Resources for Home Church during COVID-19.
Videos & Devotionals
Navigating Crisis Part 3: Reorienting Our Souls in Crisis
March 29, 2020
Virtual Gathering Devotional
Some of us may feel uncomfortable or just inexperienced with expressing lament in a way that is modeled for us in scripture. As whole beings it is important that we are aware of our emotions and be able to direct our beings towards our father.
1. What is your experience lamenting? Do you feel like you had the opportunity to lament?
Have those who have had more opportunities to practice lamenting in a way that is modeled in scripture share scripture, physical posture of prayer, or anything else that has helped them. If anyone is having a hard time lamenting, have someone in your gathering follow up at a later point throughout the week to check in with them or to sit virtually with them. There is no judgement if this has been hard, it is important to us as a community that you are supported.
Throughout the gospel narratives the authors help us to see the reality that it is easy to misunderstand who is Jesus. We see Jesus demonstrating that He is Lord over all things and people not understanding what He is up to.Who then is this that is Lord over all things?
2. How has Jesus met you in the day to day life of quarantine? What is He reminding you about Himself and teaching you about yourself?
We see in the gospels that when people encounter Jesus they walk away changed. In our own lives we too have been changed by encountering Jesus. That can be in dramatic ways but often the change happens over time. Don’t lose heart that God is present and wanting to meet with His people.
This will pass, we will not be in quarantine forever, but the impact of this time will be felt in the culture and world around us. As the people of God we carry the news of peace and reconciliation that people need.
3. Last week we spoke briefly about our daily rhythms in time of quarantine. Have those rhythms changed for anyone? How are the activities you are participating in now shaping who you are becoming?
Often we don’t think about how our actions today are forming who we are becoming. This is not brought up to force people to stop watching fun movies, or reading a good book. It is a good question to ask yourself so that you can be intentional and aware of how you are using your time.
Praise God that we are not the ones who must soften people’s hearts. Jesus has authority over all things and we are co-heirs and co-laborers with Him in reconciling all things to Himself. One practical way we can align our heart with His is through prayer.
4. Spend time praying for sensitivity to the Spirit, and boldness to follow God as he is leading us to share the gospel with those around us. Pray for those opportunities now and for the other side of quarantine.
As you are praying if anyone hears anything from God (scripture, word of wisdom, a vision or picture) please share that with those you are praying with.
Navigating Crisis Part 2: Christ, The Captain of My Soul
March 22, 2020
Virtual Gathering Devotional
It is often easy to choose what is the most convenient option. I would much rather open up social media or read the news headlines than spend time in prayer or scripture. It takes time to build habits and thank goodness we have the Holy Spirit to help us settle our hearts and minds through our daily rhythms.
1. In this time of quarantine what have your daily rhythms looked like? What do you sense God is inviting you into during this quarantine to help calm your heart?
As people have shared, pick someone to have follow up with you and pray with you in regards to the rhythms you want to settle into. Be patient with yourself, it takes time to settle into new rhythms. It is okay to start with simple changes, the Spirit will help you.
Nick mentioned that during this season there is a great opportunity to be creative in how we revel in the mercy of God, proclaim the excellency of our Messiah, demonstrate what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and participate in acts of mercy for the common good.
2. What are some creative ways that we can do all four of these things in our church?
For many of us it can feel like the captain of our soul can change throughout the day! We feel pulled by waves of different emotions as we are held by an anchor of ambivalence. Fortunately we worship a God that knows the human heart, and invites us to trust Him where we are.
3. Take a moment to pause and reflect on the last week. How have you experienced Jesus this past week?
Take time to pray for each other, reminding yourself and each other that Jesus is the anchor of our soul.
Throughout the scriptures we see the sea as the place where the beasts roam and where death and destruction wait to wash over those who enter. Yet we see from the beginning that God is sovereign over the waters. He brings His people through the waters, through death, and out the other side. He is our steadfast anchor in the chaotic waters because He is Lord over them. The time we find ourselves in can feel like chaotic waters of death and destruction, yet we have an anchor in Jesus. As Lord over all things He asks that we trust Him in all things. He will hold you fast through this season and be your daily bread.
Click here to access Brett McCracken’s Wisdom Pyramid.
Navigating Crisis Part 1: You Cannot Cancel the Church
March 15, 2020
Home Gathering Devotional
In a world that is chaotic and groaning for the reconciliation of all things, there will continue to be devastating natural disasters until Jesus returns. As the body of Christ we navigate the chaotic waters knowing what the future holds, yet picking up our cross as we follow Jesus into the present reality of the new age breaking into the old. Take a moment to do the stillness exercise that Nick mentioned.
1. As a safe place and to the extent you are comfortable, how are you? What has been running through your head this week, and how have you encountered Jesus throughout the week?
Take a moment to pray together as a group, reminding yourself and each other who God is and who you are in Christ. Pray for one another as people have shared how they are feeling.
2. Does anyone in your home this morning have any practical needs that you could meet (this may feel uncomfortable, but we are called to care for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ)?
If anyone has shared needs that they have, see if it is possible for anyone in your home to help meet that need (e.g. offering to go out and get groceries, or pick up something).
In moments of crisis people are often feeling displaced or are physically displaced. In these moments God is still present, and moving in powerful ways. As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege to proclaim and display his mercy as we look for opportunities to participate in acts of mercy for the common good.
3. As we continue to pray for wisdom, what are some practical ways we can engage those around us?
Spend some time praying that we would be sensitive to how we can love those around us in this time. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with people. Pray for wisdom to love those around us well and respond in a measured way.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
It was in a time of cosmic crisis that Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, signaling that the whole fabric of what was knowable would shift. That we would be welcomed as his sons and daughters, that our sins would be forgiven, that we would now become the temple of God with the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, living in us. Take communion as a group.