Rolling Fast
The next two weeks will be dedicated to a rolling fast. The outline is provided below: The goal of this challenge is to move from self to service, from individualism to community, and from indulgence to sacrifice as we grow in love for God and others. Day 1Object of fast: FoodMoving from bread to Bread of […]
Fully Present with Intentional Speech
This challenge invites us to put our minds and spirits where our bodies are — fully in the present. In order to accomplish the second two challenges we need to address the first: 1. Be fully present. Make yourself available and don’t multitask. Pay attention to people you are with and invest where you are […]
Blessing
The challenge for the next two weeks has two parts: Give a blessing to someone or speak words of encouragement each day to someone over these next 2 weeks. Plan ahead to speak specific words you mean. Diversify: bless members of your small group and non-members of your small group: those in your life and […]
Practicing the Presence of God
This challenge focuses on walking with God every day, every hour, every minute. God is present; the only thing that varies is the degree to which we are aware of his presence. This challenge will hopefully expand our awareness of his presence over the next couple of weeks. 1. Pray Wesley’s covenant prayer each morning: […]
Gratitude and Joy
1) Keep a daily gratitude journal for the next two weeks. Each day, take a few minutes to write down a list of things you are thankful for. Gratitude is a gateway to joy. 2) Spend time in your small groups each week sharing with each other about things you are thankful for and rejoicing […]
Treat Others With Respect
This week’s challenge stems from the rule that we will treat everyone with respect as ones created in the image and likeness of God. The challenge has two parts: Don’t multitask in interpersonal relations. Ask the question “really?” when people tell you they are doing fine, and see what happens.
Letting Go of Worry
Our challenge for the next two weeks stems from this passage in Matthew 6: “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The challenge has three parts: 1) Choose to be where you are, and be grateful. 2) Practice the prayer of release. […]
Hospitality
Here is the challenge for the next two weeks as we seek to offer radical hospitality with our presence and our possessions: 1) Hang out with a small group member that you do not know very well at least once during the challenge. 2) Set yourself up to succeed at hospitality. Try to eliminate any […]
Exercises in Humility
This challenge is to engage in practices of humility. Specifically, read through the following list of principles for humility adapted from Jeremy Taylor’s writing (1613-1667). Select three of the principles to put into practice this week: Do not think better of yourself because of any outward circumstance that happens to you. Humility does not consist […]
Integrity: Let Your “Yes” be “Yes”
The challenge for the next two weeks comes from a desire to live with integrity. Do not say “maybe” but respond with an honest answer of either yes or no. Correct breaches of integrity as soon as possible. (In other words, fix it immediately). Do not make excuses for your error. Simply confess it and […]
