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Like A Good Neighbor                   

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The Missional Church – Part 3: Living Missional Principles

Jeremiah 29:4-7; Matthew 5:14

Missional Living Homework:

  • As you examined your budget, what stood out? Did you discover any space for deepening your participation in mission?
  • Was there anything you decided to sell (no need to disclose what it is) and pass along the proceeds?
  • What did you learn about yourself? What lifestyle changes have you settled on or are pondering for your missional future?

Seeking the Best for My City

When we make conscious and committed decisions to seek the best for our neighborhoods and cities, life flourishes not only for us but also for those whose lives we touch.

General Rules of Social Interaction

  1. If you see someone at your favorite place a few times, you have permission to give them the “nod” of recognition (or subtle wave)
  2. If you’ve recognized their presence a couple times, it’s socially okay to say “hello.”
  3. Once you’ve said hello to someone once or twice, it is okay to make comments like “hey, it sure is nice today” or “is that book you’re reading interesting?”
  4. After you’ve broken the ice, you can introduce yourself.
  5. Once you’re on a first-name basis you have social permission to have normal conversations with them, and things develop from there

Questions:

  • Up to the present, how seriously have you considered your street and neighborhood to be your mission field?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Each day this week, take some time to read the local newspaper and watch the evening news. Follow up by praying for the welfare of your city in light of what you know, asking God to bring his kingdom to bear upon those situations as well as the ones you don’t know about.
  • Each day this week, pray for the people who live on your street. Specifically pray for them by name (if you know their names). Pray for their physical and spiritual well-being, as well as any trying situation they are facing that you are aware of.

God’s Mission and Our Resources     

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The Missional Church – Part 2: Principles of Missional Living

Mark 4:18-19; 1 John 2:15-17; Acts 2:44-45; Matthew 6:24-34

Missional Living Homework:

Sabbath & Solitude – how’d it go?

Listening Activity – What did you learn about Centennial Lakes? about you? about the process?

The Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Thorns (things that choke out, strangle)

the worries of this life

the lure of wealth

the desire for other things

 

Three -Isms

Individualism

  1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action ofthe individual.
  2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.
  3. the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests;egoism.

 

Consumerism

  1. a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products,
    misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.
  2. the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.
  3. the fact or practice of an increasing consumption of goods:

Materialism

  1. preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.

Questions:

  • How “thorny” is your life right now?
  • In what ways do you believe consumerism and individualism have worked to shape your identity?
  • In what ways do you feel like you can begin to prune away the thorns in your life?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Set aside some time to look over your monthly budget. Examine whether or not you can find space to eliminate a current want in order to help with others’ needs.
  • Choose a possession that you enjoy and care about. Give it away, or sell it on EBay or Craigslist and give the proceeds away to someone in need.
  • Prayerfully consider your current living situation and ownership. These are most likely your two most expensive possessions. Are there changes you could make to position yourself to live a more active missional lifestyle?