“We love Him because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

https://anchor.fm/kari-joy/episodes/Calling-Others-Out-The-Fruit-Of-The-Spirit-e1950fk

I believe that Baranabas got his nickname “the encourager” not just because he encouraged people in God’s truth. I believe he got his nickname because he encouraged believers by calling out specifically what God had placed in the individual. He could see their God potential - maybe even if it was just glimpses at times. He would speak to that and call that out of the person and get them stirred up and encouraged!

Today we are talking about asking others intentional questions! Maybe for some of you this comes easier than others. Maybe you can’t stand small talk and the somewhat mundane conversations that seem to always stay surface level and have no depth. Or maybe you find yourself getting uncomfortable when tough questions or topics are brought up. Perhaps you don’t mind others asking these questions but you find it hard to be the one that initiates these conversations?

These questions are meant to help not only your group go deeper and have more meaningful conversations but your individual relationships. These intentional questions might happen in the group setting or they might happen during one on one conversations during times of fellowship or activity outside of group times. While we want conversation to be organic, we also want it to be intentional and not neglect the opportunity to really connect with others on a deeper level. When first getting to know your group the intentional questions start off more broad, but become more specific and challenging as you build deeper relationships.

Asking intentional questions opens up the opportunity for others to share something they might not freely offer unless they were asked.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Some people might never open up or ask for help unless they have someone showing up in their life consistently who will ask them deeper questions and check on how they are doing. This is particularly true of the spiritual and mental battles others face, while everything on the outside appears to be fine, it’s a different story internally.

These intentional questions can help remind us to look for opportunities to speak life and bring encouragement to others. Instead of just hoping this happens naturally or the opportunity comes up, we pursue leading the way into deeper and more meaningful times spent together as believers. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Again, as you grow deeper in your relationships, you will gain greater access to people and be able to ask these questions in a meaningful context. As long as you are not trying to push relationships to a depth you have not reached yet, leaving others feeling as if you are overstepping. These conversations will become significant and life-giving as you go past surface level conversations and grow deeper with others. These questions begin to reveal and help others realise what their “one step forward” in this season is

Example Questions:

What is happening in your life this week?

Who has had a great impact on your life and why?

Can you tell me about how you became saved?

Do you have a favorite bible verse or story from the Bible?

What are some goals you currently have? Career, Marriage, Personal?

How would you describe your relationship with God?

What is something God is speaking to you about currently? What are you currently learning about God?

Are you happy in your marriage?

Do you feel you are being successful as a parent?

If you could do anything right now without the restraint of money or time, what would you do?

Do you see your job as your ministry and mission?

Do you have any passions or gifts right now that you want to use more?

Do you feel like you are walking in the calling God has for your life?

The foundation of helping others move “one step forward” is laid with prayer.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) Especially when we combine our prayers with the word of God! The living and active word of God that does not  return void but accomplishes what it is set out to do!

Praying for others gets our focus off ourselves and onto the needs around us. Praying for others also builds me up and benefits me.

When I first met Kyle and we started dating and getting to know each other, he made a comment several times that came across to me as odd to me. He said to me one day “I just love people” as if to explain himself. He said it just like someone would say “I just love black licorice” You have to really love black licorice to say that….because I think amongst most people there is an understanding that black licorice is not lovable...at all. So I knew he wasn’t just saying this to impress me because that’s not really a line you use when trying to impress girls.

The first time he said it I thought “Weird….I don’t know that I’ve ever actually thought that before? That I just love people” The second time he mentioned it I thought “Really? You love people? Like these people? The same people I know? Maybe he knows a different and more loveable kind of people than I do? Who just says they love people”

The most significant time I recall him making this comment was when Kyle had gone out of his way to help another person. I commented on what I witnessed and his reply was “ I just love people” I was really challenged in that moment. I so clearly saw the heart of Jesus in Kyle that day. I saw the same love and compassion of Jesus. Kyle could see past someone's bad day, shy attitude, or even total rudeness and respond in kindness and compassion because he knew there was more going on.

I was so challenged by watching his loving and thoughtful approach towards others. Previously, I couldn’t see the pain or turmoil others were in because it was masked in anger, pride, or even apathy at times. Where I would often dismiss someone or complain about them because of an interaction I was now challenged to look deeper. I was challenged to have the same love and compassion toward that person like Jesus.

In Luke 19:41-44 Jesus wept over Jerusalem as he overlooked the city. There is a lot to unpack here, but he wept that they did not realize their savior had come! If anyone had a right to be upset or say “forget you Jerusalem” it’s Jesus! They rejected him! But instead he wept FOR them. The Lord desires that no-one should perish but everyone come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) He desires that we know him fully and grow in our knowledge of Him. Our hearts should be moved with compassion for others just like Jesus.

The most effective way for us to reflect Jesus more and to respond to others with love and compassion is for our hearts to be transformed and renewed by God’s word! As we pray scriptures over other believers our relationships deepen as our compassion and love for others does as well!

My love for others grows as I pray for them.

Here are just a few of the many great verses you can pray over others this week!

Busy being present.

Today we’re going to talk about Being present in people’s life!

Mark 5:22-43 - I’m going to summarize this story

In these verses we see one of the Synagogue leaders, Jairus, came to Jesus, pleading with him to heal his daughter who was dying. So Jesus and the disciples follow Jairus to his house and a large crowd starts to follow. Then a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his garment, and was instantly healed. Jesus stopped and turned around to ask who touched him (he felt the healing power go out of him) After he talked with this woman a servant came and said Jairus’ daughter was dead and to not bother the teacher. But Jesus went to Jairus house and raised her from the dead!

In this story when Jesus is on his way to Jairus’ house he asks “who touched me” The disciples said literally everyone is touching you Jesus...we’re in the middle of a crowd!  I imagine the disciples being a little impatient! Like come on Jesus, let's go perform an incredible miracle for a girl who is on her deathbed! Everyone is touching you, why does it even matter!? We don’t have time for this. LET’S GO!!!!!

Why does Jesus stop and ask who touched Him? After all Jesus was on a very important mission to heal a girl who was about to die. Surely Jesus could have gone on His way - knowing that just between the two of them she was healed. And yet the scripture said “HE TURNED AROUND” signifying Jesus saying “I’m changing direction” He kept looking for the person who had touched him. He listened to her and heard her story. He was present with her. God is relational; he is a present God. He’s not handing out miracles from heaven Oprah style...reach under your seat and grab your healing! You get a healing and you get a healing! He’s immanuel, God with us.

Jesus TURNED AROUND when He felt healing power go out from Him. Sometimes I need to stop and TURN AROUND my priorities. Especially when I’m listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

We want to be effective for the Lord. So this means being Spirit-led and hearing from God.

Each day we start surrendered to the Lord, we yield to Him and his plan.

We don’t want to miss the assignment God has for our day because we are busy doing what we think the assignment is. Rather God wants to do life with us and be invited into each moment. To help us be effective for His kingdom. And like we’re talking about today, to help us not miss opportunities to be present in other people’s life.

When Jesus got news that the girl had died he didn’t say “well shoot I shouldn’t have taken this time to try to find the person who touched me, what a waste of time!” Instead He knew he was exactly where His father wanted him, doing exactly what His father wanted him to do. So it didn’t phase him when in the natural it looked like he “missed it”. Because he didn’t miss it. But he might have missed this divine moment if he kept going.

If we keep saying I’ll do it next week. When things slow down. When I have less on my plate. That time may never come, and we could miss out on an opportunity.

Are we willing to see interruptions as opportunities?

I’m not saying you need to be late to work everyday because you’re always helping a new stranger. If the lord puts those people on your heart, then maybe try waking up earlier to get the day going. But God has put people in your life, in your neighborhood, family, and workplace to love and be present with! Often times it may not even mean changing our schedules, but rather changing our focus. Instead of a to do list with things to accomplish we see our day as people we will meet with, be present with, and can encourage and bring life and refreshment to!

Who can you be present with this week? What does it look like to be present with others?

Hello leaders and hosts! Welcome to this week's Friday 5! The SHEMA PRAYER.

There is a very popular prayer called the SHEMA prayer that originated from ancient Israel. The prayer comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 came to be known as the SHEMA (because that is the first word of the prayer. Listen or SHEMA O Israel!) The SHEMA was said morning and night by devoted Israelites. Every single day. These would be the first words on your mouth and the first thought on your mind. Each night these would be the last words on your mouth and last thoughts on your mind.

Before the Israelites entered the promised land Moses gave this commandment to the people:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “(SHEMA) Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Did you know that the word Hebrew word SHEMA means not only “to listen” but also “to do” or “to obey”

Fast forward to the time of Jesus.

In Mark 12 we see one of the teachers of the law asking Jesus which is the most important commandment of all!

Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

This teacher basically asked….if I get nothing else in life...what is the most important thing I should do? Jesus responds - Love God and Love People.

Jesus responded with the very popular well known SHEMA prayer! Many would have known and been in agreement and likely saying under their breath in unison with Jesus the SHEMA prayer! But then he goes on to speak of the second commandment...showing us how equally important this is also!

Did you know that Jesus gave us a summary of the whole bible! In Matthew 22:40 He said everything could be wrapped up in “loving God and loving others.”  Man, I love Jesus! I over-complicate things all the time. And Jesus says in this passage...I’m going to help you out!

Now where it gets even more fun is when we start talking about the PRACTICAL APPLICATION. That we each have a unique God assignment placed on our life. Using our specific giftings and talents we can take steps toward fulfilling our God assignment for that season.

If an outsider was to look at my life could they sum up everything I do in this? “That I love God and that I love people?”

This has really challenged me this week to take the words of Jesus seriously and reflect the heart of the father to a world that is in desperate need of his love!

Thanks for joining today’s Friday 5! Tune in next week as we dive into another story from the Bible that gives us practical application to helping others move one step forward!

If you want to dive a little deeper into the Hebrew word SHEMA click here to check out this short fun video!

Welcome to the Groups Friday Five where every Friday you can tune in for short 5 minute word of encouragement. Each week we talk about the Father’s heart for community to get us stirred up and excited for our groups. Let’s dive into today's Friday Five!

Groups

Life Together

Moving One Step Forward

In our Groups we are doing life together with the goal of moving one step forward. I mentioned this on Sunday that the goal is that each of us is moving “one step forward” in our relationship with God. Further into understanding His love for us and moving forward into the plans and purposes that he has for our life!

We want to help those around us move one step forward, but before we start focusing on others we should take a look inward! Here on earth, there will always be new and exciting ways to grow in our relationship with God. Just when I begin to think “I’m getting a handle on just how good God is….he blows me out of the water and takes me deeper into a new level of His goodness I didn’t even know was possible! It just keeps on getting better! God wants us to continually grow further and further in our relationship and knowledge of who He is and his love for us!

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”

As we behold God, as we spend time with Him, as we read His word, as we listen to His voice, we become more and more like him. Moving one step forward into being transformed into the same image. We reflect more and more who God is!

Ask yourself this question:

“What is God speaking to me about in this season”

What does my “one step forward” look like?

God’s will and purpose for all of our lives is all the same.

The assignment for our life is unique to us.

The will and purpose for my life is the same as yours. (To know God and to love him and to help others know God and love him!)

The assignment for my life is unique to me. (How I accomplish the will and purpose for my life with my unique giftings and opportunities)

Today I want to encourage you to pray and listen to God’s response to you in two different areas!

What does it look like to go “one step further” in my relationship with God?

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

What does it look like to go “one step further” into my unique assignment?

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

This is exciting and good news! That we can continue to grow in our relationship with God and our knowledge and understanding of just how good and amazing He is AND that he has a unique plan and assignment for our life. He created us to walk in that assignment!

This term we are going to be talking a lot about taking one step forward into what God has for us!

I’m so thankful for each of you and the time you’ve given to those in your group! I know this is going to be an awesome fall of groups with lots of testimonies!

Thanks for tuning into this weeks Friday 5! See ya next week!

This is the last Friday 5 of our Spring 2021 term! Our groups are meeting through the end of April but this is the Last Friday 5 as we prepare for the end of this term!

When Jesus came, here to Earth, he revealed the Father’s heart by confirming attributes already revealed in the past (history we find in the Old Testament) and He revealed to us even further the heart of the Father!

One of the things that Jesus did during his ministry on Earth was revealing EVEN MORE of the fathers heart. Throughout the old testament the people of Israel (and even foreigners who chose to follow God) were getting to know the Father’s heart. Each chapter, every year that passed, through every trial and triumph throughout Istaelite history, God continued to call His people closer to himself! To know him and enjoy living in his presence! To enjoy the very fellowship of God himself! How awesome is that!!

One thing that stands out to me about our incredible Father that Jesus revealed in a deeper way is how God invites EVERYONE in! And I mean everyone!

Jesus is the best! He invited everyone in! The outcasts, the sinners, the righteous, the liars, cheats, the proud, the weirdos, the sick, the young, the old, the foreigner...I could go on!

What am I talking about when I say he invited them in? He welcomed others to have direct access to Him. He listened to their stories, he gave them a seat at the table, and he invited them into the family. Amen!!

Jesus invited the disciples and many others to follow him. Now I’m not saying to go around to people and say “Hey! Come follow me!” That would get weird fast! But when we invite people in to our community we are giving them an invitation into our life!

In Matthew 25:34-40

Jesus says when we get to heaven the King will say “ For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..” The righteous will answer when did we see you a stranger, or naked, sick, or in prison? Then the king will say “ Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did to me”

One version says “Truly I say that whatever you did for the overlooked or the ignored you have done to me.”

The overlooked and ignored.  Those words really stood out to me this week.

This ties in perfectly to Pastor Brant’s current series “God loves Denver”

Jesus was moved with compassion for the people around him! Are we moved by that same compassion for the people around us like Jesus?

Ask yourself, who can I invite in? I want to specifically apply this to the growth groups here.

Is there someone new you haven’t met at church (maybe who doesn’t attend the same service you do?) Is there someone in your workplace that you could invite in to your group? A family member who doesn’t have much community?

A lone ranger can learn a lot through self study. But when faced with a trial, their isolation guarantees that the only thing they’ll know is what they already know. As for wise council, a timely word, a warm hug, or a swift kick in the rear, those are rather hard to self administer. If we don’t have these relationships in place it's usually pretty hard to pull them together before a crisis hits full force!

God created us to live in community!

I’m not saying that everyone you invite in needs to be your best friend! (Jesus has his closest 3 BFFS but was still constantly inviting others in) We invite others into our community and allow the body of Christ to become their family!

This can transform communities! It can even transform your workplace! We want to reflect Jesus and the Father’s heart by having a reputation of a people who are always welcoming, always inviting anyone in! No matter who they are - all are welcome and all have a place!

This next week pray that the Lord would open your eyes to those who have been overlooked and send them an invitation!