Summer Acts of Service Reflections:
Scripture: Acts 16:11-15
We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis.
From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.
One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.
She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
SERVE:
This week's SERVE activity is to show radical hospitality just as Lydia did above. We encourage you to write sidewalk chalk blessings or create signs to put in your yard or on your door for your neighbors.
Reflection:
In this story, we see that God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the message of Jesus spoken by Paul. Once she received this message, she responded in radical hospitality. Begin today’s reflection by taking a moment to open your heart to what God may be trying to tell you. After you have done this, be mindful of anyone and anything that comes to mind. Whatever God puts on your heart, whether it is checking on a friend that came to mind, or doing random acts of kindness for strangers, etc. Make it a goal to respond this week.
General Reflection Questions:
- How do you identify when God is speaking to you (i.e. see a specific bird or hear a specific song)?
- Are you always willing to act on what God is telling you?
- Think of a time when God was telling you to do something, after you did it, what was the result? If you didn’t do it, what stopped you?
Reflection Questions for Students:
- How often are you aware of God’s presence in your life?
- Are you open to listening for the voice of God?
- How is God telling you to respond to that voice?
Reflection Questions for Families with Children:
- Ask your children what God looks like. Tell them that we see God in the kind actions of others. In what ways lately have you seen God's presence?
- Find a quiet place in your home or in a nearby park to sit with your kids and just be with God. Take a few minutes to close your eyes, take purposeful breaths, listen to the sounds around you. Pray out loud to God for what is in your heart, name your goals and aspirations, take turns with your family and children, praise your children's thoughts without judgment. Go about the rest of your day with renewed purpose.
- For this week's act of service, we are asking families to spread cheer to your neighbors and community. Grab some sidewalk chalk and take a walk with your children. Write inspiring and kind messages. Instruct your children to draw pretty pictures of butterflies and flowers. Take pictures of your art work and send share to communications@crossroadsnova.org or on our FB and Instagram pages.
Prayer:
God, our hearts are open to You. We are Yours, therefore, use us to show Your presence to those around us. Compel us to react to Your voice when we hear it. Drive out any fear or doubt that may stop us from reacting. May we respond to You with the radical love and hospitality that we see Lydia respond with in this week’s scripture. Allow us to drown out the noise in our everyday life so that we may be able to hear when You talk to us. Amen.
