We're continuing our series called Being APEST.
Matt is speaking on the role of the "Shepherd".
​
Main Verse:
Ephesians 4: 11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. Other than the paid pastor position, what roles might someone with a Shepherd gifting do particularly well in the church.
2. Given what we have been talking about (what makes up a Shepherd), when was a time that you took on the role of a shepherd? Explain.
3. Given the strengths, community, and personal focus of the Shepherd, how might a Shepherd go about creating community during Covid19?

Podcast: https://podpoint.com/converge-winnipeg/20210424-shepherding-the-shepherds

Right from the very beginning the work of God’s people confused and amazed those who observed from the outside. 

Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
 
Here is the scenario – after an 18 month worldwide health crisis, a small community focused church is wanting to rebuild the sense of community that has been lost through the difficulties of the last year and a half.  
Based on what you know of the initiator – apostolic giftings.  How would someone with these giftings propose to address rebuilding the sense and practices of community.  Assuming that health restrictions are no longer in place.
Follow Up question – How could those with the other giftings ensure that these initiatives truly rebuild the community to carry out the mission of Christ.  Use the giftings that you think apply to you.  If you are the intuitive one, how does your intuition/hearing from God help the community.  If you are the inviter, what would you need to know in order to invite others.  If you are the includer, what needs to happen to rebuild a community or caring and inclusion.  If you are the information person, what do you need to know and what do we need to communicate about practicing meaningful community together.
​
Listen to the Podcast
https://podpoint.com/converge-winnipeg/20210417-the-initiator-the-apostle

Easter recognizes that time when through his death, resurrection and accension to heaven that Jesus broke the oppressive power that sin and death held over all people and began the restoration of his kingdom. 

Jesus Has Risen
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. 
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does the story of the Resurrection of Jesus mean to you?
2. Why do you think that the leaders tried to cover up the story of Jesus Resurrection?
3. Why do you think that Jesus last instructions to his followers was to spread the Good News of Salvation?

Listen to Podcast of Message - https://podpoint.com/converge-winnipeg/20210403-he-is-risen

Listen Here: https://youtu.be/1T6du9dmjGI
Matthew 21:1-11
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, two saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your King is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."
Questions:

1. Why do you think Matthew referencing these portions of scripture?
2. With Jesus coming into the city, Matthew draws parallels from other stories for his readers to conclude. But what do you think was going through the heads of the people welcoming Jesus into the city?
3. What is the role of King in the biblical text?

RESOURCES
The Day the Revolution Began - N.T. Wright
The Bible Project
The Skeltons in Gods Closest - Joshua Ryan Butler God Has A Name - John Mark Comer

Listen here: https://podpoint.com/converge-winnipeg/20210320-silence-and-solitude

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
 
Discussion Questions
What makes someone trustworthy?
How do you build trust with someone?
On a scale of 1-10 how easy do you find helpful in building intimacy with God?
Why do you think that is?
Is there a discipline or practice that you would like to explore?
Where am I tempted not to trust God?

​