Growing Deeply

a daily scripture guide

Week of January 18-23

Activists: Loving God Through Confrontation

Activists serve a God of justice. [They] may adopt either social or evangelistic causes,
but they find their home in the rough-and-tumble world of confrontation. They are
energized more by interaction with others, even in conflict, than by being alone or in
small groups.

MONDAY: Luke 11:37-42 Jesus confronts

Calling the Pharisees to justice and love, Jesus confronts their ways of tending
to outward cleanliness over inward care and concern for the poor and needy.
TUESDAY: Luke 11:37-42 Integration
The Pharisees gave to the poor and needy; however, they neglected sincerity of
heart for their situation. A call for integration is activism, I believe. Giving and
assisting in behaviors that shape justice is part of activism.
WEDNESDAY: Luke 11:37-42 An action step
Two things you can do as an activist: 1. Thoroughly research any activity before
joining it. Ask God for wisdom. Seek counsel, confirmation, and accountability.
2. One caution: continually develop tact, gentleness, and persuasion.

Caregivers: Loving God by Loving Others

Caregivers see Christ in the poor and needy, and their faith is built up by interacting
with other peoplecaring for others recharges a caregivers batteries.

THURSDAY: James 1:19-27 The blessedness of acting

The caregiver lives out care for widows and orphans as a way of hearing and
doing the word, or being hearers and doers as James says.
FRIDAY: I John 3:14-24 Love is an action word
Caregivers worship is characterized by putting hands and feet into action all
while being motivated by love. Love, for the caregiver, is tangible and visible.
SATURDAY: Luke 10:27 The Great Commandment
Two things you can do as a caregiver: 1. Adopt someone who needs the care
you can provide and 2. Be careful that your care for others is not seeking care
or love for yourself.

Read or subscribe to the full weekly

Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Activists

Take the brief assessment below to see how much of an activist you are.
Rate each statement 1-5, with 1 being not true and 5 very true. Taken from
Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Souls Path to God by Gary Thomas.
_______1. I feel closest to God when Im cooperating with Him in standing
up for justice: writing letters to government officials and newspaper editors,
picketing at an abortion clinic, urging people to vote, or becoming familiar
with current issues.
_______2. I get very frustrated if I see apathetic Christians who dont become
active. I want to drop everything else Im doing and help the church overcome
its apathy.
_______3. The words courageous confrontation and social activism are very
appealing to me.
_______4. Activities like confronting social evil, attending a meeting to
challenge the new curriculum before the local school board, and volunteering
on a political campaign are important to me.
_______5. The book written by Frank Schaeffer, A Time for Anger, would be an
important book for me to read.
_______6. I would like to awaken the church from its apathy.
__ Total (Any score over 15 indicates a preference for this spiritual temperament.)

Caregivers

Take the brief assessment below to see how much of a caregiver you are.
Rate each statement 1-5, with 1 being not true and 5 very true. Taken from
Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Souls Path to God by Gary Thomas.
_______1. I feel closest to God when I see Him in the needy, the poor, the sick,
and the imprisoned. I feel Gods presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly
beside the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or taking a meal to someone in
need. You can count on me to offer a ride or volunteer for helping activities.
_______2. I grow weary of Christians who spend their time singing songs while
a sick neighbor goes without a hot meal or a family in need doesnt get help
fixing their car.
_______3. The words service and compassion are very appealing to me.
_______4. I sense Gods power when I am counseling a friend who has lost a
job, preparing meals for or fixing the car of a family in need, or spending a
week at an orphanage in Mexico.
_______5. The book, 99 Ways to Help Your Neighbor, would be an important
book for me to read.
_______6. I would rather nurse someone to health or help someone repair
their house than teach an adult Sunday school class, go on a prayer and fasting
retreat, or take a lonely walk in the woods.
__ Total (Any score over 15 indicates a preference for this spiritual temperament.)
Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.