Sojourn Blog

Ephesians Series Devotional For The Week Of November 16, 2014

Brad House — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 09:25:52 +0000

Overcoming Grace: Filled with the Spirit

Passage: Ephesians 5:15-21

Sharing Your Story

What is one thing you are most thankful for this week?

Applying God’s Word in Community

What thoughts or ideas stuck with you from the sermon? What is God teaching you through them?
What can we learn about what it looks like to be filled with the Spirit from Paul’s comparison to being drunk?
In what way does a Spirit-filled, joy-overflowing life present a compelling picture to your non-believing co-workers?
How might sharing with our group what the Lord is doing in your life be a way to encourage one another?
What keeps your life from being marked by consistently giving thanks to God for everything?
Make a plan this week to sit together on Sunday and worship as a community group.

Applying God’s Word With Kids in Community

Read Ephesians 5:19-20
Kids, what is your favorite song to sing about Jesus?
Let’s practice what this verse teaches by singing together now.
Invite a child to pray and thank God for giving us music so we can sing.

Prayer

Confess to God ways that you’ve tried to find your own way rather than doing the will of God.
Praise God for the gift of community to sing hymns of praise with as reminders of gospel truth.
Pray for the Sojourn families living and working in France, seeking to make the most of every opportunity to spread God’s fame in their city.

Family Devotions at Home

Read Ephesians 5:18
Have you ever been out of control? What does that look like?
What does it look like to have self-control?
What do you think it looks like to be under the Holy Spirit’s control? What would that person be like?
Holy Spirit, help us live a life that is under your control.

Ephesians Series Devotional For The Week Of November 9, 2014

Jason Read — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 17:01:44 +0000

Overcoming Grace: Exposed by Grace

Passage: Ephesians 5:3-14

Sharing Your Story

Who did you most want to be like as a child and why?

Applying God’s Word in Community

What thoughts or ideas stuck with you from the sermon? What is God teaching you through them?
Why does Paul invite us to figure out what pleases God instead of giving us the complete list of right and wrong?
In what ways does this passage disturb areas of your life that you have become comfortable with sinning?
What are some ways that your group can participate in the life and events of your neighborhood?
What might it look like for our group to bring light into the dark systems of our city like poverty and racism?

Applying God’s Word With Kids in Community

Read John 10:27
Work it out: Buy some candy and hide it around the place where your group is meeting. Be sure to hide one piece of candy where you can read it but the kids cannot. Have the kids hunt for a while. Then ask…
Why don’t you grab that one coin? What did it feel like when you couldn’t reach it without help?
Can we reach God or come to God in our own power? No. We can’t reach God, but he reaches us.
Invite a child to pray and thank God for reaching us when we couldn’t reach him.

Prayer

Expose to the light through confession the sinful deeds that you try to hide from God and others.
Praise God that we have already been forgiven in Christ, allowing us the freedom to be open about our struggles.
Pray for the people that live and work in the St. Matthews neighborhood. Ask God to send Sojourners there to offer a compelling witness of a life lived in God’s light.

Family Devotions at Home

Read 1 John 1:9
What does it mean to confess our sins? It means to admit that we’ve done wrong. It means that we should tell exactly what we’ve done and not hide it.
When we confess our sins, how does Jesus show his faithful love to us? He forgives and washes away our sins.
Is there any sin that you need to confess right now?
Parents: Is there any sin that you need to confess to your children?
Thank God that we can be forgiven from sins because Jesus has taken the punishment we deserve.

Ephesians Series Devotional For The Week Of November 2, 2014

Brad House — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 09:00:25 +0000

Overcoming Grace: The Witness of Grace

Passage: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sharing Your Story

Share a time that you recall being especially encouraged by the words of a friend.

Applying God’s Word in Community

What thoughts or ideas stuck with you from the sermon? What is God teaching you through them?
In what way are you aware of the effects that your words have on other people?
From your past experience, how has letting your anger stay with you only led you to more sin?
What experiences and skills from your past is God inviting you to use for his glory?
How does the forgiveness that you’ve received in Christ allow you to offer radical forgiveness to those who have hurt you?
In what ways has God’s grace been causing you to live a life more and more characterized by love?

Applying God’s Word With Kids in Community

Read Acts 9:1-22
Was Saul looking for Jesus?
Explain: Saul’s wasn’t looking for Jesus. He was looking to hurt Jesus’ people. Even though Saul wasn’t looking for Jesus, Jesus found him.
How did Saul’s life change after he met Jesus? Instead of trying to hurt Jesus’ people, Jesus sent him to others to tell the good news.
Invite a child to pray and ask God to change our lives.

Prayer

Praise God because he always speaks words of truth over us, even when we want to believe lies about ourselves.
Ask God to give you a conscious awareness of the power of your words in your relationships.
Pray for Daniel Montgomery as he leads and preaches at the Midtown Campus. Ask God to use Daniel’s words to build up, encourage and benefit the lives of others.

Family Devotions at Home

Read Ephesians 5:1-2
What does it mean to imitate someone? To act like them. To follow their example.
How many of you want to be like your mom or dad?
Who does this verse tell you to imitate? Whose example does it say to follow?
Ask God to help us love others like Christ loved us. We can’t do this without his help.

How To Prepare For Sojourn Gathered, November 2, 2014

Bobby Gilles — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:38:01 +0000

This Sunday at Sojourn Gathered we’ll explore the witness of grace, from Ephesians 4:25 through 5:2 Read this section in advance, and ask yourself:

How does the forgiveness you’ve received in Christ allow you to offer radical forgiveness to those who have hurt you?
What experiences and skills from your past is God inviting you to use for his glory?

Songs we’ll sing include:

Grace Alone

This Old World

Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us

See you Sunday.

Interview About Sojourn Women, Review Of Trunk Or Treat, And More

Bobby Gilles — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:07:03 +0000

On today’s 12-minute Sojourn Community Life audio, I talk with Sojourn Women leader Amanda Edmondson about the upcoming Fall Conference, Women’s Leadership School, and the goal of Sojourn’s women’s ministry.

I also review this past weekend at Sojourn, including the three Trunk Or Treat events that drew thousands of neighbors across Kentuckiana. And I preview the week ahead, from our next Sunday Gathered to the upcoming Sojourn Network National Conference. Listen here. If you’d like to download it, click File – Save Page As.

Sojourn’s Liturgy Recap, October 26, 2014

Bobby Gilles — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:32:04 +0000

Welcome to Sojourn’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. You can find links to the set lists of this church and many other churches each week in the Worship Set Lists at theworshipcommunity.com. And you can learn about the upcoming sermon text and some of the songs we’ll sing each week in advance of the Sunday service by reading my “How To Prepare For Sojourn Gathered” post each Thursday.

Finally, my Sojourn Community Life podcast will feature an interview with a Sojourn leader each week, and will also celebrate what’s gone on in the previous week at Sojourn, and what’s coming up within the next week — all in about 15 minutes.

Prelude: Abide by Liz Vice.

Call to Worship:

Welcome. Each time we gather, it’s an opportunity to respond together to Who God is and what He has done. So many things are calling out for our attention and affection, but it’s the Lord who deserves our praise:

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

…Kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and young women, old men and children. Let’s all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; His glory towers over the earth and heaven! He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones—the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD! – adapted Psalm 148:1-4,11-14

Song: Our Great God written by Mac Powell and Fernando Ortega.

Confession:

Almighty and merciful God,

we’ve all strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much

the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against your holy laws.

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Spare those who confess their faults.

Restore those who are penitent,

according to your promises declared to the world

in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

And grant, O merciful God, for his sake,

that we may live a holy, just, and humble life

to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

-adapted from the Worship Sourcebook

Song: O Help My Unbelief by Isaac Watts and Justin Smith.

Celebration Of Assurance

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

-Romans 6:6-7

Song: Jesus Paid It All written by Elvina M. Hall and John T. Grape.

Passing of the Peace:

Let’s greet one another with the peace of Christ.

Then we preached a sermon from our Ephesians series. You can hear Sojourn sermons in the Sojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Waters of Forgiveness by Brooks Ritter from The War.

Baptism/Reading

Song: Over Death written by Jesse Eubanks, Joel Gerdis, and Neil Degraide.

Benediction

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

-Jude 1:24

Stories of Change: Steph Bell & Patrick Finney

Allison Wopata — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:28:55 +0000

We often hear powerful stories from people in our midst who have experienced great change. In an effort to encourage each other, we will be sharing a few of these stories each week from Sojourners across all campuses.

Steph Bell (New Albany)

I was quite the independent, free-spirited, and normal kid growing up In the sticks of Western Pennsylvania. I liked to draw and just be with people. However, I was exposed to a lot of unsafe, unhealthy, and unfair situations. My family has a legacy of pain and brokenness and they did everything they could to raise up the next-generation beyond what they knew.

We spent a lot of time trying the church thing, trying to get help through ‘the system’. The world around me endorsed the phrase “Whatever doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.” I was taught to persevere by example, avoiding mistakes and hurt where necessary – striving, persevering, fully dependent on my own ability.

Then an avalanche took place in my heart. I was between 10 and 16. Those years consisted of a parental-figure in my life committing suicide, waking up to the reality of long- term drug use in my home, my mom being severely beaten for the last time by her boyfriend, and a season of moving around that eventually led to foster care.

These hardships didn’t make me stronger. If anything they gave me glimpses of hopelessness that no one, much less a child should have to encounter. I came to the end of every resource. My ability to ‘fight back’ with optimism or willpower against the hurt was finished.

I began to lack the strength to overcome the day to day battle. Hopelessness took root in my heart and started to grow. I almost took my own life. I decided to have a last conversation with God. My brain was flooded with image after image of hurt and I cried out “Why?”

In response I heard an honest, broken-hearted, fatherly voice exclaim, “I love you”; and with that, HOPE overtook me. This was not an empty statement from God. His love was shown when he sent his Son to pay for the sins committed against me and those I had committed. I was broken and weak in my sin and Christ lived the perfect life I couldn’t live, died the death I should have died, and rose from the grave conquering the sin and death and plagued my life.

Looking back, I know people were praying for me, even the ones who didn’t know how to help in the day to day or what to say when they saw my tears. The tears didn’t stop, and the challenges didn’t either – but that night, I had given my heart to the Lord and was able to take up some armor. I am here today to say that God’s heart, that broke with mine – has enabled me to hold onto the regular reminder from Him to let Him be my strength, my rainbow-in-the- dark, my hope for dawn, and joy that comes in the morning.

‘Life’ is no longer happening TO me but I am enabled to carry my weakness with courage in who the Lord is IN and THOROUGH me. (Romans 5:3-5) In THIS – a season of personal declaration – I have chosen to be baptized to proclaim my faith and relationship with the LORD and REDEEMER that I have personally known the last 15 years.

Patrick Finney (Midtown)

Growing up, my parents always forced me to go to church. Though I attended every Sunday, I understood very little about the gospel and the character of God. I thought God only liked good people, and that being a good person was the way to heaven. Since I was constantly getting into trouble, I was convinced that God hated me, and I was destined for hell.

Being constantly reminded of my shortcomings by my family, schoolmates, and teachers, I didn’t see much hope for the future. I was in a constant state of depression, and my mind was flooded with suicidal thoughts. I spent most of my time watching pornography, and living in a fantasy world that seemed more appealing than the reality I was stuck in.

But then, in high school, most of the friends who I was getting into trouble with were all expelled or sent to alternative schools. I was forced to make new friends, and the people I connected with invited me to church. It was completely different than the church I grew up in. People were genuinely worshiping God. There was energy and life.

I could tell these people were connected to God, and during an altar call, I met the Holy Spirit and was convicted to turn away from my sin.  From there, God began showing me through a series of mentors that he loved me. I learned that Jesus came to save messed up people like me by living the perfect life I didn’t live and suffering for me on the cross, and that I had his love unconditionally.

God has shown me that I am his son. He is my Father, and he will always be with me. I never have to be alone again because I am a saved child of God.

Will you share your own story of grace with us? God wants to use your story to encourage others. Email media@sojournchurch.com or simply fill out this form.

Ephesians Series Devotional For The Week Of October 26, 2014

Jason Read — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 08:06:20 +0000

Overcoming Grace: Graces Makes Us New

Passage: Ephesians 4:17-24

Sharing Your Story

Share an example of how God’s Spirit has helped you put off your old way of living.

Applying God’s Word in Community

What thoughts or ideas stuck with you from the sermon? What is God teaching you through them?
In what way are sinful desires deceitful?
Celebrate together by sharing stories of how God has recently been working to renew the attitude of your mind.
In what way is living a life of righteousness and holiness about more than just actions?
In what way does a life devoted to God present a compelling picture of the Spirit-led life to the non-believers in your life?
How does thinking about your non-believing children as having the type of sinful desires that Paul described change the way you parent?

Applying God’s Word With Kids in Community

Read 1 John 2:15. What kinds of things does God want us to do? Obey parents, love our brothers and sisters, share
How many of you do those things all of the time? No one.
Explain: This verse tells us that is because what is in our heart—“the bad things we love to do”—are stronger than what is in our head “good things I know to do.”
Do you know how God wants to rescue you from the sin in your heart? He wants to give you a new heart—one that loves Jesus more than we love ourselves.
Invite a child to pray, and ask God to give us new hearts.

Prayer

Confess to God ways that you are struggling to no longer live as your old self, and ask for the Spirit’s help to live as a new creation.
Praise God for winning our salvation completely in Christ rather than basing it on how well we can clean up our lives.
Pray for opportunities to share your faith with your neighbors. Ask God for an opportunity to have a neighbor over for a meal or party soon.

Family Devotions at Home

Read Ephesians 4:22-24
Have you ever had a time that you wanted to change your mind but you couldn’t
Parents: Tell your kids about a time you weren’t excited about doing something, but overcoming love changed your mind. For example, you could tell about a time when you didn’t want to go out with your kids, but because you love your kids (or because you really love ice cream—hint, hint), you decided you would go get ice cream with them.
Holy Spirit, change our hearts when we do wrong and give us an overcoming love for you.

How To Prepare For Sojourn Gathered, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Bobby Gilles — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:36:15 +0000

This Sunday at Sojourn Gathered we’ll explore the grace that makes us new, from Ephesians 4:17-24. Read this section in advance, and ask yourself:

In what way is living a life of righteousness and holiness about more than just actions?
How has God been working to renew the attitude of your mind?

Songs we’ll sing include:

Our Great God:

Waters Of Forgiveness:

O Help My Unbelief:

See you Sunday.

Learn How We’re Doing At Church Planting And Learn About Our National Conference

Bobby Gilles — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:37:30 +0000

This week on the 15-minute Sojourn Community Life audio, I talked with Dave Owens, Associate Director of Sojourn Network. We talked about how this church planting network has grown in the past year. We also talked about the mission to not only plant churches but to equip existing pastors, and to work with strong churches in order to grow together and help each other plant more churches.

Finally, we talked about the upcoming Sojourn Network National Conference, Ashes To Beauty. Learn why you’ll benefit from this conference, whether you’re a church planter, pastor, deacon or an involved member of your church.

I also recap some big things that have happened lately within the Sojourn Community, and preview the upcoming weekend. Listen here.