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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Today’s Reflection

COVENANT DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS form the pillars the congregation needs to carry out its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The groups are where the “foundation of the apostles and prophets’ is formed and maintained (Ephesians 2:20).

While the groups are open to everyone in the congregation, they are for members who are ready to be accountable for living the Christian life. This is typically 15 to 20 percent of the congregation. …

Leaders in discipleship have always been a minority. Look at the ministry of Jesus. The Gospel writers tell us that large crowds of people came to him for many reasons. He had compassion on them and loved all of them. And he asked nothing of them. But he required much from the few he called to follow him: “Let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Their cross is obedience to Jesus’ commands to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” to “love your neighbor as yourself; and to love one another as I love you” (Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-35). Those few he called gave themselves wholly to Jesus and his way of life. The mission of Covenant Discipleship is to form “the apostles and prophets” who are the foundation of the church’s mission. They are the disciples who lead and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

– Steven W. Manskar
Disciples Making Disciples

From page 88 of Disciples Making Disciples: A Guide for Covenant Discipleship Groups & Class Leaders by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2016 Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Have you ever participated in a covenant discipleship group? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28, NRSV

This Week: pray for persons who are making life-changing decisions. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Joan of Arc (May 30).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted June 2, 2018 4:53 am

    I have not knowingly participated in a covenant discipleship group. I am thinking this might be similar to having an accountability partner? I do know of people who have accountability partners. I know with my two closest friends – I expect them to hold me accountable on a few things, but have never spoken specifically about being accountability partners. When something is weighing heavily on me…a behavior I am struggling with…I will ask one of them to hold me accountable when I slip into negative talk.
    Grateful for time last evening with one of those friends, dinner at a favorite Italian spot, got some mulch and a few last flowers, and ice cream. Began talking tentatively about a trip later in the summer, depending on how mom is doing. My friend told me I can’t put my summer on hold – I need to make plans – I need to be sure to take a break and get away…this is not selfish, but – rather – healthy.
    Julie – prayers for wisdom for you in your nearly impossible situation. I don’t even know what words to offer, other than keep praying to God for wisdom and discernment. I will continue to pray for your physical, mental and emotional safety.
    Andrea – glad things are a bit more settled with your daughter. May your trip be enjoyable.

  • robert moeller Posted June 2, 2018 5:07 am

    To the best of my knowledge I have not participated in a covenant discipleship group. Hope to attend an Emaus retreat and or a covenant discipleship study.

    Thankful for a new day and the possibility of many opportunities.

    Been up for a while, can go back to sleep, and post again.

  • Julie Posted June 2, 2018 7:34 am

    God please help me. Hold me in your arms, strengthening me and keeping me safe. This is what plays in a loop through my head constantly. I am a nervous wreck. I know I must seek legal council but have no idea where to turn to find a reputable lawyer. God help me I call out.
    Sorry, as you know I try to keep my personal issues to myself and only relate them when I am utterly overwhelmed and seek advice as well as solace. Sorry again and again.
    Prayers and blessings and thank you all

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 2, 2018 7:37 am

      Julie, i am keeping you in prayer.

      May God help you through this difficult problem and grant you strength and grace

      Blessings

    • Gail Churchill Posted June 2, 2018 12:21 pm

      Ask friends, acquaintances if they know a lawyer, or if they know someone who might know a lawyer they’ve used or can recommend. Call the local or state bar and ask for a referral to a family lawyer.

  • Lou Posted June 2, 2018 10:17 pm

    Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind- love one another as I have loved you…
    Blessings to all this night
    Prayers for Connie who we haven’t heard from all week. Prayers for Marcy and Rusty and Louise
    And for all the faithful contributors here.
    God’s peace and love be with you all.

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