Over the final weekend in January, we had the pleasure of hosting teacher and author Bob Rognlien as he presented a training that has been decades in the making, "The Jesus-Shaped Way."
During our time together, Bob shared a concept called a "kairos moment." In Greek, "kairos" translates to "time," but it's more than just a measure of time; it's a specific moment, a decision point, or a crossroad. As Bob points out in his book, a kairos moment can be anything that draws our attention to Jesus, such as a Scripture verse, a comment from someone, or even a beautiful sunset. If we are open to them, these events can awaken us to the opportunity for God's Kingdom to enter our lives. In those moments, we should pause and ask, "Jesus, what are you saying to me right now?" and "What step of faith do you want me to take?"
Ken Wegenhart shared his testimony one Sunday morning about his kairos moment and the step of faith he was nudged to take. One afternoon at the church, he and his dog Eoin (pronounced Owen) encountered a little boy who was physically disabled. Eoin knew there was something different about this boy and responded in a very calm and gentle way even when the boy's play got a little rougher. This convinced Ken that Eoin should work in therapy. Listening to this voice led Ken to join the group Canines for Christ of Southwest Ohio.
Ken closed his story by saying, "But there are lots of ways to serve. You can serve at Matthew 25. You can serve at NEEDS, City Gospel Mission, Canines for Christ. You can sing in the choir...There's so many things to do. We just need to listen for that quiet whisper telling us what to do, or you could be like me and wait until He smacks you upside the head with a 2x4 to get my attention. But listen, and more than just listen, act, follow through. Do what God's telling you to do and serve."
We can't always navigate these moments on our own. We should always turn to the Lord in prayer, and by His design, we should also seek support from our fellow Christian disciples. We have been placed in a spiritual family to be discipled, to discern Jesus' voice, and to follow His Way and Truth. When we ask, "Jesus, what are you saying to me?" and "What step of faith do you want me to take?" it's essential to seek input from our brothers and sisters in Christ to clarify and sharpen His message.
Pastor Smith is starting Abide Groups to help facilitate those discussions. These small gatherings are designed to help us support one another as we engage with the rhythms of life that Christ taught. Together, we'll listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance and take action empowered by God's strength.
For 15 weeks, beginning in March, we’ll explore Bob Rognlien’s Devotional Commentary on the Gospel of John, which will serve as our insightful guide. Pastor Smith will be leading these groups, and we are excited to invite both those who would like to host gatherings in their homes and those who would like to attend.
We want to hear from you! Please share your preferred days and times on the Sunday Connect Card, and let us know if you're open to welcoming a group into your home.
We plan to kick off these groups during the first week of March, so please sign up by Sunday, February 16. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, grow, and release that next step of faith. We can't wait to see how God will work through these groups!
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