Generous Hope

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Generosity
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ (9/10)

Hey Fellow Pilgrims,

Today has one of the highest difficulty ratings through the 21 days. Why? Because we’re talking about generosity. But don’t quit...keep reading and see why this day may be the most crucial day of all in the 21 days. 

First, have you noticed how generosity is right in the middle of the Easter story? Look at the most famous passage in all of the Bible, John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Notice how generosity is embedded in the character of God and is central to the Easter message. Now, here’s a huge “aha!” moment for you in this adventure. Generosity is central to the Easter story, but is also unlocks how deeply we receive the message. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 6:38:

Give and it will be given to you…for with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

So let me ask you a question…Do you need more hope in your life? 

If so, the best thing you can do is receive God’s free gift of grace. Then the next step? Start sharing hope generously with others. Sometimes the best way to experience hope is to bring hope to others. If you’ve ever been on a mission trip then you know how much of a blessing being a blessing can be. 

So here’s your chance to put this into action. How can you bring hope with your generosity this Easter season? Here are four starter ideas:

1. Make a financial donation to a non-profit making an impact in our community.
2. Set up a recurring donation to the church to support our outreach and missions.
3. Bless a family in need - maybe a single mom, widow, or someone who lost their job.
4. Take those items you were about to sell on Facebook Marketplace and bless another family with them.

As you give hope, remember God has a way of bringing more hope to your heart. John Bunyan illustrated it best when he said, “There was a man, they called him mad. The more he gave, the more he had.”

Easter Invite

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Social
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️ (7/10)

Hey Fellow Travelers,

Have you taken a moment yet this year to reflect on the importance of Easter and the impact the message of Easter has on your life? It’s too amazing to keep to yourself, right? 

Today's challenge is all about inviting others to experience the hope of Easter in their life. So let's go ahead and share!

Step 1 - Post an Easter invite to your friends on social media. When you create your post answer these two questions: Why are you so excited to celebrate Easter? How could someone join you in celebrating with your church? 

Step 2 - Remember the three people we've been praying for? Shoot them a text invite. Here are some example scripts to get you started. Remember, they might say no, and that’s okay. “No” now doesn’t mean “no” forever. Plus, if we don’t ask at all, it's for sure a “no.” Step out in faith, and trust the Lord will guide your words. 

“Hey {FIRST_NAME}, how are things going?”
[RESPONSE]

“That’s great! Well, I just wanted to reach out and see if you had any plans to attend church on Easter Sunday.”

[IF RESPONSE IS “NO”]

“Well, I’d love for you to come with me to my church. It’s called [NAME OF CHURCH]. I think you’ll like it. We have

[NAME ELEMENT THAT WOULD RELATE TO THEM LIKE, GREAT MUSIC, RELATABLE PASTOR, SUNDAY BREAKFAST, ETC.]

[IF RESPONSE IS “YES” OR THEY AREN’T INTERESTED]
“No worries at all. I just wanted to throw out the opportunity. If you ever are looking for a church to visit, you’re always welcome to come with me. We’d love to have you.”

Keep it upbeat and relational. Don’t be afraid of a “no.” Again, this might plant a seed that will grow later. You got this!

Your Faith Story

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Social
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6/10)

Great Day Friends,

Have you ever watched a movie, then posted about it on Facebook? Or tried a new Amazon product and shared your experience? Have you posted a quick story of something that happened throughout your day?

Pretty simple, right? There’s a reason we call it social media - we use social media as a tool to connect with others and share our stories.

Today’s challenge: apply this same concept to sharing your faith story. Make a post about when you decided to follow Jesus and how that decision impacted your life (only 1-2 sentences).

I know that sharing your faith story on social media can sound intimidating. But here are 3 things to remember:

• You tell stories every day. Every time you tell a friend “the craziest thing happened the other day” or “let me tell you what happened at the grocery store,” that’s storytelling. You’re already a pro!
• It doesn’t have to be polished. In fact, it shouldn’t be polished. It should be your words, telling your story.
• There’s no right or wrong way to do this - because there’s not a cookie-cutter approach to telling your story! Remember, it’s the story of how God started working in your life. You’re the best one to tell this story because you were the one who witnessed it firsthand!

So jump on social media and make a short post about when you decided to follow Jesus and how it impacted your life. 

Not on social media? Ask God to give you an opportunity to share your story in conversation today, and when the opportunity comes, take it!

Bonus Step
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10)

Share your faith story over a selfie video. This video should be about 45-90 seconds long. You might think that’s too short, but the goal isn’t to share every detail, but just the most important ones. You want to be sure to include where you were in life when you came to faith in Jesus. Then share what made you want to make that decision. Were you invited to church? Were you in tough life circumstances and then turned to God? Were you a child or teen when you came to Christ? Then share where you are now, and why you love living for God and going to church.

 

Monday Encouragement

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Social
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/10)

Hey Friends,

People talk a lot about avoiding “mindless” scrolling. Today’s challenge (should you choose to accept it!) is to scroll “mindfully”. (This action step is perfect for a Monday!) Open your favorite social media app and start scrolling. As you scroll, take time to:

• Comment encouraging words
• Compliment people’s vacation photos
• Let people know “I’ve missed you! How have you been?”
• Tell people how adorable their pet photos are

And more! Remember anytime you are on social today your only goal is to encourage others. Scroll mindfully and use your scrolling to engage and bring encouragement! Ready, set… go!


P. S. Not on social media? Do this in everyday life! When you pass someone in the grocery store, compliment their hair or shoes. Co-worker gives you a call? Let them know why you appreciate them. Friend walks by with a dog? Greet the dog and ask your friend how the week’s been!  Remember that someone’s recently returned from a vacation and text them to ask how it went or to let them know that you’ve missed seeing them!  The possibilities are endless.

Let's Spread Hope Today

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Social
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/10)

Welcome to Wednesday,

Here’s an easy challenge for you! It will only take a few minutes and a few keystrokes.

Go to the church’s social platforms and use the posts to invite your friends to join you for Easter!   

https://www.facebook.com/Summitpointchurch

❤️ Give the posts some love (posts with more love reach more people)!

@ Tag a friend in the comments and let them know you'd love for them to join you.

🙌 Share the post on your social media page - add comments letting people know what you love about your church's Easter plans. 

Don’t use social media? No worries. You can send a text invite to a friend asking them to celebrate Easter with you.

 

Let's Spread Hope Today - 10 of 21 Days of Hope

Not So Random Kindness

Goal: Hope Through You
Theme: Generosity
Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6/10)

Happy Tuesday,

Today’s challenge is a 6/10.

It’s not hard, but it will require a little bit of thought and effort.

It’s this: perform at least one act of generous kindness.

Now, I know, the first thought that comes to your mind is probably, “Oh, they want me to pay for a stranger’s coffee at Starbucks.”

And you can, that’s fine.  

But in order to maximize the hope, I encourage you to think beyond that.  Take a couple of minutes and dream up some ways you can really care for someone- whether you choose to bless a stranger or someone in your life!

Can you say an encouraging word?  
Pray with someone who’s struggling?  
Buy them a gift card and write them a note?
Offer to buy dinner and bring it over, or watch the kids while they go out?
Go over and above for someone who’s normally overlooked, like a server at a restaurant?

Make your plan, carve out the time to give your money and/or attention, and let’s shower our community with not so random acts of generosity today!

 

Not So Random Kindness - 9 of 21 Days of Hope

Grow Where You Are Planted

             I absolutely love today's text, Jeremiah 29:7. In the O.T., God tells the prophet Jeremiah (AKA The Weeping Prophet) that Israel is going into captivity because of their transgressions against God. He instructs the prophet to tell the people that they need to settle into their new home. Essentially, flourish where God has planted you and placed you.

You are placed here for a reason by God. This could relate to where God planted you in your work, the church, or in the community where you live. Either way, God says to put down roots and seek the welfare of that community because, in so doing, you will likewise flourish and grow.

So often, we go about our lives without thinking about this idea of being placed somewhere by God, not by accident or misfortune.

Therefore, people will say.

• I don’t like my job… instead of God putting me here, perhaps I should seek the welfare of my employer, and God will bless me here.
• Maybe I should change churches… Instead, I think, God placed me here at this church so I can use my gifts and skills for God's glory and the church's good.
• So often, churches will seek a better place for their church… But could God use us as a light in the community where He has planted us?

When we seek our way, we reject God’s perfect plan for our life. The loss of welfare is for us as well as for those we could have blessed.

God calls each of us to selfless service according to His Will, rather than selfish, self-willed desires.

       I thank God for each of you and pray you will grow where you are planted, and our church will flourish as we seek the welfare of our community.

Day 35 – February 11 – Reaching the City
Pray for the welfare of our own city. Pray that the gospel will shine bright through you and our church in our city. Pray for the mayor of our city, and for other community leaders. Pray for their salvation and for God to give them wisdom for good leadership.

Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Pastor Charles