Recommended Reading for September 14 – 20
Sermon Series: 30 Years: Transforming Lives and Transforming Communities Week 2Sermon Title: Doing Life Together delivered on September 14, 2025
Day 1 READ: John 17. What was the context of Jesus’ prayer? What are the big themes we see in His high priestly prayer (For Himself, His Disciples, for Us)? How can our church live out Jesus’ desire for unity in a fresh new way? What is your part in that?
Day 1 PRAY: Take a moment to pause and pray, thanking Jesus for His prayer for you. That He loved you so much, He would take time in one of His final prayers to the Father that He thought of you and prayed for you! Ask Him to show you one way that can help strengthen the bonds of unity within our church. Commit to follow through on His leading.
Day 2 READ: Acts 2:42-47. How did the early church live out Jesus’ prayer and vision for His church? What were some of the elements of living out as one? How does Shoreline Church help foster the same sense of unity today? How are you engaged in these different areas within the church consistently?
Day 2 PRAY: Write down the different areas that you observe in the early church. For each area, invite God to show you how you might be more engaged and more consistent within Shoreline (or your home church). Commit to taking one step to be more engaged and consistent this week.
Day 3 READ: Philippians 3:7-14. How seriously did the Apostle Paul take knowing Christ and growing in intimacy with Him? What are the things that could hold people back from knowing Jesus personally and intimately? What things in your life might be challenging His priority in your life? What is one thing you could do differently today that would help foster greater closeness with Jesus?
Day 3 PRAY: Seek time and space to be alone with Jesus today. Ask Him to draw you closer to Him and rest in His promises. Commit to faking one step today to help you draw nearer to Jesus on a daily basis.
Day 4 READ: John 15. How vital is connectedness to Jesus? What is the correlation between a deep connection with Jesus and bearing fruit that lasts? How important is loving others within the church and building connections together? What do you think holds most people back from drawing closer together with others in the church?
Day 4 PRAY: Thank Jesus for the gift of His church and the love that His church displays for Him (Worship), for each other (Fellowship), and for the world (Outreach). Ask Him to show you some practical ways you could help foster greater love for others within the church. Commit to taking one step of faith today to live this out.
Day 5 READ: Hebrews 10:19-25. What words come to you as you reflect on these verses? What does the phrase spur on one another imply? What is the danger of believers “giving up meeting together”? How has the modern church moved away from these exhortations from God’s Word?
Day 5 PRAY: Pause and thank Jesus for the brothers and sisters in Christ who have helped spur you on and encourage your faith. Invite God to show you how you could encourage one person today. Commit to send a note, text, or share in person a word of encouragement to that person.
Memorize and Reflect
Acts 2:42-44
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.