SEEK

So...I said I would start working through the statement that came out of the Calvary Visioning Retreat. I am leading the devotion for tomorrow night's Church Council meeting, using the first word from the statement (after "Calvary UMC..."): SEEK(S)

Here goes...

SEEK

Merriam-Webster offers the following definitions:
1 : to resort to : go to
2 a : to go in search of : look for b : to try to discover
3 : to ask for : request
4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at
5 : to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive

Luke 15:3-10 (NRSV)
3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTIONS
1. When was the last time you earnestly SOUGHT something? What was it? Describe that experience.
2. Who was the last person who SOUGHT you? Why? Describe that experience.
3. Both Jesus’ parables as well as his life demonstrate the importance to God of seeking the lost. Describe a biblical example beyond this passage that evidences God SEEKING.
4. Who in our community is being SOUGHT? Why?
5. Who is God calling you to SEEK? Who is God calling Calvary to SEEK? Why?
6. What would have to change in your life and the life of our congregation for you/us to truly SEEK these persons?

A FEW ADDITIONAL/RELATED RESOURCES:
• “Leaving Ninety-Nine,” by Audio Adrenaline
• General Board of Discipleship’s Evangelism page (www.gbod.org/evanglism)
• Foundation for Evangelism (www.foundationforevanglism.org)
• Resources from the Foundation for Evangelism (www.evangelismresources.org)
• The Frederick News-Post (www.fredericknewspost.com)
• The Gazette (www.gazette.net/frederickcounty)