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Your Faith Journey
Worship God – The apostle Paul encouraged Christians in Thessalonica to “live in a way that pleases God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT). To live a life that pleases God, we have to know Him, study His will revealed in the Bible, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions to live in a way that glorifies God instead of simply satisfying our own wants and desires.
Are you living a life that pleases God? If not, what needs to change?
In his letter to believers in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).
Begin the transformation process to live according to God’s will by following Jesus mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As you change your thoughts and attitude, the Holy Spirit will guide you to live in a way that pleases the Lord through new behaviors.
For further study, you’re encouraged to read all of Romans 12 and 1 Thessalonians 4. As you read scripture, humbly ask God to reveal a word, phrase, or verse for you for each day.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday = Romans 12
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday = 1 Thessalonians 4
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – If you are using the I Can Only Imagine Journal, start reading Week 4, Day 22, today, September 29th.
If you do not have an I Can Only Imagine Journal, below is a scripture reading schedule to guide you throughout the week through the theme of “going home”:
Sunday, 9/29 – Genesis 2:4-25
Monday, 9/30 – John 14:1-31
Tuesday, 10/1 – Luke 10:38-42
Wednesday, 10/2 – John 11:1-45
Thursday, 10/3 – Luke 4:18-19
Friday, 10/4 – Revelation 21:1-7
Saturday, 10/5 – Reflection Time:
What did you learn about God this past week?
What did you learn about yourself this past week?
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – If you are using the I Can Only Imagine Journal, start reading Week 3, Day 15, today, September 22nd.
If you do not have an I Can Only Imagine Journal, below is a scripture reading schedule to guide you throughout the week through the theme of “redemption”:
Sunday, 9/22 – Galatians 4:4-5 and Hebrews 9:11-28
Monday, 9/23 – Matthew 8:1-4
Tuesday, 9/24 – Mark 2:13-17
Wednesday, 9/25 – Matthew 12:1-13
Thursday, 9/26 – Matthew 26:17-30
Friday, 9/27 – Psalm 19:14; 103:1-6; 107:2
Saturday, 9/28 – Reflection Time:
What did you learn about God this past week?
What did you learn about yourself this past week?
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – If you are using the I Can Only Imagine Journal, start reading Week 2, Day 8, today, September 15th.
If you do not have an I Can Only Imagine Journal, below is a scripture reading schedule to guide you throughout the week through the theme of “forgiveness”:
Sunday, 9/15 – Mark 2:1-12
Monday, 9/16 – Matthew 6:9-15
Tuesday, 9/17 – Luke 7:36-50
Wednesday, 9/18 – 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Thursday, 9/19 – Matthew 18:21-35
Friday, 9/20 – Matthew 18:1-14
Saturday, 9/21 – Reflection Time:
What did you learn about God this past week?
What did you learn about yourself this past week?
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – If you are using the I Can Only Imagine Journal, begin with the Week 1, Day 1, reading on September 8th.
If you do not have an I Can Only Imagine Journal, below is a scripture reading schedule to guide you throughout the week through the theme of God as a “loving father”:
Sunday, 9/8 – John 1:18 and 16:25-28
Monday, 9/9 – 1 John 4:7-10
Tuesday, 9/10 – Matthew 3:13-17
Wednesday, 9/11 – Luke 15:11-32
Thursday, 9/12 – 1 John 3:1, 16
Friday, 9/13 – Ephesians 1:1-14
Saturday, 9/14 – Reflection Time:
What did you learn about God this past week?
What did you learn about yourself this past week?
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – Last Sunday we focused on Grace Filled Community and the current created by the Holy Spirit that all believers flow in and with. It is a current that enables us to love God and one another. The movement and work of the Spirit of God creates a Christian culture that surrounds us with the joy, peace, forgiveness, and love of God as part of the church. Consider reading 1 chapter per day of Mark 1 through 6 this week as you pray for God to reveal what it means to be a stretcher bearer for others and part of Jesus’ Grace Filled Community that began nearly 2,000 years ago.
Invest in the Disconnected – Have you invited a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor to join us on Sunday mornings for the I Can Only Imagine sermon and small group series? The series begins on September 8th. Rely upon the Holy Spirit to give you the right words, timing, and way to invite the person who needs to recall their past wounds, reorient their present identity, and reimagine their future. During the sermon series we will focus on Imagining a Loving Father, Imagining Forgiveness, Imagining Redemption, and Imagining Going Home. Perhaps the only thing separating your loved one from healing, hope, and the abundant life found in Christ is an invitation from you to help them get to Jesus. Who does God want you to invite?
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Your Faith
Journey Develop as a Disciple – Last Sunday we focused on the stretcher bearers who carried their paralyzed friend to Christ (Mark 2:1-12). During our lives we all need stretcher bearers and should seek ways to be a stretcher bearer for others. The four men were committed, creative, and courageous about getting their friend to Jesus. We should be, too. This week as we focus on a culture of hospitality within the church, you’re encouraged to read Romans Chapter 12 each day as you pray for God to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that He has for you.
Invest in the Disconnected – You have a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs to hear and experience the I Can Only Imagine series with us in September, beginning on the 8th. Pray about who you are going to invite to join us for weekly worship services. Pray that God will prepare them to receive the invitation. Pray for God’s messages to be shared clearly through greeters, songs, scripture readings, sermons, recommended resources, and weekly experiences with us at AUMC. Rely upon the Holy Spirit to give you the right words, timing, and way to invite the person you know who needs to recall their past wounds, reorient their present identity, and reimagine their future. During the sermon series we will focus on Imagining a Loving Father, Imagining Forgiveness, Imagining Redemption, and Imagining Going Home. Perhaps the only thing separating your loved one from healing, hope, and the abundant life found in Christ is an invitation from you to help them get to Jesus. Who does God want you to invite?
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Your Faith Journey
Connect & Grow in a Group – Life is better connected! We want to help you connect with others within the church and take steps on your faith journey. Sign up for an I Can Only Imagine small group through the church website at www.avonumc.com today! Groups will begin meeting to get to know one another and enjoy fellowship the week of August 25th through the 31st. Many of the I Can Only Imagine groups will take Labor Day week off (9/1-9/7), then begin diving into the video-based discussion sessions the week of September 8th. The series concludes the week of September 29th. If you are not part of a group that is walking through the series study, we encourage you to sign up ASAP to Connect & Grow in an I Can Only Imagine small group!
Invest in the Disconnected – You have a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs to hear and experience the I Can Only Imagine series with us in September, beginning on the 8th. Pray about who you are going to invite to join us for weekly worship services. Pray that God will prepare them to receive the invitation. Pray for God’s messages to be shared clearly through greeters, songs, scripture readings, sermons, recommended resources, and weekly experiences with us at AUMC. Rely upon the Holy Spirit to give you the right words, timing, and way to invite the person you know who needs to recall their past wounds, reorient their present identity, and reimagine their future. During the sermon series we will focus on Imagining a Loving Father, Imagining Forgiveness, Imagining Redemption, and Imagining Going Home. Perhaps the only thing separating your loved one from healing, hope, and the abundant life found in Christ is an invitation from you to help them get to Jesus. Who does God want you to invite?
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple: Last week we looked at the words of wisdom from James using The Living Bible. This week we’re looking at those same words, but from the English Standard Version of the Bible as we think about what they mean in regard to how we interact with others. James wrote, “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God…” (James 1:19-21 ESV).
Listening to Others: Are you intentional about listening to those closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors? Are you “quick to hear” what others are saying, or simply waiting to speak again as soon as they stop talking? Beyond the words that are spoken, notice the body language of those you are talking to as part of the feelings and full message they are sharing with you. Consider mirroring what others say as an active listener, but in your own words. For example, “What I hear you saying is…” Perhaps you need to pray about your response before speaking, replying to the text message, social media post, email, voicemail, or comment. Prayer is especially important if you feel yourself getting angry. As James explained, “anger…does not produce the righteousness of God.”
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Your Faith Journey
Develop as a Disciple – Jesus’ brother, James, wrote a letter included in the New Testament of the Bible that is considered wisdom literature for Christians. Among the teachings included in James’ letter are these words, “…don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry; for anger doesn’t make us good…so get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to.” (James 1:19-21 TLB).
Listening to God: Are you listening for the whisper of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? What is He revealing to you? When and where do you hear, see, or receive God’s message to you most clearly? In nature? In a quiet room in your house? On a walk? In the car? As you read scripture? During worship services? If you haven’t felt like God is revealing a message to you lately, perhaps it is because you are not listening. For most Christians, reading and studying scripture is the way we most clearly receive messages from God. Perhaps you also need to make attending a worship service each week a priority.