Continuing our series on friendship, Ben reflects on Jesus’ friendship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus which is recorded in John’s gospel chapters 11 and 12. Friendship with Jesus is transformative. We can learn from the way relationships were formed in this group: paying attention to one another, offering hospitality and unhurried presence, and allowing others to help us. You can listen here or using the player below.
What does it mean to live a life of freedom? Through Jesus’ work on the cross, Paul invites us to be released from all the things which are barriers to relationship with God and others. You can listen to the talk here or using the player below. The reading is from John’s gospel, chapter 8 verses 31-36.
Continuing our exploration of the kind of life God invites us to live, Chris reflects on simplicity and encourages us to take steps to simplify our own lives. The reading comes from Luke ch12 v22-34. You can download the MP3 file here or listen below. To help us in our response, Chris suggests that we think about our own rule of life, and three steps we could take (things to add or give up) in order to simplify our lives.
The ‘paradoxes of simplicity’ attributed to A.W. Tozer in this talk should be credited to Richard J. Foster.
A couple of weeks ago I shared a vision for friendship-building among us. This Sunday gives some space to invest in relationships.
As its a 5th Sunday there is no Central Gathering and usual community patterns will be interrupted.
How, if you are around, might you be able to use that time to invest in friendship with others?
Perhaps you could go or a walk with someone, or arrange to have a coffee or share food?
Maybe you could get together for a game or to go to an event?
There are all sorts of simple ways you could build up friendship – how could you use your 5th Sunday, or another time this week, to take a small step?
At The Feast I suggested God might be inviting us into deeper friendship and connection this year. If you didn’t get to hear the talk, or would like another listen, you can find a recorded version here.
I thought I’d share with you a couple of the things that had been inspiring me as I prepared for the feast.
The first was this short spoken word piece by Phil Knox, I think it captures powerfully the desire for friendship that many have.
The second is a quote by Tish Harrison Warren from her book Liturgy of the Ordinary:
“Christian friendships are call-and-response friendships. We tell each other over and over, back and forth, the truth of who we are and who God is.”
How is it going finding, cultivating and being the kind of friends who ‘tell each other over and over… the truth of who we are and who God is’?
Its not always easy, it takes time and attention and can be painful, but its worth it!
I thought I’d start asking Kairos people to tell me how they build friendships and what challenges they face in relationships on their frontlines. I love what two different people told me this week:
“I find taking an interest in what people do to relax and what motivates them/makes them tick normally provides space for relationships to grow. Also, establishing a rapport through perhaps sharing a humorous anecdote often works quite well for me.”
“What helps me most is time to pause with others, which is also a challenge because of our busy adult working life. Friendships come from times you allow yourself to stop and take a breath with someone else. I try to connect, listen and respond to the people I am with.”
Thank you to the people who shared those ideas with me. What do you think? How do you make and build friendships? What are the challenges to relationships on your frontline?
Last Sunday was the Feast! We celebrated our 13th Birthday, looked back over the last year and looked ahead to a 23-24 vision to build… friendships. We didn’t manage to get a recording of the actual sermon but really wanted to make the talk available to those who missed it or were helping on different teams, so Ben made another recording. You can download it here or listen on the player below.
Download a copy of the ‘Investing in Connection’ booklet here.
Last year, at the Feast, Ben shared a call to follow God with our whole lives. If you were part of Kairos at that time you may remember that he introduced 5 journey statements. Simple ways we could spot and thank God for fruit in our lives and also see where God might be wanting to bring growth. We also focused on these 5 statements during Lent this year (you can read about that here).
As we get close to this year’s Feast We’d love to find out what change or growth we might have spotted in these areas:
I experience God’s presence in prayer & worship. Have you noticed any change in your ability to sense God’s presence or your desire to make space for worship or listening? Maybe you have tried something new, on your own or with your community, to help grow in prayer or worship.
I am in a Kairos community group that grows my faith. Have you joined a new community or found yourself particularly appreciating people around you? Perhaps you have done something together as a community that has helped you grow.
I experience fruitfulness on my frontlines. We’ve made our frontlines quite a focus this year. What have you noticed God doing with you in your everyday places – home, work, places you spend time? Can you spot ways in which God is leading you to be fuiltful on your frontline?
I have friends who are not yet Christians & can spot people of peace. How have you been learning to make friends? Can you see ways in which people around you are taking steps towards Jesus as they share life with you?
I am able to share God’s story & my story. Have you tried anything that has been helpful in your ability to know and tell God’s story in the bible? Perhaps you have developed a new pattern for bible study or enjoyed a particular book, app or tool to help you learn. Maybe you have had the chance to share your story of faith with someone.
I don’t think we’ll all have grown in all of these in the exact same way but I am confident that, when we stop and think about it, we’ll notice God has led us on a journey this year. There are likely to be one or two areas where you can see fruit.
We love to hear what God is doing amongst us! Do you have time to leave a comment and tell us a little bit of your story today? Ben is also looking for 5 people who might share something of their experience in one of these areas at the Feast. If you would be happy to tell your story to others please get in touch.
On Sunday 17th September Ben introduced our new teaching series: An invitation to…
This Sundays theme was Wonder and the reading was Psalm 104. You download the sermon here or listen on the player below.
You can also find Ben’s discussion questions and ideas to try here.
The shooting star image is by Ali and was found on unsplash.
You can listen to Ben’s talk from the 6th August by downloading it here or using the player below. The reading was Genesis 12: 1-5.
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