Bethlehem Lutheran Church

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"Why do you love me, Daddy?"

The four year-old asks "why" a lot.  Sometimes I think it's her knee-jerk response to any statement that my wife and I make.   But other times I think she's incredibly interested in learning about the ever-expanding world around her.  So, we dutifully answer her, even when the answers don't make much sense.  ("Frogs are green because... well, that's just the way God made them, honey.")

Her question about love made me pause.  I don't know if I can explain why I love her or her brother so much, other than saying that I just do.  They're the most important thing in the world to me, I can't bear the thought of anything bad ever happening to them.  Even when they do the wrong things, that doesn't change how I feel about them.

On Sunday, Pastor Chris reminded me that Jesus had this level of love for not only his disciples, but for you and me as well.  This is hard for me to even think about; my love for my kids pretty much has me exhausted by 8 p.m. every night, and I only have two to think about.  Jesus loves *everybody*, even those who routinely do horrible, horrible things.  The fact that Jesus loves me as much as I love my kids is more than a little humbling.

Consider:

• What are some things we can do for Jesus to return some of the love He has for us?
• What are some things we can do for others to pass along Jesus' love?

Grow

Discipleship

As we know, the root word of "disciple" is discipline; it is not good enough to occasionally make the effort to live a Christ-like life.  Christian living is not something to be done just on Sunday mornings, or when we remember to do it.  Jesus asks us to put Him at the center of our whole life, to consider Him and His teachings in all of our thoughts and actions. 

Read:

• Mark 12:28-31

Consider:

• What are the most difficult things you encounter in trying to be a disciple of Christ?

• Crucifixes and WWJD bracelets are two methods that people have used to keep Jesus fresh in their mind.  Do you employ any tactics to help remind you of God's presence?

What's Your Role?

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Chris encourages us to use our spiritual gifts in order to help bring Christ to more and more people; Bethlehem itself has set a goal of reaching 20,000 people by 2020.  God has equipped each of us to do certain jobs in order to reach those around us.  And we are not only to reach out to them, but be cognizant of where they may be at on their own faith journey, and meet them wherever they may be.  God doesn't ask us all to be missionaries, pastors, or church leaders; He only asks us to use the gifts that He has granted us in ways to glorify His name.

Read:

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
• sermon

Consider:

• What are you good at?  What are ways you can use these skills to help spread God's word?

Close

CLAY PRAYER

Lord God, who creates all things for a reason,
shape us like clay to your purpose,
tell us our true names.
Fire us with the Holy Spirit, in darkness
and in light.
Guide us to the people and places
that can work your will in us.
For we are ready, Lord,
to be made your servants and your disciples
in Christ's name.
Amen.

Prayer by Jane Holland, Warwickshire, England