Growing Deeply

a daily scripture guide

Week of July 6 July 11

MONDAY: LUKE 15:11-18 Desperation causes a return home

REFLECTION: Coming home (physically and spiritually) can be a time of
replenishing. When have you needed to go home?
PRAYER: Jesus, I hear you saying welcome home. In you I find rest and
refreshing from the times Ive been used all up.
TUESDAY: LUKE 15:18-24 Always looking for you
REFLECTION: The father saw the son while he was far away. Imagine every
day hed scan the pasture looking for his sons return. What joy that God is
always looking for us.
ACTION: Sing or listen to a version of Amazing GraceI once was lost but
now am found. Hear the words through the story.
WEDNESDAY: LUKE 15:25-32 The lost one and the found one
REFLECTION: The prodigal son learned what the older brother already knew.
The older brother had the blessing of knowing the father, being with him,
and having all that he had. At the end of the story both sons were found.
PRAYER: Assure and affirm in me my relationship with you. I belong to you.
You are with me. You provide for me. May I live found.
THURSDAY: ROMANS 8:31-38 No guilt or shame
REFLECTION: People accept feelings of guilt or shame when God says you
are loved no matter what.
PRAYER: I offer to you my guilt and shame. Replace them with your
unconditional love.

Sunday Sermon
The Invitation - July 5
Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Then he said, There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father,
Father, I want right now whats coming to me.
So the father divided the property between them. It wasnt long before the younger son
packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted
everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all
through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him
to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig
slop, but no one would give him any.
That brought him to his senses. He said, All those farmhands working for my father sit down
to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. Im going back to my father. Ill say to
him, Father, Ive sinned against God, Ive sinned before you; I dont deserve to be called your
son. Take me on as a hired hand. He got right up and went home to his father.
When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out,
embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: Father, Ive sinned against God,
Ive sinned before you; I dont deserve to be called your son ever again.
But the father wasnt listening. He was calling to the servants, Quick. Bring a clean set of
clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a
grain-fed heifer and roast it. Were going to feast! Were going to have a wonderful time!
My son is heregiven up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found! And they
began to have a wonderful time.
All this time his older son was out in the field. When the days work was done he came in. As
he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys,
he asked what was going on. He told him, Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a
feastbarbecued beef!because he has him home safe and sound.
The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and
tried to talk to him, but he wouldnt listen. The son said, Look how many years Ive stayed
here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for
me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows
up and you go all out with a feast!
His father said, Son, you dont understand. Youre with me all the time, and everything that
is mine is yoursbut this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours
was dead, and hes alive! He was lost, and hes found!

My Notes

FRIDAY: ROMANS 8:31-38 No weak Christians

REFLECTION: Do you live from a place of strength or weakness?
PRAYER: My strength is in you Lord. May I live and love from a place of
powera power that is rooted in your love.
SATURDAY: ROMANS 8:31-38 Gods our cheerleader
REFLECTION: Imagine God is rooting for you. God believes in us to the point of
sending Jesus on our behalf. Now, what wouldnt you do for a God like that!?
PRAYER: Your love is overwhelming. Your grace astonishes. Your presence
enfolding. You are all that and so much more.
Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Read or subscribe to the full weekly

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