Big Idea: Kinship means people who are not biologically family are more than merely tolerated or even cared for but embraced wholly and entirely as brothers and sisters.
Application: One act of service to someone in need.
- In the book of Acts, a synonym for “the poor” is the phrase “those who had need” or “the needy.” In the first century, this would have been: widows, orphans, or those in prison.
- In our time, this could be: kids in the foster care system, the elderly living on a fixed income, a single parent, the sick, those dying in hospice, those in prison, or refugees. The reality is all around, often hiding in plain sight, are people who are in need. This week, go serve them.
You can do this through one of two avenues:
- Either through volunteering at a local nonprofit.
- Or go directly to someone you have a relational connection to.
Keep in mind that kinship is often cultivated slowly through regularly serving the same need, among common people, so consider making a commitment to weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service as you’re able.
As you serve, pay attention to your heart’s desire to be seen. Talk to God about it. Let God free your heart from the approval or disapproval of others.
Each week of this series, find helpful resources from Practicing the Way on service. Continue praying through this series and use these resources to help you.
Read
- The Active Life by Parker Palmer (Chapters 07-08)
Listen
- Rule of Life Podcast on Service (Episode 04)
