important

Borders Day 10
Desperately Wanted

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Mark 10:13-16
James 1:27-2:9
Mark 9:36-37 

The image of Jesus with children surrounding Him is pictured on the cover of children’s Bibles and displayed in Sunday School rooms all over the country. You’re probably imagining a specific version of this picture as you read. I am, too. Jesus is in His white gown with a red sash, a light brown beard and sandals drawn on His feet. One child sits on His lap while His other arm is spread wide, welcoming the other children around Him.

This image has almost become a cliche.
“Let the little children come to me…”

I can imagine this scene so well, because I’ve been imagining it for over 20 years.
But, listen with me to hear Jesus’ tone.
Don’t read these words in the lofty “Jesus” voice we tend to give Him. Read it as if your kids are about to run on stage during church and when you go to grab them by their squirmy little arm, the pastor says, “No, no, no! Let them come up here. It’s no big deal!”

Then reread it again.
This time, read it like they’re about to run into their daddy’s office where he’s working and after you call out, “Kids, don’t go in there!” you hear, “Babe, it’s fine. They can come in!”

Reread it for a third time, this time remembering how you felt as a child.
Imagine running next door to say hello to your elderly neighbor. Your mama shouts, “Come home and stop bothering Mr. Al!” But Mr. Al responds with a hearty, “Let her come over! I have some lemon cookies to share!”

See, when Jesus said, “Let the children come to me”, He wanted His disciples and the parents to know that He not only didn’t mind the children coming, He wanted them to come! He wanted them to hear Him and learn about His Father. He wanted them to climb up on His lap as He continued doing His Father’s work. He wanted to bless them with gifts and precious memories.

These children were desperately wanted.
All children are desperately wanted by our Jesus!

But friends, not all children know just how wanted they are by the Savior.
Maybe they know their parents want them, but they don’t know Jesus does.
Or maybe they feel unwanted by so many, not realizing that Someone does want them to know Him and love Him and know they are loved by Him.

These children are everywhere.
They sit next to your daughter in class.
They play on your son’s baseball team.
They stand in front of you at the grocery store.
They go to church with you.
They walk miles to and from school every day in the heat of the African sun.
They care for their younger siblings while their parents farm in fields.
They ride on boats across treacherous waters to find safety.
They are used to fight in wars.
They are used for addictions and to cater to disgusting desires.
They are sold and exploited.
They are brought to America with their families.
They are mutilated and married off to men as old as their fathers.
They cover their entire bodies, and they wear nothing at all.
They eat until their bellies can’t fit anymore, and they eat mud cakes to quiet their aching tummies.
They sing songs loudly and learn chants, and they are sworn and scared into silence.
They come from wealthy families, and they come from the poorest of the poor.
These children live in America and they live in New Zealand and every country in between.
These children are everywhere.
And Jesus wants them.

Jesus took the children before Him into His arms, and blessed them. He gave them favor and protection. He took them into His arms, those same arms that would be spread out on a cross with nails driven into them, and He held these precious children. Because He wanted them.

Jesus wants you.

But Jesus also wants you to want these children.
He wants you to love them and serve them and bless them.

The Bible says over and over again to love and care for the orphan and the widow…
the weak, the poor, the vulnerable, and the lowest in the caste system.

Start praying about what wanting these children means for you.

It can mean deciding to work with children in foster care.
It can mean sponsoring a child overseas.
Maybe it means teaching Sunday School or even volunteering in your kids’ classrooms.
It could mean a mission trip.
It could even mean stepping outside of your political stance or your immediate emotions to give in capacities you never imagined giving.

But I believe, with all of my heart, that Jesus wants us to look at the children in our lives and say, “Hey! It’s ok! Come over and sit with me. I want you.”

And then teach them about the One who wants them more than He wanted His own life.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Borders Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Here’s a link to all past studies in Borders!

Repurposed Day 7
Belonging To Each Other: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Belonging To Each Other!

Romans 12:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

The Questions

1) What is the context of this passage?
Who is Paul talking to in this passage?

2) What does the word “renewal” mean
in v. 2?

3) What is Paul’s message in v. 4-7?

The Findings for Intention

1) What is the context of this passage? Who is Paul talking to in this passage?
This passage follows an entire discourse by Paul explaining to the Jewish believers why Gentiles have a part in the gospel community. When he transitions to chapter 12, he begins explaining Christian life and how a believer should act. It is thought that something specific had happened in Rome that caused Paul to speak directly to issues such as mentioned in this passage. The other message Paul was trying to express to the Romans was as believers we are all in one body and each of us has a part to play in that body of Christ. Every person that heard this letter was probably part of the church at Rome and would have been a believer. He is stressing the fact that being a true follower of Christ trumps any cultural or social barriers that exist!

2) What does the word “renewal” mean in v. 2?
The word renewal means to be new again. As we look at the original language, the implication is the same. There is a complete change for the better, a renovation of the heart and mind. When we become believers there is a transformation that must take place in order for our life to resemble that of a believer. Paul wants the Romans to know that their minds must be renewed in order to not be conformed to the world. Cultural differences within the body can hinder our transformation if we do not allow for truth to permeate and the Holy Spirit to renew. Our diversity is meant to help a body of believers to thrive.

3) What is Paul’s message in v. 4-7?
As believers we are individual members within the Body, but as individuals we are one piece of a greater function of the body of Christ. We have been given gifts that help us “work out our salvation” so that we can serve not only the Church, but also the community at large. Each believer has a unique function much like within the human body, the heart does what a heart is supposed to do or lungs do what lungs are supposed to do. As believers, Paul is telling the Romans, there is a part for each person to play and there is a function for each believer within the greater context of the body of believers.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the context of this passage? Who is Paul talking to in this passage?
Our bodies are not our own. This statement sounds funny but in the greater context of the gospel it simply means that God created you with a purpose and a plan to live out that purpose. Our spiritual act of worship for the Lord is giving our gifts and talents to Him and allowing Him to use you within your context and community, no matter how great or small.

2) What does the word “renewal” mean in v. 2?
Renewal comes about when we know the Lord. Be reminded that transformation comes from renewing our minds in His Word and soaking in His presences. We have a choice to make each day, we can be transformed and remade by Him or conformed to the world.

3) What is Paul’s message in v. 4-7?
I read a book once that said, “Don’t compare, don’t go there, it only leads to despair.” When we lose sight of what God has given us and focus on what God gave someone else, we become useless within the body of believers. We spend our time and energy lusting after someone else’s gifts and forget that we too have a gift that God wants to use. Just like with a puzzle, each piece has its place and when that piece is placed somewhere it does not belong the picture isn’t complete. You are one piece of a greater puzzle and you have a place in the God designed masterpiece.

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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into
Repurposed Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Repurposed!