🔴 A reason to hope! [Live]
TLDRThe speaker shares her personal experience of feeling isolated during winter with a newborn and the challenges of the outside world, leading to a desire to serve and connect with others. She discusses the importance of serving in the community, drawing on her childhood memories and the teachings of Jesus and Paul. The speaker encourages her audience to find ways to serve and show love, sharing examples of service and emphasizing the joy and fulfillment found in helping others.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Excitement for a fall baby and the prospect of enjoying outdoor activities during spring and summer.
- 🏠 Challenges of spending a lot of time indoors during winter, especially with a baby who refuses to nap.
- 🌐 Feelings of stir-craziness and the impact of negative news events on mental well-being.
- 🤔 Reflection on the state of the world and concerns about the future, particularly when holding a new baby.
- 💡 The realization of the importance of getting out of the house and serving others to feel more hopeful and connected.
- 🌱 The desire to intentionally find ways to serve and connect with people in May, as a way to combat feelings of hopelessness.
- 📈 The correlation between serving others and increased happiness, as mentioned in a world happiness report.
- 🙏 The biblical perspective on serving others as an act of worship and communion with God, rather than seeking personal happiness.
- 📚 Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 3 about the importance of humility, service, and recognizing God's growth in the believers.
- 🌻 The invitation to see ourselves as day laborers for Christ, serving with compassion and love in a hurting world.
- 💭 Encouragement to share ideas for small, free ways to serve others, especially within our local communities and families.
Q & A
Why was the speaker excited to have a fall baby?
-The speaker was excited to have a fall baby because all of her previous children were born in spring or summer, which meant spending a lot of time indoors. She was looking forward to having a baby in the fall so that when the baby is six months old, they could go outside and enjoy the spring and summer months.
What challenges did the speaker face during the winter with her fourth child?
-The speaker faced the challenge of spending a lot of time indoors during the dark and dreary winter months. Additionally, her fourth child refused to nap, which meant she spent even more time inside, often with the lights off and a noise maker on, trying to help the baby sleep.
What events contributed to the speaker's feelings of being stir crazy and the perception of the world as a scary place?
-The speaker's feelings of being stir crazy were exacerbated by events such as a shooting incident during the Super Bowl parade, armed robberies close to her home, and the tragic killing of two police officers and a first responder in her community. These events, combined with the general negativity on social media and news, contributed to her perception of the world as a scary place.
What did the speaker realize she needed to do in response to her feelings and the state of the world?
-The speaker realized that she needed to get out of the house, connect with people, get some vitamin D and sunlight, and serve her community. She believed that by being proactive and contributing positively to the world, she would start to feel more hopeful.
How did the speaker's past experience with serving others impact her perspective?
-The speaker's past experience with serving others, such as visiting nursing homes and playing Bingo with the residents, showed her that these acts of service not only brought joy to others but also increased her own happiness and sense of purpose. This led her to want to continue serving and encouraging others to do the same.
What was the average perception of the world among the speaker's Bible study audience?
-The average perception of the world among the speaker's Bible study audience was a 3.5 on a scale of one to five, with one being an amazing world and five being a terrifying world where one wouldn't even leave their house.
How did Paul describe his role and the role of Apollos in 1 Corinthians 3:1-9?
-In 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Paul described his role and the role of Apollos as mere servants or day laborers in the field of the Lord. He emphasized that neither he nor Apollos were important in themselves, but rather, they were tools used by God to plant and water the seeds of faith. It is God who makes things grow, and both Paul and Apollos would be rewarded according to their own labor.
What message did the speaker share about serving others and finding fullness of life?
-The speaker shared the message that serving others in line with the kingdom of Christ and the order established by Jesus can lead to a fullness of life. She suggested that when we serve, we find joy and fulfillment because it is part of our design as human beings made in the image of a serving God.
What are some of the small, free ways to serve others that were suggested by the speaker and her audience?
-Some of the small, free ways to serve others suggested by the speaker and her audience include having tea with elderly neighbors, praying with coworkers, doing yard or housework for those in need, sending notes to friends, buying coffee or meals for strangers, watching someone's kids for free, smiling at everyone, holding doors open, helping someone with their groceries, complimenting strangers, paying it backwards at a drive-thru, and volunteering in various community settings.
How did the speaker conclude her message with a prayer?
-The speaker concluded her message with a prayer thanking God for the strength, grace, and wisdom provided to them for the tasks they've been called to. She prayed for discernment to know their roles in serving, and asked God to lead them in their service, reminding them that their efforts are for God's glory and for the benefit of His people. She also prayed for each one of them to be blessed as they strive to be more like Jesus.
Outlines
🌸 Excitement for a Fall Baby
The speaker shares her experience of having a baby in the fall after previously having children only in the spring or summer. She initially looks forward to being indoors during the winter with her newborn, but soon realizes the challenges of staying cooped up in the dark winter months, especially when her fourth child refuses to nap. She discusses her feelings of stir-craziness and the impact of negative news events on her mental state, leading to a desire to get out of the house and connect with others.
🤱 Balancing New Motherhood and Community
The speaker reflects on her personal journey as a new mother during challenging times, both in her home environment and in the broader world. She recalls past experiences of community service, such as visiting nursing homes and engaging in various activities with her 4-H group. She emphasizes the importance of serving others, even in small ways, to increase happiness and contribute positively to the world. The speaker also references a world happiness report and discusses the teachings of Paul in 1 Corinthians, highlighting the concept of serving others humbly as an essential part of Christian faith and personal fulfillment.
🙏 Embracing Service as a Spiritual Calling
The speaker delves into the biblical perspective on service, using the example of Paul and Apollos from 1 Corinthians 3. She explains how Paul saw himself and Apollos as mere servants, focusing on their role as laborers in God's field. The speaker encourages the audience to view themselves in a similar light, as day laborers for Christ, and to look for ways to show compassion and serve others, especially those who are suffering or in need. She also touches on the idea that service is not just about self-sacrifice but can lead to a more fulfilling life in line with the teachings of Jesus.
💡 Sharing Ideas for Community Service
The speaker concludes her discussion by inviting the audience to share their ideas for community service and to reflect on their past experiences with serving others. She provides a platform for people to suggest various acts of service, such as having tea with elderly neighbors, helping with yard work, sending notes of encouragement, and performing random acts of kindness. The speaker emphasizes the importance of these small acts in strengthening community bonds and contributing to a more hopeful and positive outlook on the future.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bible study
💡Fall baby
💡Sleep training
💡Community safety
💡Social media
💡Hope
💡Service
💡Vitamin D
💡First Corinthians
💡Mother Teresa
💡Random acts of service
Highlights
Excitement for having a fall baby and the desire to enjoy outdoor activities with the child.
Challenge of spending a lot of time indoors during winter with a baby who refused to nap.
Feeling stir crazy and the impact of dark winter months on mental health.
The emergence of negative news events, such as a shooting and armed robberies, affecting the sense of safety.
The realization of the need to get out of the house and seek connection with others.
The importance of serving and contributing positively to the world.
Personal perception of the world's state and the invitation to rate it on a scale of one to five.
The example of Jesus entering a scary world and offering hope.
The plan to intentionally find ways to serve and connect with people in May.
Recollections of serving in the past, such as visiting nursing homes and bringing joy through simple acts.
The significance of serving once a week to increase happiness, according to the world happiness report.
Paul's approach to serving others in 1 Corinthians and the importance of humility.
The concept of seeing oneself as a day laborer for Christ and serving others without seeking status or reward.
The idea of finding fullness of life through service and following Jesus's example.
Sharing ideas for small acts of service, such as having tea with elderly neighbors and helping with yard work.
The impact of service on personal happiness and the outlook for the future.
The call to action for the month of May to commit to serving others and sharing ideas for how to do so.
Closing prayer expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and asking for guidance in discernment and compassion.
