Monday, October 10, 2005

Good Morning!

The new unit for this week is Unit 24, The Way Methodists Live

Focus Scripture for the Week:

Micah 6:8

e has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Today's Scriptures: Luke 12:22-34

Today's Discussion:

-- the lesson this week is as much a challenge as invitation. The words of the last paragraph of the Reflections section look like and sound like an invitation to living a fuller walk with Christ, but really it is a challenge. And it is a challenge with two parts:

-- one, are you willing to live your life in a way that is resistant to the values and priorities of the world; a way that makes your faith recognizable and visible to your co-workers, family and friends?

-- second, do you trust God to care for you as live this life of obedience? that is essentially the point of the scripture from today, a beautiful and graceful passage from Luke about worry and treasure and the heart.

-- There are members of religious groups and sects that are easily distinguishable by sight -- the Amish is an extreme example, but there are also various Jewish groups with their yamulkes and other dress, or the Mormon mississionaries with their white shirts and ties and bikes. But when our author says that Methodists used to be easily distiguishable, I don't think he is talking about dress. The whole Methodist dress code thing didn't quite work out. So that just leaves the way we live our lives to give witness to our faith.

-- One of the main things to note is that the point of living a Methodist life is not for people to notice that you are Methodist, but that you are a Christian. And it is not as far fetched as it might seem, that people should be able to notice if you are Christian. Think about some of your co-workers --- it doesn't take long to find out whether they are Alabama or Auburn fans, whether they are country music or rock music fans, or whether they like traveling or staying home. It isn't a stretch to think that your faith should be as distinguable as these other associations. It is not about wearing your faith on your sleeve, but wearing it on your heart and mind and lips, everyday.

Question for Sunday:

-- It is overlooked, but your approach to worrying is a telltale sign of a Christian. The scripture today is about handling some of the big worries of life -- meeting our basic needs for food, clothing and shelter - and having confidence in the Lord's provision of those things. Are you a worrier?

Today's prayer request: Earthquake victims in Afganistan, India and Pakistan

Major devastation and death in these countries from the earthquake on Saturday. We need to remember these people and the people who are responding to the diaster. .

Today's class member prayer:

Danny Walker

Have a great day.

Jay