6 September 2020 - 11am Service
Journeys: We Can’t Stay Here
This Sunday we begin our new preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Dave Mitchell, our Senior Pastor.
The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?
Remember, our 7am service is also looking at this topic, and Nigel Savage, will be sharing with us. Check it out!
You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.
DISCUSSION NOTES
Introduction:
The first Christians called themselves people of 'the Way'. Christians was a nickname given to them by outsiders. Sometimes today Christians choose to use the phrase 'followers of Jesus' rather than Christian; the Christian label has a lot of baggage attached to it, especially in the Middle East.
The Bible of course is full of stories of journeys. Abraham was a nomad, the Exodus is a central Old Testament book, Jesus was always on the move throughout his ministry and the book of Acts describes the missionary journeys of the Apostles. More than that however there are discipleship journeys that are not geographic; Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of biblical heroes of faith 'longing for a better country-a heavenly one'.
Our series is designed to help us look at our faith as a Church community and as individual disciples as a dynamic with movement and growth. We must never stop being pioneers even where we settle.
Why we can't stay here?
What's in a name? What name would you choose to identify with as someone with Christian faith? Does a label box you in and define you in a static way, or describe you as someone always with potential for growth? What language would best describe a lifetime of discipleship and growth?
How would you describe the temperament of a 'pioneer' or a 'settler'? Which describes you best? Can you be both?
Tim Dobson sometimes speaks on the subject of 'internal and external frontiers'. It implies a growth journey in our Character and internal life and some activity and lifestyle changes that also demand growth. Can you think of areas where you need to grow, go on a spiritual journey in your inner life? What lifestyle or practical things need development and growth in your life right now? What risks is God inviting you to take and why?
What does our City, society and culture need from the people of God right now? It's obvious with a pandemic that we really can't stay here. But do we want to return to an old 'normal' or is God allowing a disruption to re-ignite a passion for us to see our city transformed? How might Woodlands need to change to fulfil what we are called to do for God in Bristol?