Preparing for the Year ahead

As we head into the year ahead we are very much aware of the changes, global risks and threats ahead. Similarly God spoke to Jacob when he faced employer deceptions, family losses and business crisis. God's message was simple - go where I want you and I will be with you (Gen 31:3).

Review Jacob's business and family issues in Gen 30:25-33 and Gen31 and discuss how these issues relate to our own situations.

Then looking to the year ahead discuss:

• how can we strengthen our faith walk in a tough world?

• what footprints are we leaving in the sand?

• what vision are we casting for the year ahead?

We all leave legacies at the various stages of our lives - in our school years, later in youth work, then home, church and business.

• What legacies do we want to leave for others in the year ahead?

Three Parables for the Marketplace from Matthew 25

Read the three parables:

1. The ten virgins (1-13)

2. The talents (14-30)

3. The sheep and the goats (31-39)

Bible Engagement - Round Table Conversation

How would you categorise the point of the teaching in these three parables and what do they have in common?

Christianity has a broad spectrum of faith responses from an eight year old child's simple expression of trust that: "Jesus loves me this I know because the Bible tells me so" to the profound where even the most intelligent theologians will argue over the doctrines of the free will of man and the sovereignty of God.

These three parables in Matthew 25 focus on the accountability man faces before God for our use of our free will in the practical choices we make in everyday life. In other scriptures the teaching of the sovereignty of God runs parallel to choice. In reality both doctrines are correct like two tracks of a straight railway line running parallel where we stand yet joining at the horizon.

These three complementary parables are about our responsibilities before God in vital area of everyday life:

1. you are responsible for your spiritual preparation and readiness

2. you are responsible for the productive use of the gifts God gives you

3. you are responsible to care for the poor and those in need around you.

We want to discuss these parables together because the trap is to have a silo mentality towards each one of the parables and depreciate the importance of the others. For example some may think the point of Christianity is about spirituality and holiness (as with the ten virgins); others may think it is about being productive in the use of our gifts (the talents); and others see Christianity as being primarily about social justice (the sheep and the goats).

Discuss around the table how all three of these parables are equally important and share stories about how you have seen these principles play out in everyday experiences. What are the consequences of failure in these three parables?

Conclude in prayer for each other and for the people in the shared stories.

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