we commit to a journey of transformation together toward Jesus for the glory of God.

Acts 2:42 - "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (ESV)

Use this reading plan as part of your daily pursuit of fellowship with Jesus as well as sharing the journey with your house church family.

Week 4: The Product of Jesus

2/22/21-2/28/21

*Because of the storm in Houston we are re-doing Week 4 reading plan but we have updated the Psalms

The foundation of our identity in Jesus, being on mission for Jesus, and using our gifts for Jesus leads us to pursue life and mission together as a family together as a network of House Churches. Summarized as: Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, Do it Together.

DAY 1: The Vine and the Branches

Read: Psalm 36, John 15

Reflect: Jesus, in John 15 teaches us that the fruit of our lives flows out of our abiding in Him and obedience to Him. What is the relationship between abiding and obedience? What ways do you feel close to God? What patterns of your life have you/do you need to establish to make time to abide? What type of fruit do you produce? Why is the fruit we produce as Christ-followers important? What can you do to love (verses 12&13) others in your House Church and your neighbors?

Pray: Pray for an abiding presence with God. Pray for opportunities to love others (including those in your House Church) well. Pray that you stay rooted in the Word and God’s truth when facing opposition from the world. Pray and look to Jesus as your example of how to love others well.

DAY 2: Fruits of the Spirit

Read: Psalm 37, Galatians 5:16-6:10

Reflect: Verses 24 & 25 are the key to protect you from reading legalism into this teaching from Galatians 5:16-26 where living by the Spirit is nothing more than being good at keeping certain rules. How do verses 24 & 25 do that? See that walking by the Spirit starts with you belonging to Jesus by grace through your faith in Him. How does this empower and liberate your life of faith in Jesus? What fruits of the Spirit would you say are consistently present in your life? What fruits of the spirit would you prayerfully desire and pursue to see God, in His grace, increase in your life? One of the most impactful ways to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in you is to practice them. Where do you have opportunity to express those fruits you desire to see grow?

Pray: Pray for the work of your life of faith unto God to be rooted in His love for you shown in Christ, your love for Him, and the reality that you are a new creation in Christ. Pray for you to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit as you are transformed by His grace. Pray that the Lord would enable the fruit of your life to minister to the needs of those around you.

DAY 3: Putting on and Taking Off

Read: Psalm 38, Colossians 3:1-17

Reflect: Do you have your mind set to the eternal realities of your life in Christ (things above) or is your mind set on your temporary circumstances and lesser truths (things of earth)? What sins/old ways do you need to put to death/take 0ff? How can others in your House Church come alongside you? What are the things you need to put on? Is there an area/person in your life who you need to ask for forgiveness? Is there an area/person in your life who you need to forgive?

Pray: Take a moment be still before our Holy God and revel in the reality that you have been raised with Christ (v.1) if you have confessed and believed on Him. Ask God to reveal any present sinfulness in your life and pray and confess those to God. Ask God to show you a trusted brother or sister in Christ that you can share the opportunity of confession and repentance before God and pray for vulnerability to let them in. Surrender and ask God to shape your heart to, above all else, long for the things we are told to put on in these verses. Pray that you extend the same love, grace, and forgiveness that God has shown you to others.

DAY 4: Prayer of Faith

Read: Psalm 39, James 5:7-20

Reflect: Vs. 7 says, “Be patient.” Is there is something specific you are waiting for God to resolve? How does the analogy of the farmer waiting for their crops to yield fruit instruct your heart on how you should wait on the Lord? How has God extended His compassion and mercy to you? Walk through the instruction from James in vs. 13-20 and pray for specific people that come to mind as you do.

Pray: Pray for God to grow your trust in Him knowing that He will provide for all your needs today as well your need for your eternal hope. Make a confession and proclamation of trusting that His plans and understandings are greater than your own and always for your good and His glory. Pray for steadfastness and peace that comes from God. Pray for a growing heart of prayer.

DAY 5: Life in a House Church

Read: Psalm 40, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:19-25

Reflect: How can you personally live out the life of a Christian laid out in these verses (be specific)? How do you incorporate the elements of the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer beyond the Sunday House Church Gathering? These passages shows us that we can live in deep, Gospel-centered relationships as a church while also making a deep Gospel impact on our communities. How does that reality relate to your: life & community, the difficulty of having enough time, and how you go about engaging the world for Jesus?

Pray: Pray for how your House Church can live these same things out, together. Pray for unity in your House Church. Pray for opportunities for everyone to use their gifts. Pray for your House Church to be a safe place for Christians to grow in their faith, and seekers to taste and experience Jesus. Pray for the person and purpose of Jesus to overtake all of who we are and what we do. Pray for the other House Churches in The Bridge HTX Collective. Pray that they will also embody these things.