Neighbor Groups: Empower Communities Sample

Purposeful Partnership As we talked about yesterday, we’re wired to make a difference. We have an innate desire to do good, and that comes from God. Ephesians 2:10 NIV tells us: > For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God has uniquely called and equipped each of us to do specific good works, and when we do, we’re fulfilling our purpose. But sometimes we’re tempted to think we’re called to all good works, causing us to take on way more than we should. Here’s the thing: All of us can do something, but none of us can do everything. And when we miss that, we rob others of the opportunity to live out their calling. So how do we decide where we’re uniquely positioned to make a difference? Start by asking yourself these questions: > • What personal experiences do I have? > • What skills and abilities can I offer? > • What am I passionate about? The intersection of those answers often informs the purpose God has for us. That doesn’t mean we sit on the sidelines until the perfect opportunity to serve comes up. But it does mean that we’re selective about where we spend our energy. The early church modeled this for us in Acts 6. The number of followers of Jesus was growing, which was fantastic. But with greater numbers came more awareness of problems. Some people noticed that widows were being overlooked, so they wanted to intervene. The leaders then had a difficult decision to make. Serving widows is an incredibly important, God-honoring work. But focusing their energy on a new program could impede their larger mission of sharing the gospel. So they met together and decided to empower the people to bring about the solution. Instead of taking on the responsibility for themselves, they appointed capable and qualified leaders who could ensure the widows were treated fairly. Here’s what happened as a result: > … The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 NIV Imagine if the leaders had hoarded the power for themselves. The widows probably wouldn’t have received great care and the gospel might not have spread as rapidly. But because they chose community empowerment—appointing leaders from within the community to make change—they were able to make a difference and live out their calling. Let’s strive to be that kind of Church today. Let’s not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed and overloaded by the needs around us. Instead, let’s prayerfully decide which are the areas where we can make a difference, and empower others to use their gifts as well. Pray: God, thank You for creating me in Your image to do good works. Show me where my past, my gifts, and my passions intersect so that I can fulfill my purpose. Help me empower others to use their gifts so we can multiply our impact. In Jesus’ name, amen. Challenge: Spend some time thinking about where your past experiences, current skills, and strong passions align. How can you use those to serve others?