Family Values: Part 1 - 'Purpose'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Matthew chapter 22 verses 34 - 40

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, thank you that you made us and that we are yours, that we are the sheep of your pasture. Help us, heavenly Father, to be attentive to your will and your word, that being strengthened daily by our Advocate the Holy Spirit, we would demonstrate our love for you and for all people, even as you grow us into the likeness of your precious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. Has there ever been a time when you felt a bit adrift in life, and that you lacked a sense of purpose and direction? When was that and what were the circumstances?
2. Has there ever been a time when you felt a sense of God’s blessing over you because you had done, or were doing, something that felt exactly right for you, almost as if you were born to do it?
3.In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul speaks of knowing “God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT). Do you think God’s will for you is like that? Why, or why not?
4. Take some time to think about, and talk about, and write down what you think God’s will for you actually is. That could be in both in a general sense and also in a specific sense for this or that season or situation.
5. Having thought about that… what are you going to do about it?
6. What do you think about the idea of surrendering to God’s will? How might this be shaped by your answer to question 3, above?
7. Who in your life do you find it really easy to love, and who do you find difficult to love? Think about it for a bit… and then ask yourself how you treat each set of people. Kindly, gently, lovingly, prayerfully? Any change needed?