Heaven Help Us All
- Sean Stanfield
- Jul 24, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2023
Healing the World from the Inside Out.
In 1970, the great Stevie Wonder released a beautiful song titled "Heaven Help Us All.” The lyrics of this song prompt us to ask important questions about how to respond to the world's injustices. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the world's problems, from poverty and inequality to violence and discrimination, climate change, and political abuse. But as the words of the song remind us, we can make a difference! One small act of kindness at a time can bring enormous transformation. Through Christ, we have the power to be a source of hope and healing, to be agents of change in the world, and to help others encounter a love greater than our imagining.
How might we put these things into action in our world? Over the next four weeks, we will reflect on the call to love our neighbors and to work towards justice and peace, considering what it looks like to put our faith into practice in the world. We will examine the barriers that prevent us from taking action and the ways in which we can overcome them. We will also reflect on the role of faith in our response to the world's challenges and how it can inspire and guide us in our efforts to create a better world.
As we embark on this journey, let us remember the words of Stevie Wonder's song, "We all need somebody to lean on." You are invited to journey with us as we strive to be a community of love and forgiveness that grows in trust in God and faithful service to others.
We invite you to journey with us as we explore the search for home through biblical stories.
Week 1: A Community of Love and Forgiveness
Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12
Description: In the first week of our series, we will examine what it means to be a community of love and forgiveness. The words of the writer of 1 John call us to reflect on the importance of love and forgiveness in our relationships with one another. How might we create such a community in our midst? How might we reflect the love of God in moments of challenge and toward those who have hurt us? May God help us all so that we will take up the challenge of cultivating a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own lives and in our communities.
Week 2: Love in Action
Scripture: Luke 10:25-37
Description: In the second week of our series, we will explore the concept of love in action, examining how we can apply the parable of the Good Samaritan to our lives today. We will reflect on the barriers that prevent us from loving our neighbors as ourselves and the ways in which we can overcome them. Through this exploration, we will discover practical ways to demonstrate love in our everyday lives and how we can make a difference in the world around us.
Week 3: Faith in Action
Scripture: James 2:14-26
Description: In the third week of our series, we will focus on faith in action. Using the scripture passage from James 2:14-26, we will reflect on how our faith should inspire us to act in the world. We will explore the relationship between faith and works and the ways in which our faith should shape our responses to the challenges we face in the world. How can we put faith into action and live out our beliefs in practical ways?
Sermon — Discipleship Guide — A Deeper Dive
Week 4: Justice and Peace
Scripture: Micah 6:6-8
Description: In the final week of our series, we will focus on the themes of justice and peace. Using the words of the Prophet Micah, we will reflect on what it means to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with God. We will examine the ways in which injustice and inequality manifest in our world and how we can work towards a more just and peaceful society. What actions can we take in our communities to be agents of change?
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