1st Sunday in October (Week 40) Faithful Servants
Worship Theme: Micah 5:1-4 and 6:1-8
The definition of faithfulness is … what? Someone who goes to church? Someone who reads their Bible every day? Someone who tithes? What is faithfulness? These words in Micah are certainly the most famous, and surely the most preached. Why? Because they contain the kernel of truth for what faithfulness really is. It's not about our "within the walls" religiosity; it's what we do the rest of the week. Faithfulness to God is an ethical, moral, just, and merciful life in the here and now.
Team Meditation: Ephesians 4:1- 5:2
If ever there was a passage of scripture that outlines what Paul called "the pattern," then this is surely one of them. Just look at the admonitions on how to treat each other. Pretty much everything is covered from being honest in our dealings with each other, to how to be angry without sinning. This "pattern" for living is the minimum expectation for the Christian life. Sure, this passage contains the famous "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets" and all that jazz, but the focus on the passage is that these offices exist to model the pattern and to instill it into the community.
Small Group: Micah 1, 4-7
The Old Testament prophets hardly ever brought good news to the leaders of the nation. Whether the leaders lived in palaces or sanctuaries, prophets were only rarely welcome visitors. Our pastors today often serve our congregations as the caretakers, the priests, and the prophets, leaving them often feeling like they suffer from multiple-personality disorder. This week, as you read your scriptures, consider the role of the prophet … and the roles of you leadership. And, in light of that, pay attention to the message of Micah to you and the congregation.
2nd Sunday in October (Week 41) Faithful Servants
Worship Theme: Job 19, 42:1-6
If you're looking for the answer to the rhetorical question, "What are friends for?" you'll not want to turn to the book of Job as your guide. Job's friends violated virtually every "friend rule" in the book and Job was big enough to call them on their stuff.
We all need friend in the faith, friends who we'll allow to call us on our own stuff. Accountability is a long lost practice in the Protestant church. We think that by embracing the priesthood of the believer that means we don't need a confessor (never mind what James said). But without friends who are willing to ask us the tough questions, we're more likely to fall by the wayside.
Team Meditation: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
"Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:58 NIV).
Life is difficult. Peck wasn't the first to notice this fact, and few of us in the church would argue. And yet, Paul reminds us that our job is to grin and bear it. Always rejoice. Never stop. Let nothing move you from the path you've committed yourself to. Keep to your mission. Never look back.
Small Group: Job 1-2, 13-14, 19, 38, 40-42
What is a friend and what do friends do? It sounds like a fairly straightforward question, but if we look under the hood, so to speak, we'll quickly realize there's much more it … especially in the Christian community. The book of Job is a primer on friendship and it touches on accountability within friendship as well. As you read through the book this week and as you discuss it in your group, consider how your spiritual life is and could be better served through your friendships.
3rd Sunday in October (Week 42) Faithful Servants
Worship Theme: Nehemiah 8:1-12
There's more to the Bible than at first meets the eye. Oh sure, even a novice reader realizes that the book is filled with passages that are historically bound and can be difficult to understand. On the other hand, as Mark Twain is reported to have said, "I'm not as concerned about the Bible passages I don't understand as I am by the ones I do understand."
When Ezra stepped up to read the Torah (the Law) to the Jews, he had lots of help, for down in the crowd were the Levites scattered throughout the crowd ready to help the people understand what they might not understand, and help them to consider seriously what they did understand. Faithful churches aren't all that differently organized. There are pastors, teachers, leaders, small groups, classes, seminars, and many other opportunities for us to hear and to learn the Word. We don't live in a faith vacuum unless we chose to.
Team Meditation: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and 2:1-16, and 3:1-23
The Bible is an enigma to some. For one, it's an ancient book and the metaphors of yesterday don't all translate into real life today. This is why study is so important, and why group study is even more important. We too often find ourselves leaning on the usual suspects when it comes to helping us interpret the scriptures, and far too often, these we rely on are addressing an audience, not an individual (i.e., you). Therefore, consider finding a study partner. Someone you can trust to ask you tough questions and to help you consider how the scriptures might be applied to you and your life.
Small Group: Ezra, Nehemiah 8, Ecclesiastes 3, and Proverbs 8 - 15
There's an old saying, "You can never go home." But that's exactly what Nehemiah and Ezra tried to do when they led a remnant back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. It wasn't easy. In fact, their attempts were thwarted at every turn. But return they did, but not without heartache.
This week, as you read the passages, consider the plight of the people who have left the church for whatever reason and have not returned. What would it be like when they try to come back? And what about those who have never been "home"?
4th Sunday in October (Week 43) Faithful Servants
Worship Theme: Jeremiah 31:27-34
Team Meditation: Luke 14:15-35
Small Group: Jeremiah 11-13 and 17:5-18 and 18:1-6 and 31:27-34)
5th Sunday in October (Week 44) Faithful Servants
Worship Theme: Isaiah 6:1-8;
Team Meditation: John 6:41-69;
Small Group: Isaiah 1, 6:1-8, 9, and 11