Part of Jesus' mission was definitely forgiveness of an individual's sins. No doubt about it. But what does that look like in reality? Today we're going to take a look at forgiveness from another perspective, from the angle of reconciliation. www.dictionary.com defines reconcile as to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent.." Let's look at some passages how the Living God, through his followers, talks about the ministry of reconciliation.
Take time to thank the Living God for the steps he has taken to reconcile the world to himself, chiefly through the life and death of Jesus and through the life and death(s) of his Church.
Check out Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 1:15-23; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
- What is the consistent them throughout these passages? (hint: what is it that the Living God is doing?)
- In the Ephesians passage, what are the two groups/categories of people that is Jesus is reconciling? Is he reconciling them only to the Living God or is he reconciling them to each other as well?
- Where is the new temple (or dwelling place of the Living God) "located" according to Ephesians 2:21-22?
- What word is repeated 6 times in Colossians 1:15-23? Is there anything that Christ isn't over or that Christ isn't reconciling?
- Check out Colossians 1:21-23. Explain these verses in your own words.
- How should our lives change if we believe what Paul claims in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15?
- How does believing that claim from question 6 change the way we view people?
- Reread 2 Corinthians 5:16-17. How does it compare with your answer to question 7?
- How does this knowledge affect the way you think about yourself and the sins you've committed in the past?
- How has the Living God invited us to be a part of his ministry of reconciliation according to these verses in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21?
- How can you take part in the ministry of reconciliation in your school and in our youth group?
- What does the ministry of reconciliation look like in your school and in our youth group?
Take some time to pray for one or two of your friends that don't know the Living God of Scripture. Ask the Living God to grant you the desire and ability to love them and share the good news of reconciliation with them.
Peace.
Richard
2 comments:
1) Sent his son to reconcile
2) uncircumcised and circumcised. He is reconciling them both to the Living God and to eachother.
3) in the living spirit
4) Things-he is over all things
5) We are enemies of God because of evil behavior but through Christ death we became holy.
6) We shoiuld live for others in Christ.
7) We should love eachother.
8) You begin life anew for Christ love.
9) The old person is gone and the new one has begun so your sins are gone.
10) We should reconcile others since we have been reconciled.
11) Gorgive others.
12) It is good, everyone forgives eachother for the mistakes that were made.
1. The consistent theme is the making of peace between the Gentiles and the Jews and that Christ is holding up the walls of the family of God. It also talks about how all can come to God through the same spirit.
2. The groups are the Gentiles and the Jews, or the circumcised and uncircumcised. God is reconciling them to both him and each other.
3. Well there is really no specific location because it says that people make up the temple and Christ holds it together.
4. Everything or all things
5. I think it is explaining about how the Gentiles used to be because it talks about how they used to be far from God.
6. We should no longer be living for ourselves but for Christ who died and resurrected for us.
7. It changes the way we view people by helping people find God and believe this.
8. It is kind of saying not to judge people like how people judged Christ because everyone is new.
9. It makes me feel pretty good because I know that Jesus died for me so that I can begin new.
10. Like in the verses 17 and 18 it says all of the people who belong to Christ would begin as a new person so it is pretty much inviting everyone.
11. I can work on forgiving others easier.
12. It looks like talking disagreements through with people to forgive eachother.
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