Simple Reminders
The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom.
This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered.
We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together.
Brief Commentary and Context
(Answer this question here: What did this mean in the original context and how is it set in the larger story of the Bible?)
The Church Overview: "THREE LOVES" described in "THREE WORDS"
Prayerful (Love God): All of life in God’s presence.
Family (Love One Another): All of life with God’s people.
Mission (Love the World): All of life with God’s passion.
We follow Jesus every day in every area of our life, 24-7. We don’t follow Jesus as individuals only, but as a family of families consumed with His love, power and presence. The primary way we express this shared life is in The Church. Following Jesus means that we love what He loves and share in His dreams. It means we dive deep into His Father, His family, His Spirit, His story and His world. Jesus suffered and died for all people, rich or poor, from all cultures and contexts. His passion was to bring home a hurting humanity and make beautiful a damaged creation. He called all people to follow Him, and called His followers to join His mission.
Brief Commentary for Acts 2:42-47 (The Early Church)
Jesus told them to wait for the gift the Father had promised saying, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Then he ascended into heaven as his amazed disciples watched and were left to wait in weakness. Ten days later, just as he had said, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon 120 of Jesus’ followers in the upper room. Life would never be the same again. Peter, who had recently plummeted to the depths of cowardice, suddenly found courage rising from within to proclaim Jesus to the crowds. 3,000 were cut to the heart and welcomed into the new family of Jesus, the church was born! Many incredible signs and wonders were done amongst the new followers of Jesus. They devoted themselves to many things: teaching, prayers of all kinds, communion, and radical generosity. But perhaps, one of the greatest marks of this new community was that nothing seemed to be done in isolation. There was something so contagious about the life of God in them, that the only reasonable response was to gather, enjoying the exchange of the life of God between them. The Scriptures tell us that daily they met together in the temple and from house to house, celebrating with each other all God had done for them, and was doing through them. It would seem that one of the great privileges of the Church is to gather with one another as family. This just might reveal to a watching world the heart of our God: a longing to be with and amongst His children. Their life together as a prayerful family was contagious and their love kept making room for others. God was adding to their number daily as they couldn’t keep the good news of this risen King Jesus to themselves. They were not a perfect church but certainly an example to Jesus’ people down through all generations. In them we see a prayerful family on mission following and being formed by Jesus in all of life!
Summary Scripture: Romans 12:4-5- For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Core Truths/Scriptures for the topic
Ephesians 2:19-22- Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:10-11- His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 16:18- And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13- Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Extra Resources to help you Prepare
A Vision of the Church Scattered teaching by Adam Cox
The Gathered Church teaching by Juli Cox
Anyone new in your home church?
Things to Consider:
Is the new individual, or family organically connecting with anyone in your home church? Suggest a coffee hang to begin a deeper connection, or consider having the individual/family over for an easy dinner to get to know them better.
Is the new individual, or family interested in receiving communication via text, or email? If so, have them email admin@navahchurchkc.com with their name and phone number.
Do they plan to attend All Navah Gatherings? If yes and it is a new family, they can email admin@navahchurchkc.com with their name, their children(s) name, DOB and grade to make for a smooth kids ministry check-in process.