Our summer series is entitled JOURNEY with the FAITHFUL. We are looking at the lives of a number of men and women in the Bible. Each of them chose to leave their comfort zone to follow God and do what He wanted them to do. Each person had to GET UP and GO; they had to move from HERE to THERE.

Think about a time you displayed loyalty to someone. Specifically when you followed or moved along with someone on a journey.
Loyalty is defined as a strong feeling of support or allegiance.
Loyalty has been the topic of many books, movies, and TV shows. It is a great quality whether in a dog, an employer/employee, a spouse, or a friend.

Today we are looking at a woman by the name of Joanna. She is a person from which we can learn a number of lessons in loyalty.
Here are some things we know about Joanna:
-Name means 'God is gracious-Gift of God'
-Mentioned only in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 8 & 24)
-Married to Chuza, the manager of Herod Antipas' household estate
-Would have lived in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee
-Was healed of "evil spirits and diseases" by Jesus
-Accompanied Jesus and the disciples on their travels
-Supported the Lord's ministry and served with a committed zeal
-Included in the inner circle of Jesus
-Her life demonstrated how the Gospel does away with class barriers and social prejudices and legitimized the role of women in ministry
-Devoted to Jesus till the end as she was at the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection
-Was a witness to the empty tomb and resurrection

Today we'll look a little deeper at the life of Joanna and learn some lessons from this loyal woman.
Luke 8:1-3
During Wednesday's Live @5 on the Grace Church YouTube channel we will cover one or two more lessons on Joanna's loyalty.

1. The MANNER of her life.
Mark 6:21-24
Like others in the Bible, we see that Joanna had interest in God but her husband did not.
We always have a choice of who we will serve and how.
Matthew 6:24

2. The MASTER of her life.
Joanna was a loyal follower of Jesus, therefore a disciple.
Luke 24:1-10

In Luke 24:3 we read the words, "when they entered". Joanna and a few others went in the tomb. They didn't stay on the outside, they went in!

What phrase below captures your relationship with Jesus? Is Jesus your master?
-Church Attenders: don't go in, it's too messy and scary
-Religious Wannabes: walk away for something or someone more convenient and comfortable
-Spiritual People: go to a coffeehouse and discuss a book or debate ideas
-Followers of the Master: are willing to enter in, want to be as close to Jesus as possible. They are not comfortable or content, they want to move from Here to There.

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. When you think of the word loyalty, what comes to mind? Can you think of a book, movie, or show that captures the essence of that word?

2. Who is one of the most loyal people you know, and what has this person done to demonstrate their loyalty? When have you shown your loyalty and when have you been disloyal?

3. Read Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 24:1-10. Reflect on the life of Joanna as described in the message. How do you see her loyalty in the MANNER of her life and toward the MASTER of her life?

4. If you had to use one of the following terms (used in the Sunday message) to describe your profession of faith, which would be closest to your current reality?
-Church attender -Religious wannabe
-Spiritual person -Follower of the Master

5. Make a point of listening to A DIFFERENT LOOK on the Grace Church YouTube channel, Wednesday @ 5p.m. to catch a little bit more about Joanna.

Birthdays and Anniversaries this week:

Sunday, August 16 - Graceyn Horrmann
Monday, August 17 - Leannah Johnson, Aiden Speer
Tuesday, August 18 - Mary Burpee, Bill & Becky Wilson, Corey & Tiffany Speer
Wednesday, August 19 - Laurel Livingston
Saturday, August 22 - Jim Jones, Tony Hansen, Acil Byers