ZPC Hope Lives

Week 5: Be The Change

2008-09-09T14:14:00.004-04:00

Week 5 Introduction by Amber VanSchooneveld
I love this verse: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10).
It can be so easy to worry about how any one of us can make a difference in the world. How comforting to know that God has already prepared good works for us in advance. He doesn't call any one individual to change or save the whole world. But he has prepared works for you--ways in which you can be his hands in this hurting world. We're not left alone to figure it out for ourselves because we're doing his works!
Reflect this week on how God has specifically made you and in what specific ways he might just have up his sleeves to use you in his world!

Week 4: Prayer

2008-09-02T14:41:00.001-04:00

Week 4 Introduction by Amber VanSchooneveld

A little poor kid in a country in some corner of the world we've never heard of, like Burkina Faso, could seem like one of the least powerful people on earth. He has no voice or power or influence in this world.

Not so with our God! Those who seem to be the least important and weakest in this world are of such value to him. I feel so honored that the weapon he gives to those so close to his heart, the weapon he says can demolish strongholds is the same one that I can wield to cry out on the behalf.

Week 3: Understanding Poverty

2008-08-25T11:08:00.003-04:00

Week 3 Introduction by Amber Van Schooneveld
God doesn't ask us to have a Ph.D. in poverty before we can reach out to help others. Phew! He's gracious enough to use any one of us to serve him. But understanding what poverty is and how it affects a person can be key in determining how we want to respond to the need we see around us. One of the biggest things that I've learned about poverty isn't some abstract academic concept or anything to do about statistics. It's about people. Instead of getting bogged down in all the numbers and theories, remember, poverty is about people who are suffering. People whom God loves, and people whom God calls us to love too!

Week 2: God Is Not Silent

2008-08-17T10:15:00.001-04:00

Week 2 Introduction by Amber VanSchooneveld

Opening up a newspaper or turning on the evening news can be like entering a war zone--each day we're bombarded with the needs and issues in this world. It's easy to feel a bit overwhelmed.

But as in all aspects of our lives, God hasn't left us alone and without a guide to help us step through the landminds we come across. The Bible is just packed with verses that reveal God's heart for those in need and on the margins of society, and how he wants us to respond.

This week really immerse yourself in learning more about God's incredible character--what his heart is for this world around us, and how we can respond to his calling on us.

Week 1: Poverty of the Heart

2008-08-10T20:09:00.004-04:00

Week 1 introduction by Amber Van Schooneveld:

"Most people and most Christians I know care about the poor. They care about the issues facing this world, and know that God wants them to be a part of helping. But I also know that so many of us can get, well, stuck. So many things can get us stuck in inaction--feeling overwhelmed at how huge the problems are, not knowing how to respond in a way that will actually make a difference, not knowing whom to trust, and, sadly, buying into some of the lies of our culture.

This week reflect on what has gotten you stuck in the past. What has stopped you from responding when you hear about the needs in the world? For me, I can get stuck in the lies that I'm just barely getting by myself, and that I really need to take care of myself first.

This is a journey of restoration, because I think God wants to restore not only those around the world who are hurting and in need, but also us here in America. He wants to restore our hearts to be like Jesus--completely given to loving and serving others."