The Miracle of We

Main Thought

There are only two miracles included by all four gospel writers: the Resurrection of Christ and the feeding of the 5,000. What can we learn from the miracle of Jesus feeding the great multitude? Here’s one thing: we can learn about the environment and the events that produce a miracle. So many people want a miracle, whether it be a small one or a big one. But miracles can only take place when there is a need for one. Then, if a miracle is going to happen, we often need to prepare for it. We must prepare ourselves and our situation to properly steward anything God gives us. Next, something unexpected happens: Jesus takes. Jesus took the boy’s lunch. In a similar way, Jesus may want to take something from us. This might include our pride, our sin, our energy, our time, finances, our ideal future, our finances, and so much more. Though it might be hard to let go of these things, we can trust in God’s wisdom, power, and love when we do. It’s only after we hand over “our loaf” to Jesus that He does a miracle. Jesus does miracles while we sit at His feet. We need to rest in Him. Resting in God (or waiting on Him) means that we actively steward the things we’re responsible for to the best of our ability - then, trust God with everything else. We do our best and then trust God with the rest. If we’re willing to take these difficult steps, we help create an environment where miracles can happen in our midst.

Main Passages

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

- John 6:5-9

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

- John 6:10-13

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

- Lamentations 3:22-23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Why does Jesus “take our loaves”? Why does He often require us to lay down things that are near and dear to us? (See also: Luke 19:23; Luke 14:27; Matthew 4:19-20; Hebrews 12:1-2, etc.)

3. What “loaf” do you need to give God before sitting at His feet?

Being “We” in Digital Babylon

Main Thought

The two greatest commandments are to love God and to love other people. If the Church is categorized by love - by relationship - then the Enemy will do everything in his power to oppose meaningful connection. This is why Pastor John Mark Comer said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” How should God’s people behave differently than a culture that has become a “digital Babylon?” We can start by being set apart: fully Human, and fully His. We shouldn’t outsource our humanity by relying on devices to replace our thoughts, feelings, and the excitement that comes from connecting authentically. We can also be useful to God and His Kingdom by serving Him together. This process allows us to bond while building together. An attitude of readiness keeps our eyes outward, looking for opportunities to bring people further into the family of God. These things can help us fight the cultural current and fulfill God’s greatest commandments.

Main Passages

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

- 2 Timothy 2:20-21

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

- 2 Timothy 2:22

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

- 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Pastor Neli Atiga presented three keys to “being ‘we’” in a highly digital culture. Which one of them stood out most to you? As a reminder, they were:

   1. Set apart: fully Human, fully His.

   2. Useful: vessels for the Master of the household.

   3. Ready: for every good work.

3. What’s one thing you can do, outside of your normal circles and routines, to connect with someone authentically for God’s Kingdom this week?

The Stewardship of We

Main Thought

God has given us so much. He’s given us life, time, relationships, talent, finances, and more. What will we do with the things God has given us? That question lies at the heart of stewardship. We become good stewards when we remember that everything comes from, and belongs to, God. If we see God’s sovereignty and ownership in all things, then we’ll see that it’s important to embrace our responsibility. We’ll live knowing that we’ll eventually give an account to God for the way we stewarded His gifts and opportunities. This shouldn’t be a reason for believers to live in fear. It should be a reason for believers to live in faith. We can expect God’s reward for faithful stewardship. He often rewards us on the earth; and, even when He doesn’t, He will recognize us and reward us in eternity.

Main Passages

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

- Psalm 24:1

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

- Matthew 25:14-19

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

- Matthew 25:20-23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Why do you think God entrusts us with our lives, opportunities, talents, finances, and more?

3. What’s one thing you can steward better (more intentionally, more consistently, more sacrificially, etc.) with honoring God in mind?

The Vision of We

Main Thought

We may have seasons during which moving forward can feel like a chore. The list of potential reasons for these seasons may be endless - yet there’s one thing that has the power to help a lot of people. We need vision! Vision gives us clarity, direction, and purpose. Living with vision has been proven to decrease stress, make us more resilient, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. But we need a God-sized vision that’s big enough to remain constant through all of life’s ups and downs. God gives that to us by inviting us to be a part of His mission. God’s mission gives vision to every Christian. Every aspect of our lives can become a part of God’s mission to restore the world and rescue its people. We can search for opportunities to advance God’s mission; then, when we see them, we should seize them. If we’ll commit to that, God’s presence and purpose can become incredible constants in our lives.

Main Passages

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

- Proverbs 29:18

2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”

- Habakkuk 2:1-2

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

- Luke 19:10

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. To what extent does God’s mission fit into your day-to-day life?

3. Search for one or two opportunities to advance God’s mission in the context of your life. How can you seize just one of those opportunities this week?

The Work of We

Main Thought

The Bible uses different analogies to describe who we’re meant to be and what we’re called to do as God’s people. The Bible calls us a Body. In this analogy, people within God’s body are likened to different body parts. We each bring unique value, and we need the unique value and perspective of others. This is a powerful example that emphasizes individual uniqueness. The Bible also refers to us as a Building. In this analogy, we’re compared to stones that make up a strong building. The stones essentially serve the same purpose and function. In a similar way, God calls us to do some things that every Christian is supposed to do. This includes prayer, reading His Word, evangelism, serving others, giving, and more. The emphasis here is placed on unity and uniformity. These powerful images compliment each other. They communicate that there’s a place and a purpose for us among the people of God. We can become aware of what we’re able to bring to God and His people when we consider the unique things we can do, and the uniform things we can do that are common to all of God’s people.

Main Passages

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

- 1 Corinthians 12:14-19

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

- 1 Peter 2:4-6

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

- 1 Peter 2:9

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Have you been blessed by another believer’s actions recently? If so, how?

3. Consider the unique and uniform contributions we can make to God and other people.

1. What can you do that’s unique to you?

2. What can you do that every Christian is supposed to do?

The Faith of We

Main Thought

James made an important statement on faith in his letter to early Jewish Christians. “Faith without works is dead.” Does this mean that we need to add our own good works to the work that Jesus completed on the Cross in order to be saved? No! Rather, James is essentially saying this: “Genuine faith is always accompanied by good works.” Faith should cause good works. So, if we believe in God, we should behave like it. When we do, our faith and good works can grow in strength and impact over time. 

Main Passages

14 Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] 

- James 2:14, Amplified

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

- Ephesians 2:8-10

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 

- James 2:18

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. Do you feel that your actions adequately reflect your faith in God? Why or why not?

3. What’s one challenging thing you can do in order to better behave in alignment with your belief in God?

1. If you are someone who is still investigating or exploring belief in God, who is someone you can talk to in order to find out more?

The Need of We

Main Thought

God decided to give people purpose. That’s true for us as individuals; and, it’s true for us as a collective whole. We - as a group of people - can discover new ways to make a difference. How can we prepare ourselves to make a difference together? It begins with making ourselves available to God, His purposes, and His people. If we commit to this, then we’ll need to continually choose the right attitude along the way. This might include choosing to focus on good things that amaze us, rather than fixating on things that frustrate us. We may want to come before God with a renewed commitment to be “all in.” When we’ve made ourselves available and prepared our attitudes, we’re ready to partner with God. We do what we can in our natural efforts. Then, we trust God to provide the supernatural. Together, we’ll accomplish His mission and fulfill our purpose.

Main Passages

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

- 2 Corinthians 5:20

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[b] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

- Colossians 3:23

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. Do you feel that you’re available for God and His people, ready to serve with a good attitude?

3. What can you do to partner with God, and add your best “natural” efforts to the advancement of His Kingdom?