Lockdown has hit us all in different ways. Yet whilst our church community continues to reach out to one another, many people have lost their primary places of connection. The gym. The school yard. Work. The pub. How can we be reaching out with Christ’s love to our unbelieving friends who may be struggling in this time?

Time alone (10min)

Take a moment to be still. As you read through these familiar passages again, ask God to give you his compassion for those who don’t yet know Jesus.

Read:

Matthew 9:35-38

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

• Imagine you’re standing with Jesus as he looks out over your friends, family, colleagues. Who is he noticing? What are their burdens?

• How do you feel as you look out at the lost in your life? Take a moment to share this honestly with God.

• Who is one person you can be seeking to love and share Jesus’ rest with during lockdown?

“Our hearts weren’t made to hold the pain of the world. Rather they are made to hold the pain of neighbourhoods and the relationships in which we find ourselves located…. Focus on who your life has been intricately woven with.” Jon Owen

Back together:

• Was there anything that God highlighted for you in this time?

• How are we finding keeping up with our non-believing friends in lockdown?

Watch: Sam Chan video 

Share and Pray (Break out rooms):

• With an upcoming CG break over holidays, who is one person you can use this free time to intentionally reconnect/deepen relationship with? Spend some time praying for them together.

Follow-up: The value of listening 
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/shut-up-and-listen/id1500225397?i=1000468879531