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

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 into 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. 
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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 ekklesia 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. 
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Hope
 
Weekly Description: 
 
The hope that is found in Jesus Christ is one that cannot be shaken or taken away. It is not “hope” in the sense of wishful thinking, as we often mean when we refer to hope today. When the early Christians talked about hope, it was a certain expectation that gave them unwavering confidence in the midst of trials. The hope to which Christians have fixed themselves is the certain return of King Jesus and the hope of our own future bodily resurrection. 
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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.] 
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Romans 12:9-21
 
Group Discussion & Reflection: The challenge of hope is that there is often no substantial evidence of reprieve. In Romans 12, Paul is very direct in his advice: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." How can we rejoice in hope when an end to suffering doesn't seem imminent? Have you ever felt like your hope came before evidence?"