Becoming an Intentional FriendSample

MADE for MISSION

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit… You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…” -Jesus (John 15:5, 16 NLT).

If you have already completed the “Becoming a Compassionate Storyteller” reading plan, then you know that God is on a mission. He is writing a better story for the world. A story that tells us that He loves his creation so much that when they rebelled against Him, He set out on a rescue mission to bring them back. The fancy word for this rescue mission is reconciliation. God wants to reconcile the relationships that have been broken by sin. First, His relationship with us, and second, our relationships with one another.

When you abide with Jesus, you receive the glory and goodness of a relationship reconciled to God- forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, and so much more. And Jesus tells His followers in John 15 that when you are filled up with Him, you are then able to bear fruit. One of the fruits we bear is the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, we are drawn into God’s mission as active participants. We have the tools, given by God, to invite others into a relationship with Jesus, yes. But we also have the tools to repair broken relationships.

Ask Yourself:

-How does it change your perspective on the many relationships that you have when you consider that God has appointed you an ambassador of reconciliation?

-Name the fractured relationships in your life. Start by thinking of your closest, most intimate circle (immediate family, close friends), then expand outward (extended family, colleagues, classmates, neighbors, etc).

-Galatians 5 lists the kind of “fruit” that the Spirit produces in us when we abide in Christ. In what ways can you share that fruit with others in your life? Consider how words and actions work together.

Pause to Pray: Use the ACTS prayer method.

Adoration- Praise God that He has reconciled you to Himself

Confession- Confess your part in fractured relationships.

Thanksgiving- Thank Jesus that He has chosen you to be part of His family, part of God’s mission.

Supplication- Ask God for eyes to see others as He sees them, for a heart that feels their hurts, and for courage to take hard steps toward reconciliation.