All year long we have been focusing as a church on Living Beyond Myself. We will continue with that theme studying the life of a woman who exemplified how God can greatly leverage a life that is other focused. The story of Ruth takes place in what is arguably one of the lowest points of Israel’s history, the time when the Judges ruled. Her life stands as an oasis of integrity, love and righteousness within the desert of Israel’s rebelion, legalism and immorality. Ruth stands out to us all as a prototype of real faith, driven by an insatiable desire for obedience (Ruth 1:16-17, 3:10) that leads to God’s blessing. (Ruth 4:13, 17). The book stresses God’s providential care and reward for the faithfulness of his people. (Ruth 2:12)
Special Focus: Human Trafficking
a) Deeply ingrained in the collective psyche of Western culture is the notion that slavery ended in the nineteenth century. In our own day, however, a thriving underground market in human beings has emerged once again. 27 million people are in some form of slavery today, (In the US and abroad!) more than were bartered and bought during a 400-year period of North Atlantic slavery in the past. Modern-day slavery respects no borders. Therefore, it will take a concerted movement to end it once again. You may not have known this before, but now you do.
b) Learning to address injustice is a critical dimension of our being formed in Christ. In fact, the closer we draw to God, the more clearly we see the needs of our neighbors near and far. That's the way transformation happens. It's through transformed people that God transforms the world.
i) Inform: Special Focus in Gatherings and special Movie Screening
ii) Pray:
(1) For a heart that is broken by the plight of trafficked people.
(2) For the trafficked people and organizations working to free them.
(3) For the healing and restoration of rescued victims.
(4) For the traffickers - that they be convicted and repent.
(5) Become a prayer partner with an anti-trafficking organization.
iii) Advocacy: Special collection / Letter Writing Campaign
Desired Outcomes
a) That the PCC community would come to understand and live in light of God’s nature, specifically His Sovereignty and Kesed Love.
b) That the PCC community would develop in their Fear of the Lord trusting in his commands and boundaries and live with a desire for righteousness and holiness.
c) That the PCC community would understand God’s sovereignty more fully and live out that understanding.
d) That the PCC community would be gripped with the plight of injustice around them, specifically human trafficking and engage in the Covenant / IJM initiative to put an end to this deplorable plight.