Discuss: 1) Where have you seen Jesus “disguised” as someone in need? What was your response? 2) Were you ever on the receiving end of another person’s help? What did the person’s actions tell you about him or her? 3) Where are you more comfortable serving—in the church or in the community? Why? 4) Write a prayer that asks God to show you opportunities to love those in need. Ask Him to give you the desire and strength to respond with the heart of God and the actions of Jesus.
Introduction Peter leads a large group of disciples to an isolated (perhaps secretive) meeting where Jesus will once again give them their marching orders. Then they make their way back to Jerusalem to await the coming Holy Spirit as the movement switches into its...
Introduction After rising from the dead, Jesus appears to His disciples on several occasions. Paul lists the appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. He appeared to many people individually — to His leaders on several occasions and even to a group of disciples numbering...
1) I would have to say that I see Jesus “disguised” as someone in need nearly everywhere. I see it most clearly within the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, in the lives of broken, hurting, and desperate alcoholics and addicts, but we live in a broken world that is full of suffering people, in dire need of our love and care. I have learned that I cannot be helpful to all people, but with the Spirit’s guidance I can certainly effectively love and care for some. My typical response today is to first pray, “Lord, show me how I can be helpful to this person.” Then, as our reading pointed out, it is all about relationship. We can’t know a person’s real needs until we first get to know them, so we get involved and establish a connection with people, that we might care for them well.
2) Yes! Many times in my life I have been on the receiving end of another person’s help. Both in the program of AA and within the body of Christ I’ve come to find the love and help I’ve needed over the years, and I have to say that the people at RP have played a huge role in this. The way in which this community loves and cares for others has shown me that they are committed to loving as Christ does, and what it means to live that out in very real, meaningful, practical ways.
3) I would say that I am comfortable serving both in the church and in the community, and that I am hoping to find ways to expand my service in both of these places😊
4) Heavenly Father, open my eyes and my heart to see the many opportunities to love those in need, and grant me the willingness to go outside my comfort zone and get involved. Keep my heart humble, and let me love others just as I have been loved. Give me the desire and strength to respond with a heart like Yours, and to follow Christ’s example of love and service to You and my fellow man, (and woman).
Christine
1) Where have you seen Jesus “disguised” as someone in need? What was your response?
I see it all around me. I see addicts when I go to meetings, young teenagers that come from brokenness, homelessness, people who are sick, people I encounter at Joshua school, people I work with, pretty much people that I encounter throughout my day. I just need to have open ears to hear and open mind to see. I always do my best to slow to speak and quick to listen and if I have the opportunity pray with them or pray for them.
2) Were you ever on the receiving end of another person’s help? What did the person’s actions tell you about him or her?
God has put so many people in my life that has helped me many times and ways that I’m so grateful for. Jenny and bumble has opened up their home for me when I was down and wanted nothing in return. My best friend Virginia has ALWAYS been there for me as well. I’m truly Blessed with a lot of amazing people and a loving RP community in my life today and it’s all by his mercy and Grace.
3) Where are you more comfortable serving—in the church or in the community? Why?
I’m comfortable helping Jenney with food and serving food because Jenney is like my God mom and she works very hard. So I want to be able to serve with her. I also want to be of service by sharing the gospel to addicts that don’t know God or wants to find a new way of life, freedom from active addiction.
4) Oh Lord Heavenly Father I pray that you guide me to those in need that I encounter, please grant me a heart of love and compassion to be able to spread your light and hope to these neighbors of mine that are suffering. In Jesus name I pray amen 🙏🏻
From Thao
Everywhere I look, I seem to be able to find someone in need. With homelessness so prevalent now, it has become such a norm that I oftentimes dismiss it. I know that handing them a few dollars does nothing to help them out of their state right now, but I’m not sure what else to do to help them.
Yes, I have been on the receiving end of another person’s help. I felt a mix of gratitude yet guilt that I did not deserve the help. That person reaching out and helping Duy and I with our finances makes me feel that God has shown His face to us when we are in desperate need. I was very grateful for them in my life.
I would think serving in the church is more comfortable, but I think perhaps maybe serving in the community to be more comfortable. There is no expectation to serve, as in church, you become assigned the role and expected to serve. In the community, there is a larger pool of people who step in to help, while in the church, there is always a shortage of helpers serving a large group of consumers.
God, please help me show how to love those in need in a way that helps them instead of hurting them. Help me to reflect your love in the way that I serve others.
(Brandon)
I’ve seen Jesus in the elderly and those who are unable to accomplish tasks because of disabilities and such. There have been a few times where I have come across someone who is unable to carry or move something because they don’t have the strength anymore. I remember this one time in high school where I was waiting to get picked up at a Stater Bros parking lot and I saw this elderly lady who had a cart full of groceries. I saw that she was struggling to move the groceries into her car and so I offered her my help. I’ve also been on the receiving end a few times. Their help and guidance told me that they cared about me. I am comfortable serving in both the community and the church. I want to help out anywhere I can because I helping others gives me a sense of purpose. I pray that God may show me the opportunities to those in need and that I may do my best to help them. May He give me the desire and strength to respond with the Heart of God and the actions of Jesus.
1) because I accept Medi-cal (along with its meager reimbursement structure), I see quite a few homeless patients in the clinic. I treat them with the same dignity as I do all my other patients
2) i fell while skiing through the trees 2 weeks ago and subsequently lost one of my skis in the waist-deep powder. A stranger stopped and helped me find it..would’ve taken me a long time without him. I was very grateful..made me think that he must’ve lost his ski in the powder at some point in the past, too.
3) I’m equally comfortable serving in the church or the community, probably because I’ve served in both capacities for many years, with many people.
4) “Lord Jesus, give me the spiritual eyes to see those around me who have needs that I can meet, in your name, with your power, and with your love.”
1) I guess I saw Jesus disguised as someone in need when I was doing my very first devotion because at that time I wasn’t sure what Christianity was but I sometimes felt I had faith in God. So Jesus guided me through that moment, showing me that faith is about love and compassion for others, especially those in need.
2) I have been receiving a lot of help from multiple people, especially from my research advisor. I believe that his actions tell me about him because whenever I ask for something, he is very calm, listens to me, and tries to understand what I want to say. I am always impressed by how patient he is.
3) I am more comfortable serving in the church just because I know most of the people and I actually help serve dinner. But I should remind myself that stepping out from my comfort zone will give me an opportunity to meet new people.
4) Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you show me that I can give my opportunity to see and love those people in need. I have a passion to connect you and respond with the heart of God and the action of Jesus. I pray it all. Amen.
I see it in many places but a place I see it is with the guys I coach, their parents, or even the opposing team. I have been helped by many people. A lot people from RP, my highschool, my family and many more. Their actions showed a lot of selflessness and patience. I feel like I’m very comfortable serving in community. I tend to become very anxious when serving in the church at times because I feel like as a leader we should know things so when I’m caught off guard and don’t know what to say in a sense I feel like it’s bad. I feel like in my community I just need to show that it looks like when Christ is shining thrugh me.
1. I see Jesus disguised as someone in need every street I walk. Every homeless person I have encountered. I would fail to respond to those people because I don’t know who they are and if they are truly homeless. But I remember I went giving out food to the homeless with my family friends, and the people who received it were grateful.
2. Throughout my high school years, I’ve been mentored by Brandt and Diesel on how to embrace my emotions and I didn’t that I needed help that area but I’m glad I got that help and it proved to me how much they love me and how much potential they see in me.
3. I think I am more comfortable serving in school campuses, honestly, because I have grown a lot as a leader at Cru in FV and I find joy in serving in the lives of high schoolers.
4. Dear God, it’s very hard to respond to people and show love when they need it. Help me to show love to people even if I don’t know them and help me to just go in and preach the Gospel to them. Give me the strength to respond to Your heart and Your actions. I pray in Jesus Name, Amen.
I have seen Jesus “disguised” as those who are homeless. My family and I try our best when given the time to help donate food to those we see on the side of the street every now and then. I feel most people understand the words of the lord treat others like how you would want to be treated but most ignore those who aren’t fortunate enough to have what others have. I also have been on the other side of needing help but by the community. When I used to live in Louisiana there would be lots of hurricanes which led everyone to support each other during hardship times. It believe someone’s actions speaks way louder than anything a person can say or compliment. I have been more comfortable serving more in the community when doing it on my own time but serving in the church is something I would like to see myself doing in the near future. Dear God, please help me to continue to give a helping hand and to come across those who are in need of help. I will continue to do what I possibly can in assisting those who are not as fortunate. Please give me strength to love them as you love them.
Someone I saw in need and was really rooting for that was disguised as Jesus to be Don. There was probably ample opportunities for me to help Don when he was struggling. I mainly spoke with Don by checking in on him and just prayed.
Yes, I have been in the receiving end. The persons action showed and taught me grace and unconditional love.
Currently I’m still trying to discern how to serve the community. So I absolutely am more comfortable with church.
Father God, show me opportunities to love like Christ. Give me the strength and guidance in responding like Christ. Pray all this in Jesus name, amen.