Scripture Reference
Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45
Open in Prayer
Looking for an example of an Opening Prayer? Click here.
Message Recap
As we kick off Celebration of Hope, this message will stoke our imaginations and challenge us to limit the distance between us and God’s global church by creating proximity through compassion and understanding. When we consider our global partners, we don’t have to imagine their stories; we can hear them firsthand. And this, the ability to draw near, can compel us to partner with God in some of the greatest work we’ll ever witness.
Discussion Questions
When reading about the leper in Matthew 8, what emotions or thoughts arise for you about the reality of living with a disease that makes you an outcast?
Can you think of a time when you felt like an outsider, separated from others because of circumstances beyond your control? How did that affect you?
How do you think a person’s understanding of their own suffering or isolation might change if they believed that someone truly saw them, not just their condition?
What does the idea of “drawing near” to others, especially those who might feel distant or untouchable, mean in your own life?
What does it look like for you to create “proximity through compassion” in your own community or even globally? How can you get closer to the needs around you?
Live it out
Many of the Celebration of Hope lobby displays are interactive and are designed to help you get proximate to the stories of our Global Partners. Make sure to spend time interacting with each of the displays in your campus’ lobby. Linked here is a COH Groups Discussion Guide for your Group to engage in the displays together. Walk through it on a Sunday, or even a time this week where you have more flexibility to engage.
Close In Prayer
Looking for an example of a Closing Prayer? Click here.
