NUMC Committee Devotions
May 19th – June 15th, 2014
For this month’s devotions, we continue with our study of Discipleship 101 in which we are looking
at scripture verses that teach us how we can grow more like Jesus. This month we will look at
verses from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 22 verses 36-40.
One of the Pharisees, an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which
is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
It is not enough to simply know the words of these great commandments. In order to be an
effective disciple of Jesus Christ we must be willing to make these words part of our daily actions.
Give each person a 3x5 card and say, “Use these to write down your answers to the following:”
What is one action I could do that would show that I love God with all my heart, soul and mind?
What is one action I could do that would show that I love my neighbor in the same way I love
myself?
What is one action I could do that would show love for myself?
Have each person write down their 3 actions
Now, turn to the person next to you and share your three actions. Offer the larger group to share.
After everyone has shared with each other, ask “How easy or difficult was it to come up with
three actions? Why?”
Now here comes the hard part. Take your 3 actions and find a way to incorporate them into your
life this week. Or, if you are feeling really ambitious, find a way to put them into practice each day!
In closing, let us together say the words of Father Pedro Arrupe, a Jesuit priest, who writes about
what love can do for us:
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, FALLING IN LOVE with God in a quite
absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect
everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your
evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide
everything.
Lord, help us to so love. Amen.