"His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So, when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, 'Son, why have You done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously.' And He said to them, 'Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?' But they did not understand
the statement which He spoke to them." Luke 2:41-49 (NKJV)
"Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Luke 2:49 (NKJV)
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35 (NLT) "Do to others as you would like them to do to you." Luke 6:31 (NLT)
HOW TO LIVE AN "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" LIFE
- OPEN MY EYES
"Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own." Philippians 2:3-4 (GN)
ACTION PLAN: STEP ONE: Go for a walk and ask the Lord to give you his eyes to see the people around you. They may be your neighbors, people you know, or strangers. Then ask him to help you see their physical, emotional, or spiritual needs.
- OPEN MY HEART
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heartagainst him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:17 (ESV)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN: STEP TWO: If God reveals their physical need to you, ask yourself if you have the resources to meet that need. Is it an elderly neighbor who struggles with taking out their trash? A lawn that needs mowing? A car in need of a new tire? Have you seen the same thing before and never acted? Ask the Lord to give you his love for them to have the desire to help them. If God reveals an emotional need ask yourself how you can reach out to them. And since we all have spiritual needs, you can pray for them.
- OPEN MY HANDS"
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do thegood things he planned for us long ago."Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
ACTION PLAN: STEP THREE: Prayerfully consider if there is a way that you could be the hands and feet of Jesus to help meet their need. Take out that neighbor's trash, or mow that lawn, or buy a new tire. If God reveals an emotional need ask yourself how you can reach out to them. And since we all have spiritual needs, you can pray for them. If God doesn't reveal a specific need to you, then go tohttp://www.saddleback.com/carewhere you can find many ministries where you have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving in a care ministry of Saddleback Church.
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Because of your faithful generosity, we have been able to provide food and supplies to over 600,000 people in Southern California during this COVID crisis. Give at saddleback.com/give.
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we have heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000 or email smallgroup@saddleback.com.
To be baptized, email MYBAPTISM@saddleback.com.
Listen to our "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" podcasts from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn
