This week we are concluding the ONE: Unity in Christ series. During the previous five sessions, we’ve been studying and discussing the following:

1. We are meant to be “Completely One” as the church by being united in heart and mind through the Spirit of God, seeking the Lord’s will together (John 17).

 

2. As we follow Jesus on “The Path of Discipleship,” we are formed into the likeness of Christ individually and collectively through the work of the Holy Spirit and our faith practices, which are also known as holy habits (Philippians 2).

 

3. Our gifts, talents, and abilities are given to us by God “For the Common Good” of those within the church, our community, and world (1 Corinthians 12). We should seek the good of others as an expression of loving our neighbors, knowing that some may be saved because of experiencing God’s goodness through us.

 

4. It is time for us to “Reclaim Our Identity” as new creations in Christ, reconciled with God through Jesus. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ and the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 5:16-21).

 

5. With all that is happening in our world, nation, community, congregation, and families, it can be overwhelming and an ongoing source of anxiety. Thankfully, scripture reveals multiple ways for us to know “How to Cope,” including sharing our concerns, sorrows, and needs with God in real and raw ways through prayer (1 Peter 5:7 & Psalms). Max Lucado’s acrostic based on Philippians 4:4-8 is also helpful:

Celebrate God’s Goodness

Ask for Help

Leave Your Concerns with God

Meditate on Good Things

 

Now we are turning our attention beyond today and this season. This week, we are wrestling with the question “What is Our Legacy?” In episode #6 of the Woodlawn: ONE small group video series, Dr. Tony Evans compares our legacy as Christians with runners in a relay race. We need to be intentional about handing off our faith in Christ to the next generation. Another way to think about our legacy is “discipleship.” During the AUMC Disciple’s Path series in the fall of 2019, we shared the following statement:

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of walking with Christ towards maturity and unity for the sake of others.

 

Consider prayerfully wrestling with the following questions:

How are you walking with Christ in your thoughts, words, and actions?

 

Do you see and experience evidence that you are growing more like Jesus?

 

How are you helping others to grow more mature as disciples?

 

How are you personally seeking to be one in heart and mind with sisters and brothers in faith who are part of our church family? What about the Jesus followers who don’t agree with you?

 

What are you doing now to prepare the next generation within your family and our church so that the baton of leadership and discipleship can be handed to them one day?

 

For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional, download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

Sunday (9/27)

Today I am going to offer God ___________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed _________________________________________________________________________.

 

This week memorize the apostle John’s words about his friend Gaius, who was considered to be like a son, from 3 John 4 (MSG):

 

“Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!”

 

Monday (9/28)

Read a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk in Habakkuk 3 and rely upon the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that you can repeat as an ongoing prayer throughout the day.

 

You are encouraged to watch the Woodlawn: ONE episode #6 as the conclusion of our series. If you are not part of a group or class consider watching the episode with a family member or friend and then discussing it afterwards. If you missed one of the previous video sessions or sermons, use the links below to catch up on what you missed:

 

Woodlawn: ONE episode #6 – “Leaving a Legacy”

 

Woodlawn: ONE episodes:

 

ONE: Unity in Christ sermons:

 

Tuesday (9/29)

Read Psalm 145, notice the emphasis in verses 4 through 7 of one generation sharing what God has done with the next generation, and use David’s psalm to guide you during your time of prayer. Perhaps there is a word, phrase, or verse that the Holy Spirit will lead you to think about and pray throughout the day. Ask the Lord to help you as you wrestle with the questions below:

 

How has God worked in and through your life?

 

Have you shared your faith journey with another person? If not, look for an opportunity to share it with a family member or friend. If you have, is it time to share it with someone new?

 

Wednesday (9/30)

Read Genesis 48:8-21 and pray in response to what you read as you wrestle with the questions below:

Who needs to hear words of blessing from you today, this week, or sometime in the near future? What will you say?

 

Thursday (10/1)

Read Ephesians 5:8-20 and pray for God to reveal a word, phrase or verse that is specifically for you for today.

 

Friday (10/2)

Read John 14:1-14 and pray in response to what you read.

 

Saturday (10/3)

Read some of the apostle Paul’s final written words recorded in his letter to his “son in the faith,” Timothy, in 2 Timothy 4:1-8 and prayerfully wrestle with the questions below:

 

If you were in Paul’s place, waiting in a jail to be executed for your faith in Christ, who would you write a letter to? What would it say?

 

Look at verses 3 and 4 again. How are circumstances today like or unlike what Paul describes?

 

Which of Paul’s instructions to Timothy in the verses apply to you as well?

 

How did Paul view his impending death?

 

How would you describe Paul’s legacy?

 

Consider reading Habakkuk 3:2 and Ephesians 3:20-21 to guide your final prayer of the ONE: Unity in Christ series.

 

*To download the entire Worship Guide, which includes the extended version of the Your Faith Journey Guide, go to www.AvonUMC.com.