Growing Deeply

a daily scripture guide

Week of November 2 November 7

MONDAY: 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 Wesley on communion

REFLECTION: John Wesley teaches that we should always be ready for
communion, with constant purpose of heart to keep Gods commandments
and sincere desire to receive Gods promises. Are you ready? (From John
Wesleys The Duty of Constant Communion)
PRAYER: God, may my heart always be preprared to receive your many
blessings by keeping your commandments and remembering your promises in
scripture.
TUESDAY: 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 Communion of saints
REFLECTION: When we come to the Lords table, God is present in Christ
through power of the Holy Spirit, along with the communion of saints. As we
remember those who have entered glory, I invite you to sing/read Charles
Wesleys hymn Come, Let us Join Our Friends Above.
ACTION: When you received the gifts of bread and the cup last Sunday, know
that Christ was spiritually present along with those we were remembering.
WEDNESDAY: 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 Unity in communion
REFLECTION: How easy it is to skip the togetherness of dinner? Everyone grabs
and goes. Fewer people sit down at one table and eat together. The same was
true for the Corinthians. Paul offers a strong critique of eating with ones own
family rather than the Christian family.
PRAYER: When I received communion this week, I did so with my Missouri UMC
community and the community of Christians around the world. For this Lord, I
give you thanks!
THURSDAY: Galatians 5:13-15 Living free!
REFLECTION: The key to freedom is mutuality, as expressed in the great
commandment (v. 14).
PRAYER: Teach me to love myself with your love, so that the love I offer others
is refreshing and filling.

Sunday Sermon

Common Things - November 1

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 (MSG)

Regarding this next item, Im not at all pleased. I am getting the picture that when
you meet together it brings out your worst side instead of your best! First, I get this
report on your divisiveness, competing with and criticizing each other. Im reluctant
to believe it, but there it is. The best that can be said for it is that the testing
process will bring truth into the open and confirm it. And then I find that you bring
your divisions to worshipyou come together, and instead of eating the Lords
Supper, you bring in a lot of food from the outside and make pigs of yourselves.
Some are left out, and go home hungry. Others have to be carried out, too drunk to
walk. I cant believe it! Dont you have your own homes to eat and drink in? Why
would you stoop to desecrating Gods church? Why would you actually shame Gods
poor? I never would have believed you would stoop to this. And Im not going to
stand by and say nothing.
Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lords Supper and why
it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and
passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread.
Having given thanks, he broke it and said,

This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me.
After supper, he did the same thing with the cup:

This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this

cup,remember me.
What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every
time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the
Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master
returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt. Anyone who eats the bread
or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered
and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of remembrance you want to be
part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.

My Notes:

FRIDAY: Galatians 5:16-21 The struggle is real

REFLECTION: Which way to go? Flesh or spirit? Perhaps there are some decisions
where you find it easier to walk in the spirit. In what areas of your life do you
steadily walk in the spirit? In what areas do you struggle and fight the flesh?
PRAYER: I offer all of myself to you, that I may be guided by your spirit in all things.
SATURDAY: Galatians 5:22-23a Signs of the spirit
REFLECTION: When we choose to live in freedom, people will see signs the
fruit of the Holy Spirit in our way of life.
PRAYER: May I be full of your spirit, more of You and less of me.
Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Read or subscribe to the full weekly

Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.