A series showing us how Jesus uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Ordinary People
Throughout the Bible, throughout history and in this present day, ordinary people have been changing the world. Over the next few months we will be zooming in on people just like us.
Hall of OrdinaryLink to this section
Joanna Thomas
“Lord, show me a place where that’s not true, where Your will is not being done on earth as it is in heaven, because we’re supposed to be, as followers of You, part of the solution.”
Read her story (BBC News)
Study QuestionsLink to this section
Session 1: Ordinary
- When praying the Lords prayer, ‘Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ Joanna Thomas would pray Lord, show me a place where that is not true, where your will is not being done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Where are the places that come to your mind when you consider her prayer?
- What do you think could/should be done?
- What do you think you could do? (knowing as a follower of Jesus you are part of the solution)
- How can you make a fully present God visible in your everyday, ordinary life?
- Share experiences/challenges of ‘being with the least of these’
- How difficult do you find it to wait/be still/pay attention?
- Why do you think that is?
- Do you think waiting/stillness is important? What are you going to do to make it part of your life?
Session 2: Judging
- How do you want to be judged? (Matt 7v2)
- Have you ever judged or been judged when the whole story was not known?
- Reconciliation is not about punishment or vindication, who’s right and who’s wrong, it’s about restoration and healing. How have you seen reconciliation practiced?
- Why do we find it so difficult to say sorry?
- In what ways could you/will you commit to loving, serving, prioritising one another for the rest of the week?
Session 3: Communion
- What has been your experience of the Lords Table/communion/eucharist?
- For most of church history, Communion was central part of the service. How do you think it should be practiced today?
- How important do you think it is to be united as we approach the Table? Do you come to the table caring more about yourself than others?
- What has been your understanding of “taking in an unworthy manner”?
- How can the 4 steps at the Table (Receive, Give thanks, Break and Share) be practically lived out everyday?
Session 4: Fear
Have a conversation around these fears that we may encounter on a daily basis:
- Fear that God’s word can’t be trusted
- Fear of missing out
- Fear of waiting
- Fear of God providing in unconventional ways (Unclean Ravens)
- Fear of not having our next step planned out
- Fear whether God will sustain/provide (will the flour and oil continue)
- Fear has God got the power over death (our last enemy)
Healthy Fears:
- Missing hearing His voice & Why could this be? How could this be prevent
- Not being obedient
- Those around us won’t see God.
