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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" Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:14

​Heavenly Father, thank you for our adoption into your family, the church; help us 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

Questions courtesy of Redemptive Family Devotional and Workbook by Howard Webb and the Love Your Neighbour team 2021
 

 Doing mission together as a family

1. Have you ever been in a team that worked together to achieve something special? How did that make you feel?

Dig
 Read Ephesians 4:1-16

1. Verse 1 exhorts us to lead a life worth of our calling.  What is our calling? What Scriptures can you think of that relate to our calling?
2. Verses 2-7 are about nurturing and protecting the church family.  How is this related to us fulfilling our calling?
3. Verse 8 points out that God has given gifts to His people.  What gifts are mentioned and what is their purpose according to verses 11-13?  What is your God-ordained role in the church family?
4. What is described in verses 14-16 is a church family discipling each other.  What aspects of discipleship can you see in these verses?
5. Verse 16 sums up the passage by telling us that this is how the church grows.  Are you experiencing the body growing spiritually and numerically? Can you see the part you are meant to play?

 
Reflect

1. When others say “ I can be a Christian without going to church”, they are really saying that personal salvation is the important thing and being a part of a church family is optional.  How would you respond?
2. How can we be accountable to each other about the part we are playing in the mission of our church family?