The Whole Story: A Life in God's Kingdom, Kingdom ComeBeispiel

Monthly Description In the four weeks preceding Christmas, Christians have historically celebrated a season commonly called “Advent” (meaning, “arrival”). Like the waiting our children endure before Christmas with gifts under the tree, during this season we intentionally enter a period of waiting and longing leading up to Christmas day. This waiting symbolically reminds us of the same waiting and longing felt by the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament as they waited for the arrival of the Messiah. During this season we recognize what Christ birthed in humanity in his first coming, and what will be brought to its highest expression at his second coming: hope, love, joy, and peace for all who follow him. ______________________________________________________________________________ Living in God’s Family The word “family” can mean many different things to different people. Often, when people speak of family, they mean their blood relatives, specifically those with whom they live (often called the “nuclear family”). While this certainly is one aspect of family, it is not the totality of it! When Christians speak of family, we also refer to God’s family, his ecclesia or “church.” Those who are members of God’s household, brought together in Jesus the Messiah, are more than random individuals who come together a couple of times a week. When we enter God’s kingdom, we become family with one another, forging a unique bond that transcends blood relation, culture, social class, or geographic location. We are all children brought together into God’s great family. ______________________________________________________________________________ Love Weekly Description: As one of the most misunderstood concepts of life, love is far more than just a feeling or an emotion. Love finds its fullest of expression in God himself as he offers a way of life that far exceeds what any worldly desire can produce in a person. Ultimately, true love is expressed when humanity recognizes the image of God within themselves and others. This perfect love was demonstrated to us in the life of Jesus himself. ______________________________________________________________________________ Instructions for Daily Reading Each day as you engage the Scripture, we recommend following this pattern of devotional reading. [Take a brief moment of silence to quiet your heart.] 1.    Read the Scripture aloud. 2.    Seek out where King Jesus is at work in the Scripture. 3.    Pray over the Scripture. 4.    Discern how this Scripture impacts your life. [Demonstrate loyalty to Jesus in one tangible way today.] _____________________________________________________________________________ 1 John 4:7-21 Group Discussion & Reflection:  Our relationship with God can be influenced in so many ways; prayer, worship, etc. In verse 12, John relates our relationship with God to how we love others “12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” How has loving others elevated your relationship with God? How can you demonstrate your love for others today?