Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
THANK. Write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
WORSHIP. Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is Ephesians 4:4-6. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from Romans 9:6-8, 14-26, & 30-33 (Go Deeper: Hebrews 11, 2 Timothy 2:19 & 1 Peter 2:9-10)
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Dave…
”We must cease to think of the church as a gathering of institutions and organizations, and we must get back this notion that we are the people of God.” - D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
The church is a community of people who are followers of Jesus Christ. It is unlike any other institution, club, meeting, network, or affiliation. The church is the new covenant people of God, created by the gospel. The church is visible, global, and local. It is all those throughout the world who confess that Jesus is Lord. It includes believers from a broad spectrum of denominations and traditions, from diverse nationalities, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, with different worship practices. It is not a building or specific location, but a worldwide collection of smaller groups of believers in this day and age. The Church is also invisible and historic. It is all people in all places throughout time who are united in love for God, relationship with Christ, and life in the Spirit. It includes believers who have already died and those who are still living today. And finally, the Church is holy and imperfect. The Church, imperfect but made beautiful in Christ, is set apart as a gift to both followers of Jesus and those who don’t yet know Him. It consists of flawed, sinful people who have fallen and will continue to fall short as we are made more and more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be studying the nature, purpose, mission and function of the Christian Church. We’ll read metaphors that help us better understand what it means to be part of the Church, practices that shape the Church, and what it looks like to continue the mission of Christ as His body on earth. Throughout, we’ll see how our identity shapes our behavior and how our behavior, in turn, demonstrates and shapes our identity. As you read today, remember your identity! God’s people are all those who know Him by faith.
LIVE. One practical way to understand and apply the Bible is the SOS method. Ask…
S: What does this passage say about God, and what does it say about me?
O: What am I being invited to obey?
S: What can I share with those around me?
PRAY. Pray for yourself, a family member, a lifegroup/church friend, someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and the nations. Pick one each day or pray through them all every day.
CONNECT. Have a question, prayer request, or story? Let us know here or reply via text.
SHARE. Invite a friend to read the Focus with you! Just text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Run the race with endurance today, and stay focused on Jesus.
Make it a Great One!