DISCOVER MORE : TOGETHER
Our weekly devotional content ties back to the worship themes and scriptures from the previous Sunday. Dig deeper into what the Word and the message mean to you, and explore how you can deepen your walk with Christ through these resources.
In addition to the devotional resources, the "5 Minutes with God" sections are like spiritual snacks; small, quick, easy connections you can make as you go about your busy life.
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction: What makes a church warm and inviting? Jesus finds belonging in God's house, even as a young person. In John’s Letter, God is love, and we experience it in the warmth of community..
Bible
1 John 4:7-12
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Luke 2:41-50
41Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he said to them.
Chapter Highlights
• Structure is necessary for growing young, but it is not enough. Churches that grow young sometimes actually program less in order to free up more space for relational connection.
• Warm is the new cool. More than flashy worship, young people want authenticity and connection. When they talk about their churches, they talk about people and warmth.
• Intergenerational relationships grow everyone young by helping them break out of the silos of age and stage-based ministry and create connections across generations. Two of the most common ways churches invest in intergenerational relationships are through mentoring and corporate worship.
Questions for Reflection
1. Are you someone who has many friends or a few close friends? What makes those relationships warm and meaningful?
2. Where or how do you experience connection and warmth at FLC?
3. Why do you think it took 3 days to find Jesus? Where would they have looked for him first?
4. What tone of voice do you think Jesus used in verse 49: "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” What else do you think Jesus was trying to tell his parents?
5. What does it mean to find comfort or belonging at church?
6. How do you think FLC doe well at being relationally warm? (welcoming, authentic, hospitable).
7. Where could FLC do better at being relationally warm? What are the missed opportunities?
8. What one or two things cold FLCE take to be a warm community?
Discover More about the Message
Reflect on the message you heard in person or on-line. You can listen to the message online here.
https://firstlutherancr.org/resources/sermons
Together with God in Prayer
OPTION 1: ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?
OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours
Prayer
Who or What can you pray for today?
Close in the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Five Minutes with God
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever had a child go missing? If not, imagine the panic and fear that a parent experiences searching and not finding and then searching some more. If you have experienced this, where did you look? The woods and fields? The alleys and dark places? The church? How many of us would think of looking for a lost child in the church?! How many children would know that a church is a safe and welcoming refuge when they have gotten lost, either physically or metaphorically?
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Come to church this week with an eye to what makes FLC a place for those who feel lost—whatever their age. Whether you come for worship or some other event, what makes you feel safe and welcomed? What not so much? Use your child eyes, your young parent eyes, your elder eyes as well as your ears and heart. What might you be called to do to foster welcome and safety, especially for those who feel lost?
Together in Community
Check in with one another.
If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.
Open in Prayer
We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.
5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice
(Optional)
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever had a child go missing? If not, imagine the panic and fear that a parent experiences searching and not finding and then searching some more. If you have experienced this, where did you look? The woods and fields? The alleys and dark places? The church? How many of us would think of looking for a lost child in the church?! How many children would know that a church is a safe and welcoming refuge when they have gotten lost, either physically or metaphorically?
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Come to church this week with an eye to what makes FLC a place for those who feel lost—whatever their age. Whether you come for worship or some other event, what makes you feel safe and welcomed? What not so much? Use your child eyes, your young parent eyes, your elder eyes as well as your ears and heart. What might you be called to do to foster welcome and safety, especially for those who feel lost?
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction: What makes a church warm and inviting? Jesus finds belonging in God's house, even as a young person. In John’s Letter, God is love, and we experience it in the warmth of community..
1 John 4:7-12
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Luke 2:41-50
41Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he said to them.
Chapter Highlights
• Structure is necessary for growing young, but it is not enough. Churches that grow young sometimes actually program less in order to free up more space for relational connection.
• Warm is the new cool. More than flashy worship, young people want authenticity and connection. When they talk about their churches, they talk about people and warmth.
• Intergenerational relationships grow everyone young by helping them break out of the silos of age and stage-based ministry and create connections across generations. Two of the most common ways churches invest in intergenerational relationships are through mentoring and corporate worship.
Questions:
Opening Discovery
1. Are you someone who has many friends or a few close friends? What makes those relationships warm and meaningful?
2. Where or how do you experience connection and warmth at FLC?
More about the scripture
1. Why do you think it took 3 days to find Jesus? Where would they have looked for him first?
2. What tone of voice do you think Jesus used in verse 49: "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” What else do you think Jesus was trying to tell his parents?
More about Life
1. What does it mean to find comfort or belonging at church?
2. How do you think FLC doe well at being relationally warm? (welcoming, authentic, hospitable).
3. Where could FLC do better at being relationally warm? What are the missed opportunities?
4. What one or two things cold FLCE take to be a warm community?
Together in Prayer
1. As you look to the coming week, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.
2. Do you have any prayer concern that you would like to share? What is it?
Closing Prayer
Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.
You may also use this prayer.
O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Together in Community
Discover Scripture and Life
Open in Prayer
We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence.
Introduction: What makes a church warm and inviting? Jesus finds belonging in God's house, even as a young person. In John’s Letter, God is love, and we experience it in the warmth of community..
Bible
1 John 4:7-12
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Luke 2:41-50
41Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he said to them.
Chapter Highlights
• Structure is necessary for growing young, but it is not enough. Churches that grow young sometimes actually program less in order to free up more space for relational connection.
• Warm is the new cool. More than flashy worship, young people want authenticity and connection. When they talk about their churches, they talk about people and warmth.
• Intergenerational relationships grow everyone young by helping them break out of the silos of age and stage-based ministry and create connections across generations. Two of the most common ways churches invest in intergenerational relationships are through mentoring and corporate worship.
Question—Choose 1 (If there are 6 or more in the group, breakout in groups of 2 or 3.)
1. Are you someone who has many friends or a few close friends? What makes those relationships warm and meaningful?
2. Where or how do you experience connection and warmth at FLC?
3. Why do you think it took 3 days to find Jesus? Where would they have looked for him first?
4. What tone of voice do you think Jesus used in verse 49: "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” What else do you think Jesus was trying to tell his parents?
5. What does it mean to find comfort or belonging at church?
6. How do you think FLC doe well at being relationally warm? (welcoming, authentic, hospitable).
7. Where could FLC do better at being relationally warm? What are the missed opportunities?
8. What one or two things cold FLC take to be a warm community?
Together in Prayer
Connect with one another before prayer. Choose one of these options.
Option 1: One word—As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.
Option 2—Share High’s and Low’s
(If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.)
Prayer—We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever had a child go missing? If not, imagine the panic and fear that a parent experiences searching and not finding and then searching some more. If you have experienced this, where did you look? The woods and fields? The alleys and dark places? The church? How many of us would think of looking for a lost child in the church?! How many children would know that a church is a safe and welcoming refuge when they have gotten lost, either physically or metaphorically?
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Come to church this week with an eye to what makes FLC a place for those who feel lost—whatever their age. Whether you come for worship or some other event, what makes you feel safe and welcomed? What not so much? Use your child eyes, your young parent eyes, your elder eyes as well as your ears and heart. What might you be called to do to foster welcome and safety, especially for those who feel lost?
Introduction: The message of Jesus is both who Jesus is as God's Son, and what Jesus does in showing God's love. As followers, we take seriously the message of God's love in Jesus.
Bible
1 John 3:16-24
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action….23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Luke 9:3;24-27
3Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Chapter Highlights
• Taking Jesus’ message seriously means churches pay attention to the life and words of Christ. Young people can then articulate a Gospel that is loess talk about beliefs and more talk about Jesus, less tied to formulas and more focused on redemptive narrative, and less about heaven later and more about life here and now.
• Young people want to know not only what they are saved from but also what they are saved for. They want to take action, not just hear about what they cannot do. Participation and challenge are key to growing young.
• Evangelism isn’t dead among people, but it looks different than in the past century. Vital factors to help young people share faith today include building authentic relationships, listening well, and being honest about questions and doubts.
Questions for Reflection
1. When you were growing up, was the church message more about what NOT to do? Or about what to do? Was the emphasis on the Don’ts or the Do’s?
2. When did your faith become more personal or meaningful? What contributed to that shift?
3. What does it mean to you to “take up your cross and follow Jesus?”
4. How is following the way of Jesus something more than being nice to people, a “golden rule kind of religion?”
5. Do you think following the way of Jesus is something easy or challenging to do?
6. What words and phrases does FLC use to talk about Jesus, the gospel and evangelism? Brainstorm as a group. Create a group list.
7. What opportunities or people have you had that provided space for you to express doubts and struggles about faith? What struggles or doubts to you have now?
8. What one or two shifts might FLC want to take when it comes to helping young people explore and grow in faith? Create a group list.
Together with God in Prayer
OPTION 1: ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?
OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours
Prayer
Who or What can you pray for today?
Close in the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Five Minutes with God
INTRODUCTION: “Little children,” John tells us, “let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” In other words, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to our faith. When Jesus says to take up our crosses daily and follow him, his first followers knew this very graphic and terrifying image. They knew firsthand the horror of crucifixion. When we put this altogether, we realize that the love we are called to as people of faith is truthful, hands on, demanding, and costly.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: What is hard for you to do? What is your cross to take up? Perhaps it’s not always needing to “be right.” It could be listening to that lonely individual tell the same story yet again. It might be standing up for truth in the face of criticism. This week pay attention to those times you feel an inner pushback to a person or situation. Is this a “take up your cross and follow me” moment? How can you take up this cross with love?
Together in Community
Check in with one another.
If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.
5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice
(Optional)
INTRODUCTION: “Little children,” John tells us, “let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” In other words, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to our faith. When Jesus says to take up our crosses daily and follow him, his first followers knew this very graphic and terrifying image. They knew firsthand the horror of crucifixion. When we put this altogether, we realize that the love we are called to as people of faith is truthful, hands on, demanding, and costly.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: What is hard for you to do? What is your cross to take up? Perhaps it’s not always needing to “be right.” It could be listening to that lonely individual tell the same story yet again. It might be standing up for truth in the face of criticism. This week pay attention to those times you feel an inner pushback to a person or situation. Is this a “take up your cross and follow me” moment? How can you take up this cross with love?
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction: The message of Jesus is both who Jesus is as God's Son, and what Jesus does in showing God's love. As followers, we take seriously the message of God's love in Jesus.
Bible
1 John 3:16-24
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action….23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Luke 9:3;24-27
3Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Chapter Highlights
• Taking Jesus’ message seriously means churches pay attention to the life and words of Christ. Young people can then articulate a Gospel that is loess talk about beliefs and more talk about Jesus, less tied to formulas and more focused on redemptive narrative, and less about heaven later and more about life here and now.
• Young people want to know not only what they are saved from but also what they are saved for. They want to take action, not just hear about what they cannot do. Participation and challenge are key to growing young.
• Evangelism isn’t dead among people, but it looks different than in the past century. Vital factors to help young people share faith today include building authentic relationships, listening well, and being honest about questions and doubts.
Opening Discovery
1. When you were growing up, was the church message more about what NOT to do? Or about what to do? Was the emphasis on the Don’ts or the Do’s?
2. When did your faith become more personal or meaningful? What contributed to that shift?
More about the Scripture
1. What does it mean to you to “take up your cross and follow Jesus?”
2. How is following the way of Jesus something more than being nice to people, a “golden rule kind of religion?”
3. Do you think following the way of Jesus is something easy or challenging to do?
More about Life
1. What words and phrases does FLC use to talk about Jesus, the gospel and evangelism? Brainstorm as a group. Create a group list.
2. What opportunities or people have you had that provided space for you to express doubts and struggles about faith? What struggles or doubts to you have now?
3. What one or two shifts might FLC want to take when it comes to helping young people explore and grow in faith? Create a group list.
Together in Prayer
1. As you look to the coming week, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.
2. Do you have any prayer concern that you would like to share? What is it?
Closing Prayer
Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.
You may also use this prayer.
O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Together in Community
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction: The message of Jesus is both who Jesus is as God's Son, and what Jesus does in showing God's love. As followers, we take seriously the message of God's love in Jesus.
Bible
1 John 3:16-24
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action….23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Luke 9:3;24-27
3Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Chapter Highlights
• Taking Jesus’ message seriously means churches pay attention to the life and words of Christ. Young people can then articulate a Gospel that is loess talk about beliefs and more talk about Jesus, less tied to formulas and more focused on redemptive narrative, and less about heaven later and more about life here and now.
• Young people want to know not only what they are saved from but also what they are saved for. They want to take action, not just hear about what they cannot do. Participation and challenge are key to growing young.
• Evangelism isn’t dead among people, but it looks different than in the past century. Vital factors to help young people share faith today include building authentic relationships, listening well, and being honest about questions and doubts.
Questions—Choose 1 (If there are 6 or more in the group, breakout in groups of 2 or 3.)
1. When you were growing up, was the church message more about what NOT to do? Or about what to do? Was the emphasis on the Don’ts or the Do’s?
2. When did your faith become more personal or meaningful? What contributed to that shift?
3. What does it mean to you to “take up your cross and follow Jesus?”
4. How is following the way of Jesus something more than being nice to people, a “golden rule kind of religion?”
5. Do you think following the way of Jesus is something easy or challenging to do?
6. What words and phrases does FLC use to talk about Jesus, the gospel and evangelism? Brainstorm as a group. Create a group list.
7. What opportunities or people have you had that provided space for you to express doubts and struggles about faith? What struggles or doubts to you have now?
8. What one or two shifts might FLC want to take when it comes to helping young people explore and grow in faith? Create a group list.
Option 1: One word—As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.
Option 2—Share High’s and Low’s
(If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.)
Prayer—We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD
INTRODUCTION: “Little children,” John tells us, “let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” In other words, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to our faith. When Jesus says to take up our crosses daily and follow him, his first followers knew this very graphic and terrifying image. They knew firsthand the horror of crucifixion. When we put this altogether, we realize that the love we are called to as people of faith is truthful, hands on, demanding, and costly.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: What is hard for you to do? What is your cross to take up? Perhaps it’s not always needing to “be right.” It could be listening to that lonely individual tell the same story yet again. It might be standing up for truth in the face of criticism. This week pay attention to those times you feel an inner pushback to a person or situation. Is this a “take up your cross and follow me” moment? How can you take up this cross with love?
