“Yet Jerusalem says, “The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands…” – Isaiah 49:14-16.    

Scripture outlines the amazing things God promises to do for us. God promises to be abundant in loving kindness, to keep us from harm, and to never stop loving us.

But if that’s true, what about those times when everything is going wrong, when everything is moving from bad to worse, and when we can’t see anything good coming to us? At times like that, it’s easy to think God has forgotten us. So what’s going on at those times?  Has God forgotten us?  And if He has not forgotten us – then what is He doing?

Most of the book of Isaiah was written to address a crisis. Israel and Judah believed that God was the creator of the universe and had chosen them for an eternal covenant. But Assyria destroyed and exiled Israel, Babylon destroyed and exiled Judah, and Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple.  It might seem like God had abandoned Israel. This is why we read in Isaiah 49:14:” Yet Jerusalem says, “The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.” You can understand why they felt that way. They were supposed to be God’s people. “For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Yet it did look like God had turned His back on them. They are probably thinking something like, “It all sounds good, but look at the realities of my life. All of God’s promises seem abstract and remote because my life is not going that well.”

We probably feel the same way at times. We are struggling with unemployment or health issues or a wayward child, while our neighbors have work, health, and responsible children. We think that God is remembering those people while He has forgotten about us.  But that’s not the case. He is remembering them, but He is also remembering you.  He is here, focused on you with compassion, love, and care.

And today, if you’re wondering where God is, remind yourself of this simple truth: God has not forgotten you. He will not forget. You will never be out of His sight or His mind. Let’s not be like Israel and look at the trouble, but let’s look up at the One who sits on the throne, the one who loves us and wants the best for us.

 Discussion Questions:

1. How do you react in these moments when God seems distant?
2. How can we be reminded that God will never forget us? 

“As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” – John 1:47-49.   

We try to go to church on Sunday or say a few prayers throughout the week. If we’re honest, these moments can often feel like a momentary deviation from “business as usual,” with life quickly returning to “normal” once the prayers or worship service has concluded. Are we missing the fact that God intends for our life of faith to be far more integrated and interwoven than we commonly think?

There are plenty of activities in our lives that, on the surface, seem to have nothing to do with our lives with God. The morning jog, filling a prescription, studying for that exam, and eating dinner just doesn’t feel to us like “spiritual” events. They seem separate from our spiritual life.  When faith lives on the margins of your life, it is easy to ignore, dismiss, and forget that God is there,  not just in the fringes but in every moment of every day. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28 ESV).

It is easy to overlook the extraordinary ways Jesus seeks to engage with us. As Nathanael discovered in John 1:43-51, our most commonplace moments can become the backdrop for divine encounters. Nathanael, skeptical at first about Jesus of Nazareth, soon found himself face-to-face with the reality that Jesus was the Son of God.  This discovery did not come in some divine miracle or amid some grand temple but under a fig tree.

Nathanael’s initial doubt, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46), mirrors his preconceptions and biases. Yet, this story is another reminder that God often works outside our expectations, inviting us to discover Him in the unexpected and everyday places of our lives. “Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth….“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied….Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you ” (John 1:45-48).

The invitation from Philip, “Come and see,” is extended to us daily, urging us to look beyond our presuppositions and be open to encountering Jesus in new and surprising ways.

As you go about your day, remember that each moment holds the potential for a divine encounter. Whether you’re at work, at home, or in transit, Jesus is present and actively seeking a relationship with you. Seek Jesus with an open heart and mind, ready to be amazed by where and how He reveals Himself to you.

 Discussion Questions:

1. Where are the “fig tree” moments in your life? Reflect on the ordinary, everyday places and situations where you might be overlooking the presence of Jesus. How can you become more attuned to His presence in these moments?
2. Consider how your expectations might limit your encounters with Jesus. What steps can you take to open your heart to experiencing Jesus beyond these preconceptions?

“Observe people who are good at their work—skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.” – Proverbs 22:29 (MSG).

If you asked the average Christian about making disciples, they would view that task as being professionalized to the point that it should be passed off to the “experts.” The experts are seen as pastors, elders, etc., and making disciples is what we pay them for.

All the rest of us “don’t know where to begin or what to do, don’t know the Bible well enough, or are afraid someone will answer a question that we can’t answer,” so we leave it to the experts. The truth is we all play a role in discipling others. We have a responsibility to grow in grace, knowledge, and understanding. And the more we know, the more we should want to learn. The bottom line is that our spiritual growth has both inward and outward dimensions. We grow in the faith for our own sake and for the sake of others.

Before Jesus ascended, he explained the mission that awaited His followers after He returned to His heavenly Father. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus says, “Go and make disciples.” Although this may seem to involve two separate actions—going and making disciples—it suggests the idea of “making disciples as you go along.” The assumption is that Jesus’ followers will often be “on the go,” in other words, actively doing something. That actively doing something means being engaged in some form of discipleship.

Every one of us is influenced by someone, and every one of us has a significant influence over someone else. Making disciples does not mean just bringing others to a one-time “moment of decision.” It involves continued learning together, growing together, and increasingly understanding our knowledge of God and how best to serve Him.

The bottom line is this: Every follower of Jesus Christ should be a disciple. Discipleship is about going to the next level. It’s about really living the Christian life to its fullest, as Jesus meant for us to live it. It’s being a disciple and, in turn, going out and making disciples of others.

“When the church becomes an end in itself, it ends. When Sunday school, as great as it is, becomes an end in itself, it ends. When small groups ministry becomes an end in itself, it ends. When the worship service becomes an end in itself, it ends. What we need is for discipleship to become the goal, and then the process never ends. The process is fluid. It is moving. It is active. It is a living thing. It must continue to go on. Every disciple must make disciples.”― Robby Gallaty, Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples,

Discussion Questions:

1. What does discipleship mean to you? How do you define discipleship? 
2. How can you disciple others? What are some ways you can disciple others, whether formally or informally?

“Aloneness can lead to loneliness. God’s preventative for loneliness is intimacy – meaningful, open, sharing relationships with one another. In Christ we have the capacity for the fulfilling sense of belonging which comes from intimate fellowship with God and with other believers.” – Neil T. Anderson.

At some level or another, we all want to “belong” to something bigger than ourselves. We crave relationships and feeling connected to other people in some significant way—so much so that our desire to find connectedness and belonging impacts just about everything we do, whether we are believers or non-believers.

As a believer, you want to belong, and we want other people to belong as well. As a church, we want to create a culture of belonging rather than fitting in and believing that you are part of a group, family system, team, workplace, etc. Being a part of something brings value to a person. The desire to belong is deeply rooted in all of us.

To create a culture of belonging we need to stop seeing church or ministry as a group of friends hanging out. Instead, we need to see church and ministry as a group of Jesus followers called to minister to the needs of others. When we see ourselves as Jesus followers called to minister, we no longer enter the church space for ourselves but for others. The result is we no longer worry about people being different or seemingly mismatched because we see everyone as a person whose spiritual development has been entrusted to us. Maya Angelou said, “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

This week, take a moment and consider whether you may be contributing to a “fitting in culture.”  Do you expect others to be like you? Do you avoid those who are different from you? Do you unintentionally create a box for people to “fit into,” or else they won’t be accepted? Ask God to help you be the type of person others can be themselves around and accept them despite their opinions, imperfections, or differences. Ask God to see them as people loved by God who we serve as best we can. This does not mean we will have a deep connection with everyone and anyone. It just means you will help create a place where people can have a sense of belonging.

God sent His Son to redeem us and give us His love and a place to belong. He gave us His church and told us, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” And that is what the early church did. They shocked the ancient world with a love they never knew before. It was a love from God and a love from the community of believers. It was a sacrificial love, a caring love, a belonging love. Jesus has called us to do the same.

Today, people all around us want to be loved and belong. Why not introduce them to the love of God and His family?

Discussion Questions:

1. If God created us with the need to belong, should the church be the safest place on earth to do that? What can we do as individuals to create a sense of belonging?
2. Who can we invite to a church that clearly needs to belong?

“Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.”  – Psalm 69:20 (ESV).

There was once an advertisement in a newspaper that read: “I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for five dollars.” It sounds fishy, but in a few hours, that ad generated 10 to 20 calls. The pain of loneliness for some is so sharp that they are willing to try anything for half an hour of companionship.

The scourge of loneliness hits all of us at some point in our lives. It can last from a moment to a lifetime. There is the loneliness of college: away in a new place without any friends. There is also the loneliness of moving to a new city and not really knowing anyone. There is the loneliness of losing a job.

Loneliness is not a new concept. Psalm 25:26 (ESV)  says, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” And Paul, writing from jail, in 2 Timothy 4:16 (ESV) says , “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.” And lest we ever forget, everyone had deserted Him when Jesus was on the cross. He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus knew what it was to be entirely without another by His side.

But what about us today? It is hard to be lonely when you have a relationship with God. When it seems like there is no one to reach out to, there is always the Lord. Psalm 27:10 (ESV) says, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” God will never leave you nor forsake you. While people come and go, He is always there. Rick Warren said, “Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closer to God than the place where you are right now.”

But we must also invest in deep, meaningful relationships with other believers. As followers of Jesus Christ, we need real fellowship with other believers. We need the kind of fellowship that cannot take place in a worship service on Sunday morning, but rather the kind that happens by living life alongside one another and sharing joys and burdens, sorrows and disappointments, and victories and defeats. We need a place to “plug in,” a place to serve and support others and to be served and supported by others. We need an inner circle, just like Jesus had. These trusted friends will allow us to be transparent with our sin struggles and will love us enough to be there yet still hold us accountable to the truth of God’s Word. This is a biblical community. Even without a theological argument, we know we are better when we do life together and participate in small groups.

Do you have this type of Christian fellowship in your life?  If not, you are missing a vital element in your relationship with God.

Discussion Questions:

1. Sometimes, we are not paying attention, and lonely neighbors are in our blind spots. How do we identify someone in our blind spot?
2. How can we make a significant impact on the life of a neighbor who is experiencing loneliness?

“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7 (MSG).    

 No matter what stage of life we are in, we will experience transitions and seasons. College students, for example, will experience significant changes, such as becoming more independent, adjusting to new academics and responsibilities, and preparing for the future. When people start a family, start a new job, or retire, they transition from one thing to another.

When faced with uncertainty, it is natural to feel fear or anxiety about taking big steps in life. Despite all of the changes and transitions we will face in life, one thing will remain the same — God’s love for us. Scripture explains that we are not alone in our feelings and that God is here to help us. He has a great plan for each of us as we walk through the path of life. He helps to guide our steps and feet to where we need to go. We should not lean on our own understanding. Instead, we should lean on God’s understanding and plan for us. We can trust in God through these changes we may experience and stand firm in our faith. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Every season of life brings its challenges, blessings and opportunities. We can embrace these new transitions, trusting in God’s timing and purpose. We must be grateful for each season and change, as they allow us to trust in God. God is constantly at work in our lives. We can face change with hope and confidence by trusting that He is with us every season. Psalm 62:6 says,” He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”

God is the rock and foundation of our lives, so we can navigate through the transitions in our lives because no matter what season we may be in or the season we’ll face in the future, God is here with us.

Transitions and times of uncertainty can remind us of our foundation, and that’s a good place to find ourselves. Sometimes, routine, the false sense of control, and familiarity can be where our security lies.

 Discussion Questions:

1. Describe how you feel about seasons of change. Are you ok with the change? What is the hardest part of change, in your opinion? What is the best part of change?
2. In what ways do you struggle spiritually during times of transition? Looking back on them, how have times of transition strengthened your faith?

“But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.” – Luke 14 18-20   

Most of us are pretty good at making excuses. Usually, our excuses are to explain our actions, whether good or bad, or to persuade someone to our way of thinking. For example, you  know you were speeding but are trying to figure out some reason for letting you off the hook: “Oh, I thought the sign I 95 meant the speed limit…glad you didn’t catch me over on SR 210 earlier.” Or “my car must have some sort of recall, that is the only practical reason for my drastic acceleration and speeding.”

Jesus tells a parable about some people who gave some not-so-good excuses to get them off the hook from an invite to a feast. It is the parable of the Great Feast and it is found in Luke 14. Jesus went to the house of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath day. He was at a dinner party when He told this parable. He uses a story similar to the event He is at. Jesus said,“a certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.” At the time of the banquet, He sent His servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.”

But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go. “Another said, “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.” Still another said, “I just got married, so I can’t come.” The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” But after that, there was still room.

An excuse is a seemingly polite way of rejecting someone. These guests didn’t want to come to the banquet. They were thinking of the things they wanted to do or get done and not thinking about the host who had gone to all the trouble of preparing the banquet for those he had invited.

We always like to think our situation is different. It’s not. It doesn’t matter how legitimate the excuse is; they help nothing and hold us back from everything. We like to think of our excuses as “valid reasons,” but the fact is they are still just excuses.

What areas of our lives are we using excuses in? God wants us to lead a small group, volunteer with a specific ministry, or share our testimony with our neighbors, but then fear creeps in. We get nervous, afraid, and start to make excuses. God wants us to trust in Him, have faith, and leave our excuses behind.

 Discussion Questions:

1. What excuses do we make for not doing something we know we should be doing?
2. How hard would it be to go a week without making any excuses? What is it  – hard or not hard?

“ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32.

Most people are complimentary of Jesus even if they are not believers. They may not believe Jesus was the Messiah or the Son of God, but they believe He was an important person in history, a great teacher, and a prophet. But that is nothing new. Even when Jesus walked on the earth doing miraculous things, there were people who were critical and, in some cases, openly hostile to Him. Chief among these people are the scribes and pharisees.

In Mark 2, Jesus has forgiven the sins and healed a paralyzed man. The Pharisees react to this in anger, suggesting Jesus was blaspheming. “But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves,“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins” (Mark 2:6-7). Verse 8 tells us Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He says, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

Jesus’ response is terrific. Is it more difficult to heal a paralyzed man or say, “Your sins have been forgiven you?” Then Jesus performed the more difficult task from a critic’s perspective – He healed the man. The message to the religious leaders was that Jesus had divine authority. He had authority that they did not have. They could not forgive sin, but Jesus could. The same is true today. Only God can forgive our sins.

Most people shy away from criticism. We naturally want to avoid tough conversations where our actions, motives, or ministries are put under another person’s microscope. At the same time, many people don’t like to share critique or criticism with others because they don’t want to come across as judgmental or risk hurting someone’s feelings.

How do you respond to criticism? Well, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you respond carefully. There is a difference between destructive and constructive criticism. As much as we dislike criticism, do we improve because of constructive criticism? Constructive criticism is an incredible asset. Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted….” Are we better people because people pointed out some things that made us better parents, students,  and leaders? We may miss growth opportunities if we don’t listen to constructive criticism. If we sit back and think about it, we can probably come up with examples where constructive criticism made a difference in our lives.

If you want to find something to be critical about, you can find it anywhere and everywhere. But if you want to look for good, if you want to see God working, if you want people growing, you can see it, and you become what you focus on.

When God allows my life to collide with a difficult person’s, it is an opportunity to act more like Jesus. In other words, difficult people are not meant to bring out the worst in us; they are meant to bring out the Jesus in us. It is an opportunity to display grace.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the reasons we reject criticism?
2. How do we tell the difference between constructive and destructive criticism?
3. Is there truth in this criticism from which we can learn?

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:44-47.

Many times, we face challenges in life, and we give in instead of persevering. In Mark 2, we have the story of a paraplegic man who desires to be healed, but he has some obstacles to overcome before he can get healed. He enlists the aid of four men who made an almost impossible task possible through perseverance, faith, and a pretty bold, creative approach. The innovative approach was cutting a hole in the roof of someone’s house. The house’s owner was probably not happy that his residence suddenly had a large sunroof.

The Bible says there were four men. You could assume they were friends because their actions would suggest they had a special relationship with this paralytic. Otherwise, why would they serve as stretcher bearers to get this man to Jesus for healing? They couldn’t get close to Jesus because of the crowds, so they dug a hole in the roof. It was an obstacle, but one they overcame by thinking outside the box.

The houses had flat roofs of wood planks covered with branches, thatch, and mud. A ladder accessed them. The stretcher-bearers carried the paralytic up the ladder, dug through the roof, and lowered the paralytic at Jesus’ feet. They were determined to get him to Jesus. The presence of the crowd did not stop them. The potential anger of the homeowner could not stop them. The possibility of rebuke from Jesus did not stop them. Their friend had a need only Jesus could meet. They had to get him to Jesus regardless of the obstacles.

Obstacles are a fact of life that does not change when one becomes a Christian.  An obstacle is anything that stands in our way of accomplishing God’s purposes, both for us, in us, and through us. Obstacles can be personal, originating from within us, or external, originating from the world and people around us. Whenever we face obstacles or any difficult situation or circumstance, it is important we remember that what is huge to us is no problem for God. We must remember that “God can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or think” and that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   

We can survive the obstacles even when life is hard. Of course, we can throw in the towel and never attempt anything—but God expects us to take control of our lives and trust Him. It can be hard to implement, but all negative experiences are opportunities to learn from and make us better spiritually. The four men looked at the situation and realized that to help their friend, they needed to go the extra step and do something they may not have wanted to do. They realized that to rise above and out of their current situations, they would need to develop a “whatever it takes” attitude and let nothing get in their way or deter their pursuit of success of getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. Obstacles can make us bitter or better. Do you naturally gravitate towards getting bitter or better when encountering challenges?
2. What can you do to leverage those struggles to make you better? 

“They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”  – Mark 2:4-5.

A well-known miracle performed by Jesus is the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum. The miracle itself is extraordinary, but what makes it even more interesting is what it took to get that man to Jesus. This was not a token effort. Because they went the extra mile, this man’s life was radically changed.

Obviously, the paralyzed man could not walk or crawl to Jesus. He had to have help. Mark describes that help as “as four men.” Driven by compassion and faith, the four men carried the paralyzed man to the site. However, they did not find a way to go in to meet Jesus. “… “he house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room even outside the door” (Mark 2:2). But the four men persevered. To overcome the difficulty, they decided to lower the paralyzed man in through the roof. They took him up onto the roof, made a hole in the roof, over where Jesus was, and lowered him to Jesus through the hole: “They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus” (Mark 2:4).

The crowded house was an obstacle, but the four men in the story did not let the crowds stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus. They could have made excuses, but instead, they came up with a plan to get their friend on the roof and dig through it to lower him to Jesus. They decided that bringing their friend to Jesus was worth all the effort.

Houses in Israel at this time often had an exterior staircase that led to a flat roof. Unable to get through the door, these five men make their way up the stairs to the roof. The people in the house likely would have heard the noise of heavy feet clanking around; but Christ continued teaching, and the five men likely strained to listen to where Christ’s voice was coming from to discern where to open up the roof. Roofs back then would have been made of rough rafters with branches or tiles plastered together with something like mud that had dried. It might not have been that difficult to break them apart; however, it would have been unusual and messy to do so while Christ was in the house teaching: imagine pieces of baked mud falling from the ceiling. yet they carried on.   

The four men’s decision to take the paralyzed man to Jesus was motivated by compassion and faith. They had compassion on the paralyzed man, recognized his need, and committed to doing what they could to alleviate the need. They also had faith, believing that their paralyzed neighbor would be healed if they took him to Jesus.

The four men didn’t quit, and neither should we. They didn’t throw up their hands and say, “We gave it the old college try,” and neither should we. They didn’t accept that the door was closed, and neither should we in our efforts to care about people and bring them to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it easy or difficult to see others’ needs? Is there a reason we don’t?
2. How do you become someone who cares?