INTRODUCTION
What does the word “extravagant” bring to mind? (positive or negative?)
“Extravagant Love” is the call given by Jesus Christ to live out the kingdom of heaven every day.
Much more than a program to try for a while...much different than a few activities to stuff into your already busy schedule… Extravagant Love is a different way of living your life.
If you are willing, this training process can change your life for the rest of your life.
There are hordes of people who need to be loved. The focus of Extravagant Love is on people whom God has brought to our region as refugees, immigrants, and international students. We believe God has a special plan for these precious people to find Him.
KEY PASSAGE: EXTRAVAGANT LOVE – Matthew 5:41-48
Matthew 5-7 contains the “Sermon on the Mount.” This is Jesus’ declaration of a new kind of kingdom, and his invitation to join him in bringing it to pass.
He gives several contrasts between the traditional religious practices of that day and the new calling of His Kingdom. The lifestyle of the kingdom of heaven supercharges the commands to Israel to welcome the foreigner, orphan, and widows.
Matthew 5:41-48 (ESV)
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Notice verse 47: Jesus asked, “What are you doing more than others?” Jesus was setting a higher standard for those who would follow Him and love out the values of his kingdom. We could paraphrase Jesus to be asking, “What’s extravagant about that kind of love?”
As followers of the king, our love is not to be predictable or cautious.
OUR LOVE IS TO BE EXTRAVAGANT, REMARKABLE.
OUR LOVE SHOULD ATTRACT ATTENTION TO KING JESUS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What attitudes and actions would be “remarkable” toward local immigrants?
LET’S UNDERSTAND “DIASPORA”
Diaspora is a Greek word meaning “scattering or dispersion.” Dictionary.com describes it as any group that has been dispersed outside its traditional homeland; it has especially been used of Jews being scattered outside of Palestine.
• It is used in Acts 8:1, “and they were all scattered”
• And 1 Peter 1:1, “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion”
In Extravagant Love training, we especially focus on the diaspora people who are refugees, immigrants, and international students. We will explain this later in the training.
DIASPORA IN OUR AREA
- What do we know about what internationals we have in our area?
HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES for EXTRAVAGANT LOVE
In Head:
- Understand the heart of God for foreigners as seen in multiple Biblical passages
- Understand the reality of immigration in our country through exposure to current data
In Heart:
- Feel compassion for the needy situation which internationals face
- Gain confidence in personally befriending internationals
In Hands:
- Commit to pray about continuing the Extravagant Love journey with us
- Take at least one action step following the workshop
What would be most helpful for you?
We want this training to give you what you need.
What would you hope to get from our times together?
Which of these learning objectives most interest you?
Is this something you can focus on now?
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LET’S TALK SPECIFICS
We propose a cohort learning approach, whereby we learn together, and explore ministry experiences together over the coming weeks and even months.
What would you most value in this learning process?
What questions or concerns do you have?
Here is our proposal. Would this work for us?
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