God Encounters 4: Jonah’s Story
Angry Enough to Die…Broken Enough to Love
Reading for the week of July 18 – 24
Day 1- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on Jonah’s attitudes and actions)
Day 2- Jonah 3-4
Day 3- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on God’s actions and movement)
Day 4- Jonah 3-4
Day 5- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on how you can be like Jonah)
Day 6- Jonah 3-4
Bonus- Acts 10-11
Memorize/Reflect- “…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:3)
Reflection- How do I miss opportunities to share God’s message and what can I do to follow God’s call to share His love with the world with greater passion?
Discussion- What are steps we can take to go to the tough places in our world and share the message and love of Jesus with those who are broken and lost?
Prayer Direction- Pray for the people and places in your community that are resistant to the message of Jesus. Pray for courage, the right words, and a loving heart so you can share God’s love freely.
“Live It!” Challenge- Watch yourself this week. Where are the places that need a loving Christian presence but you tend to avoid them? Make an effort to enter one of these places, with a prayerful heart, and invite God to use you to share His love.
July Prayer Focus: Continue using the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow prayer. Focus on thankfulness this week…for what has passed and what lies ahead.
July – September: Continue developing the spiritual discipline of Simplicity- If you are thinking about getting some new thing, consider looking around at what you have and using something you already have.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 4: Jonah’s Story
Angry Enough to Die…Broken Enough to Love
Reading for the week of July 18 – 24
Day 1- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on Jonah’s attitudes and actions)
Day 2- Jonah 3-4
Day 3- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on God’s actions and movement)
Day 4- Jonah 3-4
Day 5- Jonah 1-2 (Focus on how you can be like Jonah)
Day 6- Jonah 3-4
Bonus- Acts 10-11
Memorize/Reflect- “…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:3)
Reflection- How do I miss opportunities to share God’s message and what can I do to follow God’s call to share His love with the world with greater passion?
Discussion- What are steps we can take to go to the tough places in our world and share the message and love of Jesus with those who are broken and lost?
Prayer Direction- Pray for the people and places in your community that are resistant to the message of Jesus. Pray for courage, the right words, and a loving heart so you can share God’s love freely.
“Live It!” Challenge- Watch yourself this week. Where are the places that need a loving Christian presence but you tend to avoid them? Make an effort to enter one of these places, with a prayerful heart, and invite God to use you to share His love.
July Prayer Focus: Continue using the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow prayer. Focus on thankfulness this week…for what has passed and what lies ahead.
July – September: Continue developing the spiritual discipline of Simplicity- If you are thinking about getting some new thing, consider looking around at what you have and using something you already have.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 3: Daniel’s Story
The Power to Say, “This Far and No Farther!”
Reading for the week of July 11 – 17
Day 1- Daniel 1-2
Day 2- Daniel 3-4
Day 3- Daniel 5-6
Day 4- Daniel 7-8
Day 5- Daniel 9-10
Day 6- Daniel 11-12
Bonus- 2 Kings 22-23 (Josiah’s Story)
Memorize/Reflect- “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8)
Reflection- What is an area of life where I tend to “Cross the line” and need to say, “No more”?
Discussion- What are some of the temptations the world and our culture offers that can entice Christians to cross lines they should not cross? What can we do to resist these temptations?
Prayer Direction- Pray for awareness of when you are being tempted to “Cross a line,” and ask God for strength to resist and live in ways that will honor God.
“Live It!” Challenge- Pick one area you have been, “Crossing the line,” and set a goal to honor God by living a new way for thirty days. Have a friend or two pray for you and keep you accountable. By the end of a whole month living a new way in this area of your life, consider making this a permanent lifestyle.
July Prayer Focus: Continue using the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow format for your prayers.
July – September: Continue growing in the spiritual discipline of Simplicity- Consider saying, “Enough,” by identifying one thing you have that you have not used for months and months and giving this to someone who could really use it.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 3: Daniel’s Story
The Power to Say, “This Far and No Farther!”
Reading for the week of July 11 – 17
Day 1- Daniel 1-2
Day 2- Daniel 3-4
Day 3- Daniel 5-6
Day 4- Daniel 7-8
Day 5- Daniel 9-10
Day 6- Daniel 11-12
Bonus- 2 Kings 22-23 (Josiah’s Story)
Memorize/Reflect- “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8)
Reflection- What is an area of life where I tend to “Cross the line” and need to say, “No more”?
Discussion- What are some of the temptations the world and our culture offers that can entice Christians to cross lines they should not cross? What can we do to resist these temptations?
Prayer Direction- Pray for awareness of when you are being tempted to “Cross a line,” and ask God for strength to resist and live in ways that will honor God.
“Live It!” Challenge- Pick one area you have been, “Crossing the line,” and set a goal to honor God by living a new way for thirty days. Have a friend or two pray for you and keep you accountable. By the end of a whole month living a new way in this area of your life, consider making this a permanent lifestyle.
July Prayer Focus: Continue using the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow format for your prayers.
July – September: Continue growing in the spiritual discipline of Simplicity- Consider saying, “Enough,” by identifying one thing you have that you have not used for months and months and giving this to someone who could really use it.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 2: The Apostle Paul’s Story
Paul the Terminator
Reading for the week of July 4 – 10
Day 1- Acts 6-7
Day 2- Acts 8-9
Day 3- Acts 13-15
Day 4- Acts 16-18
Day 5- Acts 19-21
Day 6- Acts 22-24
Bonus- Acts 25-28
Memorize/Reflect- “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Reflection- How have my life, attitudes, dreams, and desires changed since I became a follower of Jesus?
Discussion- Tell about how God has transformed who you are because you are in a living relationship with Jesus. What is one area you know God wants to change and grow you in the coming year?
Prayer Direction- Pray for people you know and care about who have not yet surrendered their life and heart to Jesus.
“Live It!” Challenge- Look for a natural opportunity, this week, to tell someone a story about how God has changed your life because you are a Christian.
July Prayer Focus: Continue praying the- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow prayer. Look back, look at today, and look forward and saturate your days with prayer for God’s help and will to be unleashed in your life.
July – September: Continue the practice of Simplicity- This is the discipline of growing in contentment as you say, “Enough,” and seek to simplify your life. This week, tune in to the temptation to impulse buy. Commit to ask the question, “Do I really need this?” before buying and then take 24 hours to pray before making a decision to buy…see what happens.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 2: The Apostle Paul’s Story
Paul the Terminator
Reading for the week of July 4 – 10
Day 1- Acts 6-7
Day 2- Acts 8-9
Day 3- Acts 13-15
Day 4- Acts 16-18
Day 5- Acts 19-21
Day 6- Acts 22-24
Bonus- Acts 25-28
Memorize/Reflect- “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Reflection- How have my life, attitudes, dreams, and desires changed since I became a follower of Jesus?
Discussion- Tell about how God has transformed who you are because you are in a living relationship with Jesus. What is one area you know God wants to change and grow you in the coming year?
Prayer Direction- Pray for people you know and care about who have not yet surrendered their life and heart to Jesus.
“Live It!” Challenge- Look for a natural opportunity, this week, to tell someone a story about how God has changed your life because you are a Christian.
July Prayer Focus: Continue praying the- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow prayer. Look back, look at today, and look forward and saturate your days with prayer for God’s help and will to be unleashed in your life.
July – September: Continue the practice of Simplicity- This is the discipline of growing in contentment as you say, “Enough,” and seek to simplify your life. This week, tune in to the temptation to impulse buy. Commit to ask the question, “Do I really need this?” before buying and then take 24 hours to pray before making a decision to buy…see what happens.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 1: Joseph’s Story
Holding God’s Hand in the Dark
Reading for the Week of June 27 – July 3
Day 1- Genesis 37 and 39
Day 2- Genesis 40-41
Day 3- Genesis 42-43
Day 4- Genesis 44-45
Day 5- Genesis 46-47
Day 6- Genesis 48-50
Bonus- Acts 16 and 2 Corinthians 11
Memorize/Reflect- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20)
Reflection- How has God been near me and held my hand, even in the hard times of life?
Discussion- Tell about a time you went through loss, pain, or struggle that made no sense to you; but later, you began to see how God had been working in your life through this dark time.
Prayer Direction- Pray for people you love and care about who are going through a difficult time. Thank God for being with you, even in the hard times of life.
“Live It!” Challenge- Over and over we read that, “The Lord was with Joseph!” When you face tough times in the coming weeks, say to yourself, “I know the Lord is with me, even if I can’t see Him.” Then, look back later and see where God was at work.
July Prayer Focus: Try a new way of praying called- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. You can journal, pray out loud, or lift this up silently. Simply look back at yesterday and pray through the day…what you experienced. You can confess, thank God, and learn from the past. Then, lift up today…give it to the Lord. Really think through the whole day and ask for God’s leading. Finally, offer the coming days to the Lord and ask for His leading and blessing.
July – September: Begin the practice of Simplicity- This is the discipline of growing in contentment as you say, “Enough,” and seek to simplify your life. In July we will think about economic simplicity. Consider identifying something you can do without and take what you would have spent on this and give it to someone in need.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
God Encounters 1: Joseph’s Story
Holding God’s Hand in the Dark
Reading for the Week of June 27 – July 3
Day 1- Genesis 37 and 39
Day 2- Genesis 40-41
Day 3- Genesis 42-43
Day 4- Genesis 44-45
Day 5- Genesis 46-47
Day 6- Genesis 48-50
Bonus- Acts 16 and 2 Corinthians 11
Memorize/Reflect- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20)
Reflection- How has God been near me and held my hand, even in the hard times of life?
Discussion- Tell about a time you went through loss, pain, or struggle that made no sense to you; but later, you began to see how God had been working in your life through this dark time.
Prayer Direction- Pray for people you love and care about who are going through a difficult time. Thank God for being with you, even in the hard times of life.
“Live It!” Challenge- Over and over we read that, “The Lord was with Joseph!” When you face tough times in the coming weeks, say to yourself, “I know the Lord is with me, even if I can’t see Him.” Then, look back later and see where God was at work.
July Prayer Focus: Try a new way of praying called- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. You can journal, pray out loud, or lift this up silently. Simply look back at yesterday and pray through the day…what you experienced. You can confess, thank God, and learn from the past. Then, lift up today…give it to the Lord. Really think through the whole day and ask for God’s leading. Finally, offer the coming days to the Lord and ask for His leading and blessing.
July – September: Begin the practice of Simplicity- This is the discipline of growing in contentment as you say, “Enough,” and seek to simplify your life. In July we will think about economic simplicity. Consider identifying something you can do without and take what you would have spent on this and give it to someone in need.
Resources online or in the Shoreline Bookstore: As you seek to encounter God in fresh new ways, consider reading, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas or The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.
Happy Father’s Day
“Everyday is Father’s Day”
Reading for the Week of June 20 – 26
Day 1- 1 Thessalonians 4
Day 2- 1 Thessalonians 5
Day 3- Philippians 2
Day 4- Philippians 4
Day 5- Romans 5
Day 6- Romans 12
Bonus- 2 Peter 1
Memorize/Reflect- “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Reflection- Do I make giving thanks part of my daily routine?
Discussion- Am I naturally joyful or not, and if not, how can I create a joyful attitude in a difficult world during tough times?
Prayer Direction- Ask God to give you the guidance and direction you need to set up a structure of self-reminding! It’s no shame to forget and slowly drift away from prayer, joy and thankfulness. This happened back in the days of Jesus and Peter and it happens today with us. Pray for the power to make this “will for you” part of your every-day life.
“Live It!” Challenge- Set your watch, phone, computer, or some other device to go off twice a day this week. When it does: 1) Stop and evaluate how thankful you have been in the past few hours, 2) Thank God for two or three things!
June Prayer Focus: Continue your focus on confession in your prayers. Use this simple format for your prayers: 1) I confess where I have not followed Your will in my past; 2) I confess where I am resisting Your leading and will today…help me surrender to you; 3) I ask you to help me surrender my future to you, more and more, so I need to confess less and less.
April-June: Continue the practice of Silence. This week, try a 30 minute time of silence and simply listen for God’s voice.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore: Check out, Master Your Money or Generous Living by Ron Blue. Also, Pick up Seismic Shifts, by Kevin Harney and read chapters 13-15…they are all about money.
Happy Father’s Day
“Everyday is Father’s Day”
Reading for the Week of June 20 – 26
Day 1- 1 Thessalonians 4
Day 2- 1 Thessalonians 5
Day 3- Philippians 2
Day 4- Philippians 4
Day 5- Romans 5
Day 6- Romans 12
Bonus- 2 Peter 1
Memorize/Reflect- “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Reflection- Do I make giving thanks part of my daily routine?
Discussion- Am I naturally joyful or not, and if not, how can I create a joyful attitude in a difficult world during tough times?
Prayer Direction- Ask God to give you the guidance and direction you need to set up a structure of self-reminding! It’s no shame to forget and slowly drift away from prayer, joy and thankfulness. This happened back in the days of Jesus and Peter and it happens today with us. Pray for the power to make this “will for you” part of your every-day life.
“Live It!” Challenge- Set your watch, phone, computer, or some other device to go off twice a day this week. When it does: 1) Stop and evaluate how thankful you have been in the past few hours, 2) Thank God for two or three things!
June Prayer Focus: Continue your focus on confession in your prayers. Use this simple format for your prayers: 1) I confess where I have not followed Your will in my past; 2) I confess where I am resisting Your leading and will today…help me surrender to you; 3) I ask you to help me surrender my future to you, more and more, so I need to confess less and less.
April-June: Continue the practice of Silence. This week, try a 30 minute time of silence and simply listen for God’s voice.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore: Check out, Master Your Money or Generous Living by Ron Blue. Also, Pick up Seismic Shifts, by Kevin Harney and read chapters 13-15…they are all about money.
