Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.
this week's next steps
I will step out of my comfort zone
I will invite 3 people to one of our Easter gatherings
Pray through the Lent season here and pray for our Venture Easter gatherings
This week's study
As we prepare for Easter as a church, it is important that we step out of our comfort zones. It is often easy to get stuck in the rhythms of doing the same things we always do. On Sunday mornings, we get up, have our coffees, finish our morning routines, and run out the door, hoping that no one forgot a shoe. Maybe you’re arriving early to serve, or maybe you’re coming into the second worship song after checking the kids into their classes. Regardless of what your Sunday morning looks like, it’s highly likely that you have a routine. The idea of inviting someone to join us in that routine can feel risky. It’s out of our comfort zone!
This week, we talked about Peter stepping out his comfort zone. Despite the waves that were rocking the boat, Peter was likely comfortable. He knew the other guys in the boat, and he was familiar with the sea. Getting out of the boat is totally unfamiliar territory! But he did it anyways. In Matthew chapter 14 verses 29-33, we see the progression of Peter stepping out of his comfort zone. He gets out of the boat and walks towards Jesus! Even though he feels afraid, questions things, and takes his eyes off Jesus, at the end of the ordeal, he says to Jesus, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Do you notice that Peter is the only one to get out of the boat? He is the only one to take that risk.
If you don’t step out of your comfort zone, who will? Who will invite your neighbor to church? Who will make themselves uncomfortable for the sake of the kingdom? Maybe you will go to a different service, or sit in a different row than normal, but there comes a point where we need to leverage our relationships for the cause of Christ! Over the next few weeks, take some touch cards, invite someone you know (or even someone you don’t!), sit with them at service, and maybe even grab coffee with them beforehand!
This week, we talked about Peter stepping out his comfort zone. Despite the waves that were rocking the boat, Peter was likely comfortable. He knew the other guys in the boat, and he was familiar with the sea. Getting out of the boat is totally unfamiliar territory! But he did it anyways. In Matthew chapter 14 verses 29-33, we see the progression of Peter stepping out of his comfort zone. He gets out of the boat and walks towards Jesus! Even though he feels afraid, questions things, and takes his eyes off Jesus, at the end of the ordeal, he says to Jesus, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Do you notice that Peter is the only one to get out of the boat? He is the only one to take that risk.
If you don’t step out of your comfort zone, who will? Who will invite your neighbor to church? Who will make themselves uncomfortable for the sake of the kingdom? Maybe you will go to a different service, or sit in a different row than normal, but there comes a point where we need to leverage our relationships for the cause of Christ! Over the next few weeks, take some touch cards, invite someone you know (or even someone you don’t!), sit with them at service, and maybe even grab coffee with them beforehand!
Questions to Consider:
- How is God calling you to step out of your comfort zone?
- What are you willing to give up to invite someone to an Easter gathering this year?
- Which three people will you invite?