the gospel challenge

An 8-week adventure of discovery

Week Three: Read The Sign Carefully! 

1.  Watch the message
What did you hear?
What did you learn about God?
What did you learn about people?
Jot down a word, a phrase, or insight you want to remember throughout the week.
WATCH ANY MESSAGE FROM THIS SERIES HERE
2. Read the passages at least one time during the week:
This week Jesus performs the miracle of turning water to wine at a wedding feast.  We are told that this is the “first time Jesus revealed his glory.”  We are also told, “And his disciples believed in him.”  (John 2:11)
What would someone need to do to prove to you that they were in fact the long expected and anticipated Son of God?
Some things to think about the passage:
  • Running out of wine at a wedding is a great embarrassment to the family in this culture. Do you think Mary expected Jesus to do a miracle or do you think she believed he would simply find a way to help this family out?  Either way, she trusted him to do something and instructed the servants to “do whatever he tells you.”  Do you find it easy or difficult to trust Jesus?  How responsive are you to do what he says?  Why or why not?
  • Jesus goes ahead and helps the family, even though he says “my time has not yet come,” by performing this miracle,– huge jars of water used for ceremonial washing become wine to celebrate a marriage.  By doing so “he reveals his glory for the first time and the disciples believe in him.”  Remember a time when God revealed himself to you – it may not have been “miraculous,” but a time when you clearly sensed his presence.  Express your gratitude.

John 2:1-12   NLT

2 The next day[a] there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.[b] 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

Practices to supplement your reading

3.  Explore a Practice
You are encouraged to explore different spiritual practices during this eight-week challenge.  Not all practices benefit everyone, but you are encouraged to use this time to experiment with something new or return to a practice maybe you haven’t done in a while.  You will be provided with a couple different options.  You are encouraged to try one each week.

Kindness

Show kindness to someone (maybe more than one) this week.  Shovel someone’s sidewalk, buy a cup of coffee for someone, let someone go ahead of you in a check out line, etc.  What could you do anonymously to demonstrate kindness?  Is this practice easy or difficult?   What, if any, obstacles do you struggle with when carrying out acts of kindness? (busyness, unaware of needs of others, having to give up something-time/energy/resources, etc.)

Centering Prayer

This practice seeks to quiet our scattered thoughts and focus on the presence of Christ.  Set aside five minutes. (if you are drawn to this practice, slowly increase the time).   Choose a simple word or phrase from Scripture like grace, Jesus, peace, joy, Shepherd, etc. Imagine that you are visiting a friend who lives on a busy street.  Because it is a warm day, the windows are open and all the noise and bustle of life float into the room through the window.  At times you are conscious of sirens or people talking or children laughing, but your attention is devoted to your friend and you do not let your mind follow the sounds outside.  As you meet with Jesus, acknowledge the noisy distractions that pull at your attention, but continually return to the moment with Jesus through your word or phrase.  This is more about being with Jesus than talking to him.
When done regularly, this practice brings stillness into the busyness of life and helps us learn to listen to God. 
  • (The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun)

Breath Prayer

A simple prayer that can be repeated throughout the day. Using scripture, phrases or names of God.
This is a simple way to connect with God throughout the day in the midst of whatever you are doing.  What do you notice as you make this a rhythm in your day?
Examples:
breathe in “Lord”, breathe out “Here I am”;
breathe in “Jesus”, breathe out, “I need you”,
breathe in “Son of David", breathe out “Have mercy on me.”
breathe in “Jesus, I can’t”, breath out “You can.”

Talk to a Friend

Take the initiative to call, Zoom, Facetime or talk with someone about the message and/or your reading of the passage from John this week.  Here are some optional questions/suggestions to get your conversation started:
  • Share a thought or insight from Sunday’s message.
  • What did you notice from the Scripture passage?
  • Talk about prayer together.  What comes easy or naturally for you?  What challenges or struggles, if any, do you have when praying?  What have you found to be most helpful to grow in your prayer life?
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May God meet you in the reading of His Word, as you practice His presence, and demonstrate His kindness to others!
Have a wonderful week!