Week 3: Honor The King

Reflection

We are ambassadors of God’s Kingdom.

“Speaking up for the voiceless is part of ordinary Christian discipleship.  It’s not all there is to discipleship, but it’s part of being salt and light in the world.  Take advantage of your privilege to speak, and take responsibility to speak—wisely, compassionately, and prayerfully…So why don’t we speak up more faithfully—for the racially oppressed, poor, vulnerable, for the orphan, enslaved, for the unborn?  Here are some of the main reasons: ignorance, apathy, and fear.  Some simply haven’t been taught.  Others have grown dull and complacent.  They have been lulled asleep by the Evil One, living with no sense of urgency.  Others stand in fear of man.  But we must add a fourth reason: despair.  Let me remind you that despair has no place in the life of a Christ-follower, yet we often cave in to this temptation.  Responses like heartbreak, grief, and empathy are different from despair.  Despair is the complete loss or absence of hope.  As sons and daughters of the Most High King, we have hope.  We have a calling.  We have a privilege.  And, there is a great need.”  

Tony Merida, Ordinary

Which reason for not speaking up resonates most strongly with you: ignorance, apathy, fear, or despair?  Why?

What is one way that you could speak up for the voiceless that you have contact with on a regular basis?

Practicing Community: Offer Resources

We are stewards of God’s resources.

Everything we have comes from the hand of God.  In addition to our time, talents, and money, we receive innumerable gifts from the created world and human community that surround us.  God entrusts these blessings to us and expects us to be good stewards of them, to share with those in need rather than hold onto them for ourselves.

What resources do you have that are unique to your life situation?  

How could these be stewarded for the good of God’s Kingdom?

We love and honor the King.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” 

Matthew 25:34-40

What effect do Jesus’s words have on your desire to give and serve?

Next Steps

How might God be inviting you to give, serve, or love someone in need right now?  How do you want to respond?

How can this group support you? End your meeting in prayer for each other.