The Extraordinary Ordinary Life

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Study Notes

What if ordinary life is where God wants to meet us?

Faith in Jesus impacts and informs all of life...

Big Picture

• Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah proclaimed in the Old Testament.
• God's kingdom was proclaimed in the Old Testament (Daniel 2:44)
  • Greater than all other kingdoms and will reign over all other kingdoms
  • Not made by human hands
  • Not built on tyranny and oppressive power
  • It will endure forever!
• We long for and look forward to the kingdom to come ... "New heaven and new earth" (Revelation 21:1-4)
  • The great hope of God's people
  • God will dwell with man
  • No pain or sickness, or death
  • We long for the return of Jesus

"The Kingdom of God has come near." Mark 1:15

• The kingdom of God, spoken of for generations before, is now available through Jesus
• True, genuine and abundant life with God is available this very moment

In light of the "already / not yet" tension of the kingdom how should we then live?

Repent and believe in Jesus! 

• Change your mind from your old way of thinking, turn away from sin by asking for God's forgiveness.
• Place your trust in Jesus' all-sufficient sacrifice so you might have forgiveness for your sins.

Life with God Disciplines

1. Meditation
   Train our minds to change the way we think by meditating on Jesus Christ and His presence through the Holy Spirit.
2. Gratitude
   God has given us much to be thankful for, testifying to His goodness. Give thanks to God for the "big stuff" and the "smaller" things in life.
3. Self-Sacrificing Service
   "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Mark 8:34
   Our primary context of service, is our everyday life (i.e. within our family, work, community, etc.)

Questions for Small Groups, Family and Personal Reflection

1. Considering the characteristics of God's Kingdom and the reality that it is available now, how does that affect you, particularly in your "ordinary" day-to-day life?
2. Ethan suggested one practical way to mediate on Jesus and His presence, by reading a story about Jesus in the gospel books in the morning and meditating on Him throughout the day. Consider this, and other practical ways that you could meditate on Jesus and realize His presence.
3. Jesus is not only our Redeemer, but He is the Creator. What are you grateful for? Consider things revealed through Scripture, creation and through your life and the life of others.
4. In your day-to-day life, are there people that at times have exhibited self-sacrificing service, like what Jesus exemplified? What has that looked like in the context of your family and/or workplace?
5. Of the three "life with God disciplines" that Ethan mentioned, is there one that stands out to you? Should a person practice all three?

Resources

• The Gospel of the Kingdom by George Eldon Ladd
• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence