The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

The Other Side of Hope: Living in Purpose

1 John 1:1-7; 3:1-3, 21-24

TRACKING THE WORD
When a hope is fulfilled, how do we live in its light? And what new hopes does it inspire?

1. Jesus' FIRST coming fulfills many of God's promises and PRESENTLY changes the lives of all who believe in Him.

1 John 3:1-3

Four changes Jesus' first coming makes:

- Law is fulfilled, Holy Spirit guides

- Forgiveness & grace open for all

- New creations in Jesus’ likeness

- Jubilee & liberation begin

2. DISCIPLESHIP is about learning to live now in all the LIGHT God makes available to us in Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:5-7; 2:6

Three marks of authentic discipleship:

- Purifying ourselves daily

- Loving others sacrificially

- Bearing witness passionately

3. Even as we live in the fulfillment of Jesus' first advent, we live in hopeful ANTICIPATION of His second coming.

1 John 2:15-25; 3:2-3

Four changes Jesus' second coming will make:

- Lingering injustices will end

- Death will be destroyed

- Sorrow will yield forever to joy

- We shall be fully like Jesus

GROWTH & ACTION POINTS
Applications for spiritual journaling, one-on-one discipleship, or small group discussion

1. Journal or discuss: Thinking about the birth of Jesus and his "rescue mission," what difference has Jesus' first coming made for the world? What specific differences has Jesus made in your life?

2. What must happen before the difference Jesus' first coming potentially makes can be actualized or realized in a person's life? Describe how and/or when has this happened with you? If you have not received God's eternal life offered through Jesus Christ, why not now? Read and pray 1 John 1:9.

3. Read the first three chapters of 1 John. What does John emphasize as essential aspects or actions of living in relationship with Jesus? If you took this literally, what changes would this make in your life? Are your ready and willing to make these changes? Journal and discuss your responses.

4. We live "in between" Jesus' first and second comings (or advents). What are some things that you look forward to being completed, changed or fulfilled in Jesus' second coming? In what ways do these anticipations help you live faithfully today?

MARKINGS & WAYPOINTS
Insights others have received as they have journeyed in hope

The following quote by Christian theologian Paul Tillich challenges us, in anticipation of the Kingdom of God, to live responsibly and redemptively in the here and now:

WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR US? "The goal of humankind is not progress toward a final stage of perfection; it is the creation of what is possible for us in each particular state of history. It is the struggle against the forces of evil, old ones and new ones, which arise in each period in a different way."

THY KINGDOM COME "There will be victories as well as defeats in these struggles. There will be progress and regressions. But every victory, every particular progress from injustice to more justice, from suffering to more happiness, from hostility to more peace, from separation to more unity anywhere among us, is a manifestation of the eternal in time and space. It is, in the language of the writers of the Old and New Testaments, the coming of the Kingdom of God. For the Kingdom of God does not come in one dramatic event sometime in the future. It is coming here and now in every act of love, in every manifestation of truth, in every moment of joy, in every experience of the holy.

OUR PRESENT STRUGGLE "The hope of the Kingdom of God is not so much the expectation of a perfect stage at the end of history… The hope of humankind lies in the here and now, whenever the eternal appeals in time and history. This hope is justified; for there is always a presence and a beginning of what is seriously hoped for."

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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