READ Romans 12:1-2
These two verses are jam packed full of goodness. The word "therefore" in scripture is a way of finding the best words to highlight. We can see this with the Apostle Paul's next words, "I urge you." In other words, "Pay attention, this is the most important part." As distracting as life can be, how likely are you to pay attention to what God is trying to say to you?
"In view of God's mercy...this is your true and proper worship." God's mercy calls us to worship. By definition, mercy is being given a gift you haven't earned or don't deserve. Jesus gave his life to pay for our sins. His own death paid for the death we deserve so that we might have life. This is the greatest mercy of all time.
There are those who follow Jesus who understand this sort of mercy, the kind you find in the depths of despair. When Jesus pulls you out of a pit so deep you can't crawl out yourself, you are grateful. The natural outpouring of gratitude for mercy this enormous is to worship God. With all your heart. With all your soul. The Apostle Paul understood this sort of mercy. IMAGINE someone in ISIS coming to Christ...that's who Paul was. That's the mercy he received.
There are those who began following Jesus at a very young age who may not understand the depth of despair that others experience, but no one gets through life unscathed. Relationship problems, financial problems, or health problems affect all of us in different ways. We all have the opportunity to reach out to God for His peace and mercy.
Both types of stories involve heavy amounts of God's mercy. Over the past few weeks you have spent time talking about your stories. What have you learned in that time about God's mercy in your life? What has been your response to His mercy? THINK of some of the different ways that we worship?
"To offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God." With your finances and your time and your energy. What does it mean to offer your body as a living sacrifice? How do people sacrifice in different ways? e.g. A mom is up half the night with a sick child. A soldier puts his life on the line to protect others. What other examples can you think of? How do each of you make sacrifices? EXAMINE whether your sacrifices come from a place of gratitude or obligation. EXPLAIN the difference. Is God at the center of your sacrifices?
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed." Wow, isn't it easy for us to be conformed to this world? A person can stand in the checkout line at the supermarket reading headlines and begin making judgments about what he's reading. We get sucked into the drama of Hollywood and peer pressure and what the Jone's are doing next door. There's something within us that is drawn to that sort of thing. But God requires us to be different, to be transformed, to walk away from the drama and the pressure. He calls us to place Him in the center of our lives, not the world. SPEND a few moments reflecting on how the world affects you. What do you get drawn into? What do you reject? At what point of transformation are you?
"Renew your mind." Not free your mind or empty your mind, renew it. Just like we're able to renew our bodies with rest and healthy eating, our minds are similar. They need to rest and reflect, they need to be fed with truth and goodness.
"Finally brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things." Philippians 4:8
SHARE with each other how you each renew your minds. How does being God-centered help us become renewed?"Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Over the past several months, we've talked about the wide road and the narrow road. Lots of people will invite us onto the wide road. It may even seem like the right road to take. How do we know the difference when we're standing at the fork? Left or right? Hmmm....
Test it. "You will be able to test and approve." Put God first and ask Him. Go to scripture for answers. Listen to your "gut" feeling, aka the Holy Spirit. (You may want to go one way because it's the easier, less painful route; however, your "gut" is telling you to go in the other direction. Remember, the Holy Spirit will never ask you to go against Scripture). Going to God for wisdom, whether it's a big question or a little one, is worship.
next steps
worshipBy living sacrificially, allowing God to do HIS will through us, we worship with our heart, soul, mind, and body. This kind of worship transforms us to be the kind of people that reflect the nature and character of Christ. It brings a piece of heaven to earth. REFLECT on the areas of life you're holding on to rather than letting God have them for His will.
belong
If you haven't already, DISCUSS with your group any changes to your summer schedule. CONSIDER meeting at a fun event, rotating homes for BBQs, or finding some different ways to enjoy the summer sun. Take this special time during the warmer months to build on your friendships.
grow
The Good and Beautiful God study will help us trade in our false views of God for true ones and give us practical tools for becoming more like Jesus.
MIXED GROUP – Starts Tuesday, June 9! Open to all people, all ages.
Tuesdays @6-7:30pm in Jacob’s Well Prayer Room.
Aaron Parsons 715.225.9059 aparsons@jacobswellec.org
MEN’S GROUP – Currently forming. Planning on meeting on a weekday morning. Please contact leader for more details on date and start time.
Nick Bartholomew 715.271.0831 nickandsteph08@gmail.com
NEW women’s small group begins Tuesday, June 16 @8pm at JW.
Beth Moore: Stepping Up is a study of the Psalms of Ascent through weekly DVD teaching, group discussion, and workbook for personal study. Sign up by June 8!
Emily Sutherland 715.723.1774 emily_sutherland@rocketmail.com
Is baptism your next step? Sign up online for SPLASH 2015 coming on August 9. We'll get you connected with one of the two baptism classes being held on June 20 or August 1/2. The service will be held at Jacob's Well this year @10am. www.jacobswellec.org/#/next-steps/get-baptized.
serve
Would you like to be a part of the weekend service? JW Tech Team is looking for media, sound, and camera operators. No experience is required - we'll provide training. Call Syd Matthes for more info at 715.833.2050 or email him at syd@jacobswellec.org.
share
Join us in prayer for these teams and individuals as they go and share their story intertwined with God’s story.
~ NPH Honduras Orphanage. June 21-29
~ JW Middle School Local Impact. June 22-26
~ Builders for Christ in Kansas. June 21-28
~ JW High School with Kaleo Missions in Minneapolis. June 21-26
~ Kaylan Altmann with Maria’s Big House of Hope in China. June 19-28
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