ARC Church Planting Prayer GuideSample

Outreach & Community Engagement

Devotional:

By Maddy Herrin, Way Church, Nashville, TN

As a mom to two kids under two, I am constantly teaching them something, even when I don’t realize it! They are always watching what I do and say and how I act, and they mimic what they see.

My 2-year-old can't go anywhere in public without saying “Hey!” and smiling to every single person he sees! He’s seen his dad greeting people on Sunday mornings as our church's pastor, so he now does it. He’s watched me blow his little sister kisses, so now he blows people kisses. He listens. He watches. He learns. He does.

This is the same pattern we are called to emulate as followers of Jesus.

In Matthew 5, Jesus is speaking on something that is a core part of what it looks like to follow Him: being a light in dark places. A few months after He teaches this lesson, He will illustrate its principle in the most powerful way possible by dying on the cross for the dark world in which he shined his light.

We’ve all heard the lesson. Now, we are called to live it. To follow the example of Jesus and lay our lives down for the good of others. We are to be people who don’t just talk about the good news of Jesus but share it. To be people who don’t just talk about the world's problems but show up and do our best to be solutions. We are called to listen and watch what Jesus did and then do it ourselves. We are called to serve our cities.

The reality is this: We are God’s plan for our communities. God has sent us! We should live as if no one else is coming, but the good news is that no one else has to because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the same spirit that lives in us! God has equipped us for what He has called us to do.

So, as you serve your community, get to know people, and lead, let your light shine while your lips testify to the goodness of God in your own life. Watch as your life mimics the life of Jesus as a bright light in the darkest of places.

Application:

Schedule a small serve project with your church planting team that communicates the love of Jesus to your community.

Meditation:

Focus your attention on what God is saying to you. What do you hear Him telling you? What do you see Him doing? What does God want you to mimic from Him?

Closing Prayer:

We pray for divine opportunities to connect with our community. Help our church form relationships in our city and our state. Grant us the wisdom to build bridges for the Gospel, that through our good deeds, others may glorify You. May our light shine brightly, drawing hearts closer to You. In Jesus name, Amen.