There is Real Hope
– A Way Through the Fog
Building honest, authentic, transparent relationships will lead us to more fulfillment in our own lives and a more effective response to the Great Commission!
This is our signature series of teachings that will lead you to an exciting and encouraging journey of discovery of your own heart. It will also lead you to see others differently. Do you want to be Followers of Jesus Christ who are impacting our communities with the gospel?
It is my hope to see every Follower of Jesus Christ as a vessel of salvation and restoration to those God sends them to. (Matt. 28:19)(Gal 6:1)
1. Does sharing the gospel with others scare you?
2. When you think of talking about your faith do you want to run away?
3. Are some of your family relationships so tangled up that you can’t imagine talking with them about Jesus?
4. Is your schedule so full that you can’t take any more time out for those that seem to be lost?
5. Can you picture yourself building friendships with people who at one time were enemies to your walk with Christ?
6. Do you think sharing the gospel requires a lot of Scripture memorization and training in a specific program of evangelism?
Like me, have you more often thought the gospel was for those called into evangelism? The Journey of Thomas will help to remove some roadblocks, and create an excitement to invest yourself into the lives around you
Getting Started
Please take a look at this six minute video where John Smid shares his heart about The Journey of Thomas and a behind the scene’s look at how it came about.
John Smid Promo of The Journey of Thomas and Grace Rivers from John Smid on Vimeo.
Thomas was looking for direction. Jesus gave a simple pathway verse – the Way, the Truth, and the Life
He described Himself – but is there a practical pattern in the words Jesus chose to describe Himself? We can all relate to Thomas’ questioning about how to get somewhere that we aren’t fully sure we know we are going. We haven’t heard a whole lot of teaching on how to develop and maintain healthy relationships with those around us.
Whether we know it or not, we are all in a process of trial and error with those near us and often it looks more like an error than success. I wonder how many of us are experiencing a sense of failure right now with someone we love.
You may not know where you are going or how to get there just like Thomas!
Start the Journey for yourself!
There are eleven sessions. You can click on any one of sessions individually to get a printable PDF file.
Overview
John 14:5-6
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Feelings – Should we live by them?
John 11:35
Jesus wept
In order to better understand others, it is very important to have a better understanding of ourselves. Our feelings come from our soul. If I am more in touch with what I am feeling, I will relate better with others.
Building Healthy Safe Relationships
John chapter 15 verse 15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.
I have taken the opportunity to begin this series on relationships with a foundational message. In subsequent lessons we will learn more specific practical skills that will help to undergird this chapter.
Honesty
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
In the Grace Rivers’ Core Values we begin with Honesty. This kind of honesty stems first of all from a willingness to be honest with yourself. It is important to develop the skill of self evaluation. Why do I do what I do? Where do my reactions come from? What were the motives that underlie my actions today? Why did I shut down yesterday when I was talking with my wife? Why did I walk away from my husband when he began to discuss our daughter?
Authenticity
Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
The challenge to a discovery of authenticity is that it requires of us to know ourselves deeply. To live out an authentic life means that we must be willing to live as who we were created to be.
Transparency
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
To be transparent means to be free of pretense or deception. As Christians we are often accused of being arrogant, or plastic. We have been called hypocrites. We are sometimes accused of being unrealistic and fake. Transparency renders such accusations without merit. Living a life of transparency is one “clear” enough that God can write on our lives His message, but to have enough substance to be the vehicle that He wants to use.
Active Participation
Prov. 18:13
He who answers before listening that is his folly and his shame.
Listening to another person’s heart can be one of the most affirming actions we can enter into. Hearing the heart cries, the joys, the desires of another person can build a rich deep relationship and create a connection that will promote a stronger desire to spend time with one another.
Non Judgmental
Matthew 7:1-5
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
When I look into someone’s life with sincerity-listening to their heart with mine-it is very difficult to be judgmental about their choices or circumstances. However, when I put myself in the role of detached instruction I likely devalue their life experience or perspectives on challenging issues.
Protect Confidentiality
Prov. 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
There isn’t a better way to ruin the health of a relationship or the unity of a group of people than to talk about things we shouldn’t. I have added the word “protect” to the title of this topic because it brings to my mind the nature of my responsibility, which is essentially to protect someone’s “nakedness” in life.
Sensitivity
Prov. 15:23
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word
Prov. 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones
It is so important when showing the love of Christ to others that we develop an awareness of how much people need to know they are loved and cared for. Affirmation is so important and it is much more significant when it is attached to something specific.
Respect
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Respect is a practical way of esteeming actual value. When we were created, God spoke into our lives a value that is not negotiable no matter what the world says or does. Just because we were treated poorly or we’ve acted poorly this did not remove or change our actual value. By respecting others we are communicating to them that they are worth whatever God says they are without regard to what they’ve done or based upon the world’s perspective.
Honor
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
One meaning of the word Honor is to engage in “public esteem”. To honor someone is to reflect respect and value to them in a public fashion. In the King James Version it says “in honor, preferring one another”.
A New Life – Author’s Story
I thought it might be helpful to write the story of how I came to write the Journey of Thomas series and what my overall goals are for this series. You can read my journey to The Journey of Thomas!
Our Own Journey
Where is your mission field? Are you feeling a burden for a place where you might be called by God? Read through “Our Own Journey” to think about where God may be calling you.
