7/20/2017

Jesus taught us to pray:


Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is
in heaven.
(Matthew 6:10, Luke 11:2)



I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading about this part of the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come.”

What is God's kingdom anyway? 

What is our part in partnering with him to bring it? 
What is our part both as individuals and as a church

I found six broad biblically based categories of goals that could indicate that the kingdom of God is thriving in a community.


For which of these categories has God given you a passion? 


Let's join with him in work that brings his kingdom. In God's timing this kingdom will come in fullness, but until then, we are here to live it out, share it and invite others into it.


In Church - A Community of Believers

Witness
Where the kingdom of God thrives, non-believers in communities learn about God.

Corporate Worship
Where the kingdom of God thrives, Christ followers gather to worship in ways that promote deep communication with God and with each other.

Studying and Remembering Scripture
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities understand and remember Scripture

Christian Rites
Where the kingdom of God thrives, Christ followers mark crucial events with ceremonies.

In Personal Spiritual Life

Prayer and Meditation
Where the kingdom of God thrives, individuals have vibrant prayer lives

Spiritual Formation
Where the kingdom of God thrives, Christ followers experience spiritual growth

Personal Bible Study
Where the kingdom of God thrives, individuals examine Scripture accurately and faithfully

Applying Scripture
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities apply the Bible to their lives

Through Justice

Social Justice
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities love and strengthen the poor and others in their margins.

Education
Where the kingdom of God thrives, community members learn what they need to succeed in and contribute to their societies

Literacy
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities read and listen to the Bible and other literature

Economic Opportunity
Where the kingdom of God thrives, all community members can work to contribute to their material well being.

Bringing Shalom (Peace) 

Healing
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities respond to social, emotional, and physical challenges in healthy ways

Reconciliation
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities reconcile with each other and with outside communities

Rest and Play
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities balance productivity with rest and play

Knowing Scripture

Translating Scripture
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities translate Scripture (so that they can know what God has communicated)

Oral Scripture
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities access Scripture through familiar forms (non-literate peoples)

Valuing Individual Cultures - Identity and Sustainability

Valuing Identity
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities value their culture.

Teaching Children
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities teach their traditions to their children.

Using Media
Where the kingdom of God thrives, communities contribute to local, regional, and global recording industries.


slightly adapted from Creating Local Arts Together, A Manual to Help Communities Reach Their Kingdom Goals, Brian Schrag & James R. Krabil, International Council of Ethnodoxologists. William Carey Library, 2013.

Here's another resource, a link to a good sermon I read this week that challenged me on this topic. 

7/19/2017

Finding God in Nature

"Earth's crammed with heaven, 
And every common bush afire with God, 
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries."
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning (18th Century British Poet)

7/15/2017

The Map is Live!



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