July 12th
~
August 20th
How to use this guide:
• Find a group of 3-8 people to go through the guide with weekly
• Plan a weekly time to get together from July 12th-August 20th to meet
with this group.
• There is one devotion per week. Each devotion will take 1 hour to go
through.
• Start off in large group (5 Min)
• Pray for your time
• Read the orientation for the gathering
• Have each individual, on his or her own, go through the biblical
reflection questions (20 min)
• Gather back together as a group and discuss each question (15 Min)
• As a group, read the story from Church History (5 Min)
• As a group, pray through the themes that stood out to you from the
passage (10 Min)
• As a group, plan a time to do the weekly prayer activities in the back.
Do them with at least 1 other person from within your group/family
(5 Min)
Part I-Slow down; ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you read through Acts:
4:1-31 one time. Read slowly, soaking it in.
Part II-Read through the passage again while answering the questions that
are designed to focus in on what the Holy Spirit is saying about the two
great themes of scripture: revelation of God and our response to that
revelation. The basic questions of every passage are ‘Who is God?’ and ‘How
should we respond to Him?’.
Revelation of God: God is the main character of the Bible. Who God is, what
He does, or how He feels is the most important theme of scripture. What
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are and do is the basis of our worship and
our hope.
The Biblical Response: All of creation is designed to respond to the beauty
of the Creator. In the Bible, all of creation- people, nations, animals and
nature- are our teachers to learn from their positive or negative example of
how to respond to God. The Word of God, every word, has meaning and
God’s words are powerful and active.
Fasting:
• Fasting is a way of saying "No" to other things, so that we can focus on
what God is saying to us and pursue His presence. We do this believing the
promise God gave Amos, "Seek Me and you will live" (Amos 5:4).
• Try not to fast from things that would encourage relationship with people.
Instead look for ways to encourage deeper relationship.
• Fast from things that encourage isolation. Be purposeful with your time
and money.
Ways to Fast:
• Spend less money yourself and spend it on others.
• Say yes to something that makes you feel outside of your comfort zone in
order to say yes to relationship.
• Give up all unnecessary online activity that’s not celebrating what God is
doing in your life or the lives of others. Such as online activity like social
networking sites FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, snapchat, etc.
• Total media fast (television, movies, games)
• All food, drinking only water - Water only fast
• All food, drinking juice and water - Juice only fast
• All food except fruits and vegetables (Sometimes called a Daniel fast)
• All meat
• Red meat
• Specific food or foods such as sugar, caffeine, desserts, chocolate, treats,
alcohol, etc.
• Eating out, fast food, etc.
• All reading material other than the Bible
• Shopping for non-essentials
Ways of reporting what God is doing:
Join the “LFAChurch God Stories” page on Facebook and write in your stories.
Using social media? Use the hash-tag #LFAfast to report what God is doing.
Then search the same hash-tag to see everyone’s God Stories.
Week 1 - July 12th-18th
God Transforms a City in Response to Prayer
Acts 4
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the
temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they
were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the
dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day,
for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word
believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in
Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and
Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had
set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you
do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the
people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed
done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be
known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by
him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus[a] is the stone that
was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they
recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was
healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But
when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with
one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable
sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no
further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in
this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at
all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is
right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when
they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish
them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had
happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was
more than forty years old.
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what
the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it,
they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made
the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through
the mouth of our father David, your servant,[d] said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’[e]—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy
servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with
the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your
plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats
and grant to your servants[f] to continue to speak your word with all
boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders
are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when
they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word
of God with boldness.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul,
and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but
they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were
giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace
was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many
as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of
what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to
each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles
Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
1.
Before you rush to conclude that only people like Peter or John are used
powerfully by God, take a moment to remember who Peter was and what
moments showed his weakness/immaturity (i.e. John 18:10, Mark 14:30,
72).
2.
According to verse 4, how many people came to believe the word/
message while the messengers were subjected to opposition from the
religious authorities?
3.
What can you observe about the list of influential, religious people listed
in the first seven verses? Anything significant?
4.
What statements about Jesus did Peter see the need to offer in response
to the accusations of the leaders? And which one in particular annoyed
the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees according to
verses 4, 8-12?
5.
What did the leaders observed in Peter and John? What about their lives
had changed in verse 13?
6.
What could Peter not help but do in verses 19-20?
7.
What two different groups do you find in verse 21? How are they
different?
8.
According to verses 23-24, how did the believers (friends) respond after
Peter and John reported what had happened?
9.
What two specific things did they ask God for as they prayed, in verses
29-30?
10. What did they experienced in verse 31 as they prayed? How were they
transformed? Read verses 32-37 and see further ways in which they were
transformed. Underline them or make a list!
Personal Application
Notice how the believers interpreted their situation (facing opposition after
doing God’s will). When they looked back they praised God, and in looking
forward they asked for things that will get them into more “trouble”. Who
does that? Why do you think they took such risk? What kind or faith-filled risks
would you be willing to take and why? How have you experienced
transformation through prayer?
Notes:
Notes Continued:
'Who Was Praying for Me Tuesday Night?’
In the 1990s, Pastor Jim Cymbala's oldest daughter Chrissy was far from God
and had been for two and half years.
In Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (pages 63-66), Jim tells the story of what happened.
“One cold Tuesday night during prayer meeting, I talked from Acts 4 about
how the church boldly calling on God in the face of persecution. We entered
into a time of prayer, everyone reaching out to the Lord simultaneously. An
usher handed me a note. A young woman whom I felt to be spiritually
sensitive had written: ‘Pastor Cymbala, I feel impressed that we should stop
the meeting and all pray for your daughter.’
In a few minutes I picked up the microphone and told the congregation what
had just happened. ‘The truth of the matter,’ I said, ‘although I haven’t talked
much about it, is that my daughter is very far from God these days.
She thinks up is down and down is up; dark is light and light is dark. But I know
God can break through to her, and so I’m going to ask Pastor Boestaaf to lead
us in prayer for Chrissy. Let’s all join hands across the sanctuary.’
To describe what happened in the next few minutes, I can only imply a
metaphor: The church turned into a labor room… There arose a groaning, a
sense of desperate determination, as if to say, ‘Satan, you will NOT have this
girl! Take your hands off!’
When I got home that night, I said (to Carol), ‘It’s over!’
‘What’s over?’ she wondered.
‘It’s over with Chrissy…I tell you, if there is a God in Heaven, this whole
nightmare is finally over!’
Thirty-two hours later…as I was shaving, Carol burst through the door. ‘Go
downstairs!’ she blurted. ‘Chrissy’s here! It’s you she wanted to see!’
I wiped off the shaving foam and headed down the stairs, my heart pounding.
As I came around the corner, I saw my daughter on the kitchen floor, rocking
on her hands and knees, sobbing. Cautiously I spoke her name.
‘Chrissy?’
She grabbed my pant leg and began pouring out her anguish. ‘Daddy—Daddy
—I’ve sinned against God. I’ve sinned against myself. I’ve sinned against you
and Mommy. Please forgive me—‘
Then suddenly she drew back. ‘Daddy,’ she said with a start, ‘who was praying
for me? Who was praying for me?’ Her voice was like that of a cross-examining
attorney.
‘What do you mean, Chrissy?’
‘On Tuesday night, Daddy—who was praying for me? In the middle of the
night, God woke me up and showed me I was heading toward this abyss. There
was no bottom to it—it scared me to death. I was so frightened. I realized how
hard I’ve been, how wrong, how rebellious. But at the same time, it was like
God wrapped His arms around me and held me tight. He kept me from sliding
any farther as He said, I still love you! Who was praying for me Tuesday night?”
Chrissy’s return to the Lord became evident immediately and in many ways.
However, what Jim says about the impact this experience had on him is best
told in his words:
“Through all this, Carol and I learned as never before that persistent calling
upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is
impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no
other way.”
See the prayer activity for week 1 at the back of the book.
Week 2 - July 19th-25th
God Transforms a City Because it is His Passion
Isaiah 62
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2 The
nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
3 You
shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 You
shall no more be termed Forsaken,[a]
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,[b]
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,[c]
and your land Married;[d]
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5 For
as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
6 On
your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the LORD in remembrance,
take no rest,
7 and
give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.
8 The LORD has
sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9 but those
who garner it shall eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”[e]
10 Go
through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11 Behold,
the LORD has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12 And
they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the LORD;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.
1.
How would you describe God according to verses 1-3?
2.
Make a list of 3-5 ways that this passage demonstrates God’s
commitment to His people?
3.
What was the condition of the people according to verse 3?
4.
What is the significance of God changing the name of His people in
verse 4?
5.
Why do you think God uses the picture of the bride and bridegroom
to describe His plan for His people in verses 4 and 5?
6.
What is God’s call to action for his people in verses 6-7? How are they
called to participate in restoration?
7.
In verses 8-9, God promises to not only reward His people with the
fruits of their labor but also with His Presence; what blessing does
that bring to them?
8.
As you read the passage, how would you summarize God’s plan for
restoration?
9.
What do you think were the practical implications of a people or city
being changed and named “The Holy People,” “The Redeemed of the
Lord,” “Sought Out” and “Not Forsaken” – especially in comparison to
their old names of “Forsaken” and “Desolate”?
Notes:
Notes Continued:
Reflection
1. Imagine that God has redeemed you and you are a watchman on the
wall of Millville, like in verse 6. List 3-5 enemies that you see
destroying the people of Millville that God has created in his own
image?
2. Of those 3-5 enemies, which one of those bothers you the most? Why?
3. Can you identify any ways that God might be calling you to action?
Perhaps He is calling you to pray against that enemy and for His
restoration; perhaps he is calling you to engage, bring your strength,
passion, skills or energy.
When A.B. Simpson began pastoring a church in New York City in 1880, the
city’s immigrant population was growing by the thousands but the overall
attendance of the city’s churches was stagnant. Simpson had already
experienced profound changes in his belief of what it meant to be a Christian
and resigned from the established, wealthy church he was pastoring with the
purpose of reaching the masses of “unchurched” people in the city- especially
immigrants, homeless, prostitutes, sailors. The very things that kept other
churches away from those people drew Simpson in. He didn’t just radically
change his ministry, he also moved in great faith that God would show up. He
didn’t take a salary to support him and his family but instead trusted that God
would provide as they followed where He was leading. This new church, called
the Gospel Tabernacle, wasn’t instantly established either- an old church
newsletter listed 12 different locations used by the congregation before they
found a permanent location.
Despite the practical challenges, big things started happening! As A.B.
Simpson and his tiny congregation moved towards loving Jesus and loving
their city, God’s work started bursting at the seams! In the first year the
Gospel Tabernacle grew from 35 people to 270 members with 700 weekly
attendees and A. B. Simpson and his family were financially provided for only
by God’s hand. The church held weekly healing services and hundreds of
people physically healed. Members of the church visited hospitals, prisons,
tenements and had committees for everything from caring for the sick to
helping the unemployed find work. The congregation of the Gospel
Tabernacle also adopted patterns that bucked church traditions but were
rooted in the practices of the apostles. They got rid of pew fees and other
rules that didn’t matter and focused on what does matter, like water baptism
and communion.
The congregation of The Gospel Tabernacle flourished and they couldn’t
resist telling everyone they could find about Jesus – holding open air services
and literally knocking on doors and stopping people in the streets. They were
filled with an irresistible joy that couldn’t be contained.
Eventually the ministry of the Gospel Tabernacle grew to include a Missionary
Training School and A. B. and later spurred a movement which created the
Christian & Missionary Alliance as a denomination. But the work begun in that
small church was just as significant. The Gospel Tabernacle is just one
example of how God uses His people to change cities and call people back to
Him.
See the prayer activity for week 2 at the back of the book.
Week 3 - July 26th-August 1st
God Transforms a City When His People Go
Acts 1-2
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do
and teach,2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given
commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He
presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing
to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from
Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you
heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this
time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to
know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will
be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea andSamaria, and to the end of
the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he
was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were
gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white
robes,11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This
Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as
you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is
near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered,
they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John
and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of
James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer,
together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[c]
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons
was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled,
which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning
Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 7 For he was
numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this
man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling
headlong[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed
out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the
field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of
Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’ and
“‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the
Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John
until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become
with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph
called Barsabbas, who was also calledJustus, and Matthias. 24 And they
prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of
these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and
apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And
they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.
2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one
place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing
wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided
tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[e] on each one of them. 4 And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation
under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they
were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own
language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these
who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own
native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors
from Rome,11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear
them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were
amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But
others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed
them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you,
and give ear to my words.15 For these people are not drunk, as you
suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[f] 16 But this is what was
uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants[g] and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you
by God withmighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in
your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[h] delivered up according
to the definite plan andforeknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the
hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death,
because it was not possible for him to be held by it.25 For David says
concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that
he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being
therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and
spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to
Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of
that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God,
and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has
poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did
not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made
him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and
the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to
them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are
far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”40 And with many
other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying,“Save
yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word
were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[i] came upon every soul,
and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And
all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they
were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds
to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together
and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and
generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Reflection questions:
1.
In verses 4-5, what does Jesus command his disciples to do?
2.
What is the gift promised from the Father?
3.
What do you believe is the significance/importance of this gift for Jesus’
apostles?
4.
In verse 6, what was the initial response of the apostles to Jesus’
command in verses 4-6 and to the promised gift of the Holy Spirit? What
does it seem the apostles are expecting Jesus to do? From what you
know, do these expectations line up with the Jesus’ mission?
5.
Jesus’ response to the apostles’ question is verse 7. How does Jesus
redirect the apostles?
6.
What will they receive if they follow his command (v. 4-5)? According to
Jesus in verse 8, what will be the result of their receiving?
7.
What do you think is the significance of the various locations listed in
verse 8?
Notes:
Notes Continued:
Application Questions
1.
What is your understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in living out
the mission of Jesus? How is it similar and different from what is
presented in Acts 1-2?
2.
The early Church is an amazing example of how to live out the Gospel
together as God’s people through the power of the Holy Spirit. In an
environment saturated by God’s grace, the Father’s love was tangible
to the world both in word and deed. It’s no surprise that “each day
the Lord added to their fellowship those being saved” (2:47).
3.
Let’s dream. What would a church committed to the same pursuits
look like in Millville?
4.
In order to more faithfully cultivate the Gospel into the life of your
church and the greater community, what needs to be added to your
life together? What needs to be removed? List everything that
comes to mind.
5.
In what ways do you see the Holy Spirit already at work in Millville?
How can you join him in what He is doing?
The Moravian Missionary Movement
2 SEPTEMBER, 2005
By STEVE ADDISON
Following my post on Encounter—Transformation—Mission, here’s a case
study on the emergence of the Moravian missionary movement in the first
half of the eighteenth century.
1. Dissonance: From childhood, Count Nikolaus Zinzendorf had been devoted
to Christ and committed to the spread of Christianity throughout the
world. In 1722, in his early twenties, he opened up his estate in Saxony to
provide sanctuary for religious refugees fleeing persecution. They came
having suffered for their vision of the New Testament church reborn. They
built a village, Herrnhut “the Lord’s watch”. Zinzendorf set up a number of
institutions to help the poor and the refugees. There was a printing press
for cheap editions of the Bible and other religious literature, a bookshop,
dispensary and school. Here was a community of believers gathered
together with a dream for the renewal of the Church.
2. Struggle: By 1727 an assortment of refugees and others from Moravia
and Bohemia, of Lutheran, Reformed, Separatist, Anabaptist and even
Roman Catholic backgrounds, arrived at Herrnhut, bringing a variety of
ideas and expectations and inevitably disputes and discord. The dream for
a renewed church was under threat. Zinzendorf stepped in personally to
restore harmony. He moved out of his mansion into the village. He held
endless meetings seeking to heal broken relationships. He introduced a
degree of structure to build community. Zinzendorf devoted himself
entirely to the service and welfare of the exiles. He drew upon his own
financial resources to meet their needs.
3. Encounter: On August 13, 1727 the Moravians experienced what can only
be described as a Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit during a
celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Swede Arvid Gradin, who became a
Moravian, later recounted how “Their hearts were set on fire with new
faith and love towards the Saviour and likewise with burning love towards
one another, which moved them so far that of their own accord they
embraced one another in tears and grew together into an holy union
among themselves, so raising again as it were out of the ashes, that
ancient Unity of the Moravian Brethren.” The various factions were no
more. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit continued, including divine
healing. The community was organised into small bands to confess their
sins and pray for one another that they might be healed. Night watches
and prayer vigils were established. Soon a continuous volume of prayer
was being offered up around the clock, seven days a week, either in
groups or in private prayer. This prayer vigil continued uninterrupted for
over a century.
4. Commission: Herrnhut became the model for many similar Moravian
communities throughout the world. Zinzendorf’s aim was not to set up an
independent Moravian church but to promote the ideal of gathering all
Christians as into one wide and open and equal “Community of Jesus.”
Zinzendorf saw the Moravian movement as a missionary community and
all Moravians as “soldiers of the lamb.”Mission
5. Under Zinzendorf, the Moravians became an intense but highly mobile
missionary order. The rapid deployment of many young missionaries
around the world in the space of a few short years, is one of the most
remarkable Moravian achievements. The outreach was made possible by a
relative lack of concern with training, finances, or structure. A Moravian
missionary received from the church, enough money to get to the port.
The missionary was then responsible to work for passage across the
ocean. On the mission field, the missionary took up whatever occupation
would provide the bare amount of food and clothing. The Moravians had
an impact on the existing church as they brought renewal to thousands of
formerly nominal Christians throughout Europe. This was achieved
through the work of itinerant Moravians sent out from Herrnhut in twos
and threes. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1727 and the life
and ministry of Zinzendorf, one of the most dynamic missionary
movements came into existence. In the next 150 years the Moravians sent
out over 2,000 of their members overseas. They tended to go to the most
remote, unfavorable and neglected areas. Many of them were simple
peasants and artisans. The impact of the Moravians did not end with their
own achievements. Their example profoundly influenced both John
Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement and William Carey the
“father” of Protestant missions.
See the prayer activity for week 3 at the back of the book.
Week 4 - August 2nd-8th
God Transforms a City Through Your Resources
Part I: Personal Reflection
Read the interpretation from The Message of this story Jesus told
from Matthew 25:14-30, The Story of the Talents.
4-18 “It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants
together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars,
to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their
abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled
his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the
single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.
19-21 “After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back
and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him
how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work!
You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
22-23 “The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled
his master’s investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did
your job well. From now on be my partner.’
24-25 “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high
standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no
allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good
hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the
last cent.’
26-27 “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live
cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than
the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum
with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28-30 “‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get
rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter
darkness.’
Reflection Questions
1. Make a list of the four main characters in this story, with a phrase
describing what happens to them/what they do. Summarize the story
orally if you are working with a group.
2. What did the first two servants do with the master’s money that he had
given them?
3. Try to imagine what it must’ve been like for the first two servants to
double the money. Write a few sentences below describing what you
imagined
4. Our behavior is always influenced by what we believe. What do you think
the first two servants would have had to believe about:
• Themselves?
• The master?
• The value of the money that they had been given?
• The importance of the job they had been given?
5. Consider the phrase that The Message uses in this passage: “He called his
servants together and delegated responsibilities.” When the master
returned, he also described what they did as ‘their job.’ These
responsibilities first belonged to the master. He was responsible for that
money. But he delegated it as a job to these servants. What does that
teach you about whose money it is and how the servants should look after
what has been entrusted to them?
6. What was the master’s response to the first two servants, who looked
after his money in a way that was consistent with the character of the
master, in verses 19-23?
7. What did the third servant do with the money the master had given him?
8. What did it take on his part to do this? Do you think it was easy? Was it a
risk for him? Write a few sentences below describing what you imagine it
must’ve been like to ‘dig a hole and carefully bury his master's money’.
9. Remember our behavior is always influenced by what we believe. What do
you think the third servant would have had to believe about:
• Himself?
• The master?
• The value of the money that he had been given?
• The importance of the job he had been given?
10. What was the master’s response to the third servant who handled the
masters money not according to the character of the master but based on
his own fear?
Notes:
Notes Continued:
Application Questions
1. Consider these phrases:
… “[You] make no allowances for error.”
… “I was afraid I might disappoint you.”
… “I found a good hiding place and secured your money.”
… “That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like
that!”
… “Why did you do less than the least?”
… “Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most.”
… “And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb.”
These phrases strike me as describing the third servant as someone who
considered the money he was given as his own. Do you tend to naturally see
the ‘resources’ you’ve been given by God as YOURS, or as things that actually
don’t belong to you that you are free to do with them as you wish, or as things
that God has given you as a ‘job’ to manage?
(I’m talking about your time, personality, ‘giftings’- talents or things you’re
naturally good at, money, energy, things you own- house, car, etc.)
2. Make a list of all the things you possess that could be considered
‘resources’ or talents.
3. On your own, take a few minutes to try to brainstorm one or two VERY
PRACTICAL steps you can take to move away from a mindset that your
resources belong to YOU, toward a mindset that all your resources are
given to you, by God, for a purpose. (I.e. Call a neighbor and ask them to
come over to your house for a meal this week- my time, my house, my energy,
my family time, my food- it’s all from God and belonging to God; Ask a
deacon to help you work through your finances so you can create a tithing
plan- my money really is given to me by God for a purpose; Call a friend that
you’d usually just text and ask them how they are- my personality, my time,
‘the way I am’ is all mandated by God for His purposes...etc)
4. Ask God together to change the way you view your resources.
Part II: God Story from Church History
Check out this God Story from church history...and we’re going WAAAAY back
in church history...to the very beginning of the New Testament church. In Acts
4, it says:
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul,
and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but
they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were
giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace
was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many
as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of
what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to
each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles
Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
Just check out how they lived this! Now, this passage is talking mostly about
money, but just look how they described what was going on: “No one said that
any of the things that belonged to him was his own.” Talk about using their
resources for a larger purpose than their own individual agendas. And make
sure you notice what else was going on: “And with great power the apostles
were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,” and “great
grace was upon them all.” In the same context that the Gospel was going out
to many people, the believers were also open-handed with their resources.
See the prayer activity for week 4 at the back of the book.
Week 5 - August 9nd-15th
God Transforms a City By Transforming You
Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have
sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them;
plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and
daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that
they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But
seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the
Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says
the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your
diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that
they dream,[a] 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I
did not send them, declares the Lord.
10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I
will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this
place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for
welfare[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will
call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me
and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,
declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the
nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will
bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
In 586 BC, Jerusalem was destroyed and the elite of Jewish society- the
artisans and professionals and leaders- were taken to Babylon by force. The
prophet Jeremiah received a word from the Lord and wrote these exiles a
letter.
1. What specific directions does God give the exiles for relating to the city of
Babylon in verses 4-7? How do you think the exiles felt about God’s
instructions?
• Build houses and _________________________________
• Plant gardens and ________________________________
• Take wives and ___________________________________
• Take wives for your sons and marry your daughter that
_________________________________________________
2. In verse 6, the ESV says “multiply there, and do not decrease.” How
do each of the commands of verses 5 and 6 describe a process that
leads to multiplication?
3. What is the hope that verse 11 offers to a group of people living in
exile?
4. The promise of verse 11 is that God has not forgotten His people,
and in fact He has good in store for them. According to verse 7,
how will they experience the good that God has for them?
5. What do you think the connection is between the “welfare of the
city” and the exiles “finding their welfare,” according to verse 7?
6. The reality is that the purpose of the exile was to refine, train and
win the hearts of His people for their good and His glory. What is
the promised result of the exile on the people of God?
7. Jerusalem has been destroyed and Nebuchadnezzar is the king
over God’s people, but in the letter Jeremiah is writing, God is in
complete control. How does Jeremiah demonstrate the control of
God in verses 4 and 14?
Notes:
Notes Continued:
Application Questions
1. God has sent His people into exile to bless the city of their
captivity, and while in exile and while blessing the city, God is going
to transform the hearts of his people. What are the indications in
verses 12 and 13 that the people’s hearts will be changed?
2. In your life, how have you been changed or transformed while
moving on mission (moving to bless the city)?
1. Is this true of Christianity in the city where you live? I am not talking about
an ideal where all the problems of your city or county are fixed, but list
some places where you can see evidence of the people of God
“revitalizing life.”
2. The Hebrew Word Translated “prosper” means “to be healthy, to increase,
to have things go well.” It means growth in all its dimensions. What types
of growth within your own life has or could help “prosper” the place in
which you live?
3. A prayer for this week could be Father, I invite you to work in me, and as
you do I will bless this city, and as I bless this city Father continue to work
in me.
William Tyndale
Translator of the first English New Testament
William Tyndale was a native of Gloucester and began his studies at Oxford in
1510, later moving on to Cambridge. By 1523 his passion had been ignited; in
that year he sought permission and funds from the bishop of London to
translate the New Testament. The bishop denied his request, and further
queries convinced Tyndale the project would not be welcomed anywhere in
England.
To find a hospitable environment, he traveled to the free cities of Europe—
Hamburg, Wittenberg, Cologne, and finally to the Lutheran city of Worms.
There, in 1525, his New Testament emerged: the first translation from Greek
into the English language. It was quickly smuggled into England, where it
received a less-than-enthusiastic response from the authorities. King Henry
VIII, Cardinal Wolsey, and Sir Thomas More, among others, were furious. It
was, said More, "not worthy to be called Christ's testament, but either
Tyndale's own testament or the testament of his master Antichrist."
Authorities bought up copies of the translation (which, ironically, only
financed Tyndale's further work) and hatched plans to silence Tyndale.
Meanwhile Tyndale had moved to Antwerp, a city in which he was relatively
free from both English agents and those of the Holy Roman (and Catholic)
Empire. For nine years he managed with the help of friends to evade
authorities, revise his New Testament, and begin translating the Old.
His translations, it would turn out, became decisive in the history of the
English Bible, and of the English language. Nearly a century later, when
translators of the Authorized, or King James Version, debated how to
translate the original languages, eight of ten times, they agreed that Tyndale
had it best to begin with.
Betrayal
During these years, Tyndale also gave himself methodically to good works
because, as he said, "My part be not in Christ if mine heart be not to follow
and live according as I teach." On Mondays he visited other religious refugees
from England. On Saturdays he walked Antwerp's streets, seeking to minister
to the poor. On Sundays he dined in merchants' homes, reading Scripture
before and after dinner. The rest of the week he devoted to writing tracts and
books and translating the Bible.We do not know who planned and financed
the plot that ended his life (whether English or continental authorities), but
we do know it was carried out by Henry Phillips, a man who had been accused
of robbing his father and of gambling himself into poverty. Phillips became
Tyndale's guest at meals and soon was one of the few privileged to look at
Tyndale's books and papers.
In May 1535, Phillips lured Tyndale away from the safety of his quarters and
into the arms of soldiers. Tyndale was immediately taken to the Castle of
Vilvorde, the great state prison of the Low Countries, and accused of heresy.
Trials for heresy in the Netherlands were in the hands of special
commissioners of the Holy Roman Empire. It took months for the law to take
its course. During this time, Tyndale had many hours to reflect on his own
teachings, such as this passage from one of his tracts:
"Let it not make thee despair, neither yet discourage thee, O reader, that it is
forbidden thee in pain of life and goods, or that it is made breaking of the
king's peace, or treason unto his highness, to read the Word of thy soul's
health—for if God be on our side, what matter maketh it who be against us,
be they bishops, cardinals, popes."
Finally, in early August 1536, Tyndale was condemned as a heretic, degraded
from the priesthood, and delivered to the secular authorities for punishment.
On Friday, October 6, after local officials took their seats, Tyndale was
brought to the cross in the middle of the town square and given a chance to
recant. That refused, he was given a moment to pray. English historian John
Foxe said he cried out, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"
Then he was bound to the beam, and both an iron chain and a rope were put
around his neck. Gunpowder was added to the brush and logs. At the signal of
a local official, the executioner, standing behind Tyndale, quickly tightened
the noose, strangling him. Then an official took up a lighted torch and handed
it to the executioner, who set the wood ablaze.
One other brief report of that distant scene has come down to us. It is found
in a letter from an English agent to Lord Cromwell two months later.
"They speak much," he wrote, "of the patient sufferance of Master Tyndale at
the time of his execution.”
-Christianity Today
See the prayer activity for week 5 at the back of the book.
Week 6 - August 16th-20th
God Transforms a City by Transforming His Bride
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[i] came upon every soul,
and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And
all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they
were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds
to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together
and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and
generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
1. How does this passage describe the behavior of the community of the
early church?
2. What things did the early church do to show or demonstrate unity or
something that resembles family?
3. What was the result of their unity or living like a family? Make a list.
4. Verse 44 says they had all things in common. This doesn’t mean they all
have the same likes and dislikes, the same hobbies, the same job, the same
social class or racial background? What do you think unified them?
5. How did the church impact the larger community according to verse 47?
6. People were added to their number day by day. What was so attractive
about the community described in verses 42-46?
7. Make a list of the things happening in this passage that seem contrary to
how the American church lives today. What is the American church missing
out on that the early church did well?
8. In America a lot of us strive for the American dream. The American dream
is often thought of as the pinnacle of success. It usually looks something
like this: own your own house; have 2.5 kids, a dog, a successful career,
money in the bank, self-sufficiency and/or independence; not needing or
lacking anything. When you consider the story of the American dream,
who is the most important character?
9. In the early church, God was the most important character in that story.
How does this passage demonstrate that God is the most important
person in the story? Make a list.
Notes:
Notes Continued:
Reflecting
1. What are the obstacles that would prevent you from living as the early
church did?
2. If you lived unified with other believers: eating together, worshiping
together, living life together, seeing miracles, seeing people come to faith,
what would be positive and what would be negative about that
experience?
3. Spending time together, eating together, worshiping together and
studying God’s Word were some of the ways the early church lived like a
family. Make a list of 3-5 ways you live like you’re a part of the family of
God.
4. What is one thing you’ll change this week in order to live more fully like
you’re a part of the family of God.
In 1970 a revival broke out in Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, on
Tuesday, February 3, 1970. The regular morning chapel commencing at 10
o'clock saw God move in the students in such a way that many came weeping
to the front to kneel in repentance, others gave testimonies including
confession of sin, and all this was mixed with spontaneous singing. Lectures
were cancelled for the day as the auditorium filled with over 1,000 people.
Few left for meals. By midnight over 500 still remained praying and
worshipping. Several hundred committed their lives to Christ that day. By 6
am the next morning, 75 students were still praying in the hall, and through
Wednesday it filled again as all lectures were again cancelled for the day. The
time was filled with praying, singing, confessions and testimonies.
As they continued in prayer that week, many students felt called to share with
other colleges and churches what was happening. Invitations were coming
from around the country as news of the revival spread. So teams went out
from the next weekend to tell the story and give their testimonies. Almost
half the student body of 1000 was involved in the team’s witnessing about
the revival.
In the first week after the revival began, teams of students visited 16 states
by invitation and saw several thousand conversions through their witnessing.
After six weeks, over 1,000 teams had gone from the college to witness, some
of these into Latin America, with finance provided by the home churches of
the students. In addition, the neighboring Theological Seminary sent out
several hundred teams of their students who had also been caught up in this
revival.
Students remaining at the college prayed for the teams and heard their
reports on their return. Wherever teams went the revival spread. The college
remained a center of the revival, with meetings continuing at night and
weekends, along with spontaneous prayer groups meeting every day.
Hundreds of people kept coming to the college to see this revival and
participate in it. They took reports, and their own testimonies of changed
lives, back to their churches or colleges. So the revival spread.
See the prayer activity for week 6 at the back of the book.
Week 1 Prayer Activity
Make plans to attend Third Friday on July 17th or
Adopt-A-Block (center city clean up) on July 18th.
Third FridayOn the Third Friday of every month on High street in Millville
there is an Art Walk, live music, theatre, dining, shops and
galleries.
Adopt-A-BlockCome out July 18th, Saturday, at 10am at St Paul’s Lutheran
Church at 3rd and Mulberry. Questions? Ask Erik Howard
[email protected] or (402) 926-8099.
Come out ready to serve and clean up Center city Millville as we
will pick up trash and clean empty lots.
Before:
The goal here is to observe Millville in a new light. Pay
attention
to what God is doing in the city.
During:
What do you see?
Look to connect with people intentionally.
After:
Did you interact with anyone and what was your
experience?
What is the city like?
What did you feel?
Pray
Ask God to give you more of a heart for Millville.
Pray that God would change the city.
Pray for the people that you saw and interacted with.
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
Week 2 Prayer Activity
Eat at a restaurant in Millville.
As a group talk about these four questions.
1. While at the restaurant stop and look around. Ask the Holy
Spirit to lead your eyes.
• Look at the people’s faces, what emotion do you see?
• What assumptions do you have about your
surroundings?
2. When you pray over your meal ask your server how you can
pray for them.
3. What might be an obstacle for them to hear the gospel? Ask
the Spirit to give you His
thoughts.
4. At the end of your meal, discuss what new perspective you
are leaving with that you
didn’t come with. Write
down your take aways.
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
Week 3 Prayer Activity
Prayer Walk at Camp Grace in Millville.
July 27th-July 31st
Where? St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 3rd and Mulberry.
Time? 5:30pm-8:00pm.
What? Pray and connect with parents of campers.
Why? Camp Grace has been in Millville for five years. It has been
our largest attended camp for the last four years. Come out and
pray for the continued work of God.
When you arrive: Go to the registration table for direction.
Pray for:
Connections with parents and campers.
Gospel conversations.
Connection to the church plant.
God to break racial divisions.
An out pouring of revival.
The next generation.
More households on mission.
Contact: Erik Howard [email protected] or Chris Laws
[email protected]
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
Week 4 Prayer Activity
Prayer walk at Camp Grace in Millville.
August 3rd - August 7th.
Where? St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 3rd and Mulberry.
Time? 5:30pm-8:00pm.
What? Pray and connect with parents of campers.
Why? Camp Grace has been in Millville for five years. It has been
our largest attended camp for the last four years. Come out and
pray for the continued work of God.
When you arrive: Go to the registration table for direction.
Pray for:
Connections with parents and campers.
Gospel conversations.
Connection to the church plant.
God to break racial divisions.
An out pouring of revival.
The next generation.
More households on mission.
Contact: Erik Howard [email protected] Chris Laws
[email protected]
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
Week 5 Prayer Activity
Adopt-A-Block- Come out August 15th, Saturday, at 10am at St
Pauls Lutheran Church at 3rd and Mulberry. Questions? Ask Erik
Howard [email protected] or (402) 926-8099.
Come out ready to serve and clean up center city Millville as we
will pick up trash and clean empty lots.
Before:
The goal here is to observe Millville in a new light. Pay
attention to what God is doing in the city.
During:
What do you see?
Look to connect with people intentionally.
After:
Did you interact with anyone and what was your
experience?
What is the city like?
What did you feel?
Pray
Ask God to give you more of a heart for Millville.
Pray for what God is doing in your heart.
Pray for the people that you saw and interacted with.
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
Week 6 Prayer Activity
Prayer Drive through Millville.
Plan your route and drive through Millville.
Make it a point to drive by some of these places:
• City hall - Pray for the city leaders
• Churches on Second St. - Pray for kingdom impact.
• Neighborhoods - Households on mission, gospel
conversations.
• Businesses - God to prosper the city.
• Homes of people from LFA - Pray for gospel influence and
blessing over their homes.
Additional prayer points:
• New places of connection in Millville.
• Continued growth of existing relationships in Millville.
• Gospel conversations.
• Connection to the church plant.
• God would call people to the church plant.
• Three Pastorates/Missional communities committed to the
church plant.
• Ministry leaders in the church plant.
Share what God is doing on social media.
Use the hash-tag #LFAfast
A special thanks to the following people
for making this guide a reality:
Greg Hill
Charissa Ricketts
Daniel Matro
Jessica Noblett
Erik Howard
Sarah Howard
Ken Atkinson
Diego Cuartas
Living Faith Alliance Church
1987 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland, NJ 08361
856.696.3444 / 856.692.6511 (fax)
www.LFAChurch.org