Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Empowering God, in Jesus you revealed your mission of life and love for your people. In Christ’s departure, remind us that we have been equipped by your Spirit to continue sharing in that mission throughout the world. Embolden us to step into your story of good news for the world through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Reading: Acts 1:1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Who doesn’t get excited about a good sequel? When a story captures you with their characters and world building, sometimes all you want is to steep in it a little bit longer. Whether its film, books, or even a good video game, there are plenty of stories that warrant greater exploration. Some of the best cultural milestones have spawned from the sequels to great hits. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Godfather, heck! Even Shrek garners warranted screen time with multiple subsequent iterations! Sequels give us the chance to get back into the story and explore more of what the creative worlds have to offer while exploring new developments and plot twists along the way. When we reach the book of Acts, then, we do well to remember that this is actually a great sequel! After Luke has told us all about the deeds, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus in his first book, now he is following up with a well-warranted sequel! Here, we as the audience will get to bear witness to what will happen next; what will this Jesus’ ministry look like ahead? Where will God’s mission take him? What will happen with the disciples in the story? The only catch, we quickly learn, is that this sequel is heading in new directions. Here at the start of Acts we learn that Jesus as our main protagonist is taking his exit to give way to other characters. In his departure, though, he equips his followers with the Spirit they will need to carry on. To be certain, the sequel of Acts will also be filled with healing and power and preaching and teaching, just as that first Gospel was; this time, though, it will be those Jesus leaves behind and equips who will carry out the story. As we look to Pentecost this weekend, then, we are reminded that this sequel story is ours as well. As Jesus takes his physical exit to give space for the disciples to carry on his work, so too does he leave it up to us to keep on living this sequel. Just as the disciples await the arrival of the Spirit to empower their mission, we have been equipped to engage in Jesus’ continued legacy. Now it’s our turn to step into the frame and carry on the healing, liberation, and proclamation that Jesus began for the sake of the world! So, let’s get to it. ~ Justin Lingenfelter
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