j3one

This is the week when small groups are kicking off at New Work Fellowship. Have you signed up? Have you connected yet? Don't miss this opportunity.

2012 Small Group Brochure

Every one of us has a responsibility to be connected with the body of Christ. That doesn't happen best in the larger worship gathering. It happens best in a smaller group. Have you been praying about what God wants to do in and through you as you get connected this fall?

Here is another prayer request for you as it relates to the start of small groups.

I call this the j3one prayer.

It is a very important prayer. And it is a prayer that I'm asking you to pray on this day when many adult small groups, youth groups and Awana gets started again.

This is the source of the j3one prayer.

James 3:1:

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

I've never liked that verse. But it is a very important verse. Teachers of the faith, have a great opportunity to nurture faith in the lives of people. But Teachers also have a fearful opportunity to mislead or misdirect any number of believers.

So this is the j3one prayer: Will you pray for these teachers? Will you pray for those who God has called out and gifted to teach? Will you pray that they will be found faithful in their faith and life? Will you pray that they will be diligent in their study of God's Word? Will you pray that they would not only be students of the Word, but that they would be a living example of the Word of God? Will you pray that their teaching will be fruitful and effective?

Each year, I love to watch the children as they learn bible verses in Awana; verses that can guide them for all of life. I give thanks for those leaders who step up and volunteer to be their teachers. And I am glad that God's word reminds them they will be "judged more strictly". Rightfully so, they are teaching children.

But get this, from God's perspective-we are all children.

Today I ask you as a church to lift up every teacher of the faith: in our many children's classrooms, youth groups, small groups, home groups ... and in worship gatherings.

Will you pray the j3one prayer? If you will open/print that brochure, you'll find the names of a few of those for whom you could pray this prayer.