Give Us A King? | Learning Guide

November 20th, 2022

10:15m I Facebook Live & Zoom

Watch last week's message here

Worship Lyrics

Title

Give Us A King?

Text

1 Samuel 8:4-26, John 19:12-16, Philippians 2:1-11​

Introduction:

In the recent movie 300 Years of Longing, the incomparable Tilda Swinton plays a “narratologist” (a person who studies stories) who comes to possess a real live Jinn, or Genie. At one point, the Genie is tempting her to use up her last of three wishes so that he might be free. He slyly suggests she wish for immortality to which she responds, “Oh no you don’t. I know how that story ends.” We should all be so wise. Instead, most of us go through life wishing for things that, if granted, would utterly destroy us or others. The truth is, most of our “wishers” are broken.

We see this repeated throughout history and in the BIble. People wish for things they shouldn’t. The really crazy thing is, even though God is not a genie, we often are granted our wishes. What then? And how do we learn to wish correctly?

Let’s dig in this Christ the King Sunday and see what we can find.

Grace and peace y’all,

Laura Holland and the teaching team

Prayer/Practice:

Pray this: “Abba, teach me to love the Name that you have placed above every other name and to live into the Kingdom that Jesus embodies and rules. Amen.”

Big Idea:

Confessing Jesus as King means way more than we might think.

Take Away:

Jesus’ Kingship has multiple layers of meaning and is something we need to be constantly mindful of. It should help form and direct our lives in things large and intimate.

How does this fit with Belong, Become, Believe?

At Grace, our practice of radical hospitality is a reflection of our confession of Jesus as our rightful and true king, that we are all included in His Kingdom. Through this practice we become more and more free to live into this citizenship. This practice is formed by our confession of faith and informs it as well.

What's Next?

The First Sunday of Advent! Can you believe it?

Resources:

• Jesus: The Way and the Truth

Contact Grace Church NWA here