E - eat together (Part 4)

Church is not just a weekend thing. God is calling us to be the church Monday through Saturday, not only to attend church on Sunday. Yes, he is calling us to gather and worship Him and pray, seeking his guidance and instruction. But, we are invited to engage others in intentional disciple-making relationships.

I get it; I may have just lost you with the word disciple-making. There are so many emotions that swirl around the idea that we are all called to make disciples. But what If I told you it wasn’t as ominous or complicated as it feels? What if I told you it was as easy as B.L.E.S.S.?

So, what does this look like?

B - begin with prayer. Who are you praying for today? (Read More)
L - listen with care to their story. (Read More)
E - eat together - share a meal or coffee.

Opening and sharing a table is a powerful thing. Why? Because it reveals that you are not just inviting them into your life, you are accepting them. There is something deeply personal about sharing a meal that engages deeper relationships allowing for “real” conversation.

The goal when we share a meal is to listen. We listen to discover who they are, connect at a deeper level, find new ways to pray for them and disrupt the feelings of isolation by seeking engagement.

I am reminded of the beautiful verse in Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.”

When we share our table, we are merely mimicking what Jesus has offered us. We are following his example and doing life together to build trust and utilize a connection to propel us into a more in-depth and meaningful conversation.

Jesus did this we Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus was so despised in the community that when Jesus walked by, he was given no place along the path to see him. So, he climbed a tree.

Here is a remarkable part of the story. Jesus noticed him and joined him in a meal. This shared meal was so life-changing that Zacchaeus, a once greedy, thieving tax collector, gives half of his wealth to the poor and repays anyone he defrauded fourfold.

Jesus, after hearing this says to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house…for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

I don't want to be over dramatic, but in a world that is feeling isolated, struggling to connect and longing to belong, a shared meal can be transformative and at the very least drive connection.

It is this connection that is essential for us to accomplish our God given disciple making directive. This connection is genuine and life giving to all who participate.

So, who can you share a meal with this week?