faith to believe that He made you to be more than your brokenness, more than your sin. Faith to believe that authenticity means faithfulness to the deepest part of His nature. Faith to believe you were made for glory. Faith to believe that this only happens through Christ."
–Hannah Anderson, Made for More
"Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different." –C.S. Lewis
Observe, Reflect, Apply: What would you like to have the power to move, as in this parable about the mustard seed and our faith? How can you declare even a tiny bit of faith in that situation? Take time to declare your faith, no matter the size, over your situation, and pray to invite God into it with you. We are praying with you!
{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.
To dive deeper into Luke CLICK HERE or on the image below and check out this great video from our friends at the Bible Project.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Look closely at the scenes in these verses. What do you notice about each person or group? If you take the soil analogy and apply it to each story, what kind of soil are they each planting seeds in? Now, look out your window, or find a place to watch people. What sort of soil are they cultivating today? What might you do to plow up the soil you are tending to (your life) so that God’s seeds take deep root?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: As you read these verses, note what you learn about Jesus. At the end, the disciples ask, "Who is this . . .?" Who do you say Jesus is, based on what you have learned. Would you answer that differently if you answered based on what you have experienced of Jesus?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: This is an intriguing example of Jesus’ power over this world and the unseen elements of our world. Place yourself in the story…what would you say if this happened to you? What has God done for you that you have a hard time putting in words? Try to find a fresh way to share your God-experience with someone else this week.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: I don’t know about you, but I get really uncomfortable in crowded places. In such a crowd, how do you think Jesus knew someone touched him? What do you think it means when he says, "…power went out from me…"? Where do you need Jesus to come alongside you in your life? Where do you need to hear him say, "Do not be afraid?" Pray that as your prayer today.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Consider these passages from a business perspective: if Jesus were launching a business start up (he really is) what choices do you see him making here to gather his people, to equip them, and to set them up to lead his kingdome after he is gone? What is he saying to you and me about our role in this start up? How are we doing in fulfilling his vision?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Who do you say I am, he asks the disciples. Who do others say I am? Who do you say Jesus is? Do you speak of him the same way with your church friends as you do in the places where you live, work, study or play? How can you align your words about Jesus in all areas of your life?
{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 to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
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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