Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 ​

 Glorious God, all time is enfolded in you, and your Son reveals your glory. Warm our hearts to love you, arouse our minds to discern you, and strengthen our wills to serve you.  Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen  

“ That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and under the earth” Philippians 2:11

We thank you, Lord God, for the gift of your Son whom you commanded to be called Jesus;
grant that we may so honour his name on earth, ​that others may be led to him who alone is Lord and Saviour. Amen.

​“In 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.” 1 John 4:10

​Living God, you called your people out of Egypt and gave them the covenant; prepare our hearts to hear your call, so that we may receive with joy the gospel of your Son and be your faithful people, now and forever. Amen. 

“ And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness….Only the Redeemed will walk there…They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.” Isaiah 35:8 10 

Terror and doom, and wrath to come, John your herald preached to bring us to repentance; open our eyes, almighty God, show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen.

“I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.”  Matthew 3:11

Almighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of your Son; 
grant that those who proclaim your word may so guide our feet into the way of peace, that we may stand with confidence before him when he comes in his glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer. Amen.  

To you Lord I lift up my soul; my God I have put my trust in you; you are God my Saviour; for you have I waited all the day long. Psalm 25:1,4

God of hope, when Christ your Son appears may he not find us asleep or idle, but active in his service and ready. Amen

“ And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness….Only the Redeemed will walk there…They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.” Isaiah 35:8 10 

​Terror and doom, and wrath to come, John your herald preached to bring us to repentance; open our eyes, almighty God, show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen.

“All things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16–17

Christ who reigns, you care for the least amongst us, give us courage to enact your gospel in all the world, that all people may see your glory. For you are alive and reign with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

​"Let us come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Hebrews 10:22

Heavenly Father, thank you for our adoption into your family, the church; help us to be what you call us to be so that the world may be struck by the sweetness of our love and unity and come to know that God is here. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Change begins with me

1. Have you ever given up something good in order to gain something better?

Dig
 Read Hebrews 10:11-25

1. Verses 11-18 compares the Old Testament way of being in right relationship with God with the New Testament way. The writer to the Hebrews is addressing an audience uncomfortably torn between the old and the new.  Why do you think this was so?  Why was it important that they give up the old way?
2. 3. As we have journeyed through the Redemptive Family series together some may have been envisioned or convicted by the Holy Spirit that change is necessary (v15). What have you heard the Spirit say to you?
3. The next part of this passage (vv.19-23) emphasizes our spiritual independence.  Even though we are part of a church family we also have to stand on our own two feet spiritually and we each have direct personal access to God. In light of this, what is my responsibility if God has spoken to me over these past weeks?
4. The latter part of this passage (vv. 24-25) emphasizes our spiritual interdependence.  Why is it not enough to see to do God’s will on my own? Why do we need to be spurring on and encouraging one another?
5. The passage concludes with the urgency of our mission, because Jesus is coming back (v.25). How does this fact colour what we have been talking about?

Reflect

1. How can this group be a role-model for behaviour that will help our church embrace its role as a redemptive family?

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