TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. Luke 2:43-44
Read: Luke 2:41-46
Listen: Luke 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
It’s easy to read today’s passage and wonder how a family could leave a child behind. However, when we look more closely at the story, we see a compelling vision of community and family that challenges and speaks to us. When Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem for Passover, they travel with their whole family: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and siblings. They also travel with friends and others from the village. It’s hard to know just how big their group was but it was for sure a communal event.
We can learn a lot from this story today. This story challenges us in the area of community. American culture focuses on the individual even though we have all sorts of technology to connect us. It’s easy for us to look up one day and realize we travel alone.
So what is the role of community in our modern lives? Time and again, we see the power in traveling with other people. Because God created us for community, our hearts are drawn toward doing life together. This might be our family, group of friends, small group, a mix of these and even more. We all have room for growth to ensure we don’t walk alone. Our community of people encourages, challenges and supports us in the big and little things in our faith and life
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Who are the people in your community—people you rely on and can rely on you? Are they pushing you toward Jesus, and are you doing the same for them? If it is easy for you to answer, pray a prayer of gratitude for God’s provision in this. If you think this is an area of growth for you, pray and ask God to bring the right people into your life. Learn more about group opportunities at our church at adabible.org/groups.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
MATTHEW 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
