June 16, 2010
Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Partners,
In high school, I attended a youth group that often had games and competitions. One week, we wanted to see who could eat the most bananas…blindfolded. Three of us went up front, but after the first banana, the other two guys were excused. I continued to allow bananas crammed in my mouth to the cheering crowd, “They’re catching up…keep going, Joe! Don’t let them beat you!” Little did I know I raced against no one. I swallowed large bites without chewing. But, when the blindfold came off, I saw it was all a game. It seemed real, but I made a herculean effort for nothing.
Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Partners,
In high school, I attended a youth group that often had games and competitions. One week, we wanted to see who could eat the most bananas…blindfolded. Three of us went up front, but after the first banana, the other two guys were excused. I continued to allow bananas crammed in my mouth to the cheering crowd, “They’re catching up…keep going, Joe! Don’t let them beat you!” Little did I know I raced against no one. I swallowed large bites without chewing. But, when the blindfold came off, I saw it was all a game. It seemed real, but I made a herculean effort for nothing.
Why am I telling you this? When Christ-followers and churches talk about “discipleship,” it is really just a game. Performing. Educating. Doing. Busying. Often, we are about activities that are profitable, but sometimes we do not want to see the less comfortable side of following Christ. Just give me a Bible study and some good works to do, and I’m ok with that. As one author wrote, “We really just want a few friends and a sermon.” Being and making disciples is becoming like Jesus. Often, that road is not just hard, but it requires deep soul work well beyond the shell.
Zion has started probing into discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. What does it mean to be a disciple? What does it mean to make disciples? God continues to solidify the answers in our minds and hearts. Clearly, the blindfold has come off, and we reject playing of the game. I do NOT mean that we have been failing at all. But, God is at work.
Zion has started probing into discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. What does it mean to be a disciple? What does it mean to make disciples? God continues to solidify the answers in our minds and hearts. Clearly, the blindfold has come off, and we reject playing of the game. I do NOT mean that we have been failing at all. But, God is at work.
So, this makes our prayer list shorter than other months but not short in significance.
• Pray for all three of our Zion campuses (Zion of Jefferson County opens 10/10/10!) that we would continue to grow and be disciple making campuses.
• Last Sunday, we challenged our folks to listen to God for their Mt. Carmel moment (Read 1 Kings 18). Disciples follow Jesus to places where God just has to show up. We cannot rely upon ourselves.
• In July, we start an eight week series on discipleship.
There are other activities and ministries at Zion of Petroleum Valley worthy of prayer (Zone56, life groups, youth activities/outreach, camps, and Family Fun Fest). You can learn more about them on www.zionlife.com. But, for this month, please pray for this exciting time at Zion to focus on what Jesus left us to do, “Go, make disciples…”
Thanks!
Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley
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