At our meeting, Saturday, December 6, we begin our discussion on service. Step 12 of the 12 Step Spiritual Program.
“Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.“
We hope to see our newest member Patricia G, from Pakistan.
Ed
2 thoughts on “Meeting on December 6, 2025”
December 6th Meeting
Good morning! Hope to see you on Zoom. The first hour is dedicated to Emotions Anonymous, sharing our strength and hope, what works for us or what we are struggling with. We try to talk only about ourselves and not to give advice unless people are seeking suggestions.
There is an option for a second hour of Bible Study for those who are interested in extended fellowship, encouragement, and support.
Remember today, you are not alone. We are in this together.
Julie W
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SERVICE?
Any service that reflects Jesus’ love is “Christian service.” From giving a cup of water (Mark 9:41) to dying for someone (John 15:13), there are as many types of Christian service as there are needs in the world. Very few involve activity within the four walls of the church.
The Bible gives some specific examples of Christian service: show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2), remember those in prison (Matthew 25:36), provide for the needy (Matthew 25:35), and mentor others (Titus 2:2-8). Some examples speak to our day-to-day living: care for children (Matthew 18:5), tend families (Titus 2:5), treat employees fairly (Colossians 4:1), deal honestly with customers (Leviticus 19:36), and be diligent with employers’ resources (Matthew 25:14-30). As long as the act is done “in Jesus’ name”—that is, it is motivated by the love of Jesus—it is Christian service.
BIBLE’S BEST REFERENCE TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE IS PRACTICING THE GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:16-20 ESV
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew adds, though, with frustratingly little detail that “some doubted.” What did they doubt, exactly, and who did the doubting? We cannot know for sure, but Bible scholars speculate. Perhaps some doubted that this was really Jesus raised from the dead and not another being. Perhaps some doubted, still, that the resurrected Jesus was the Son of God and worthy of worship. Perhaps some simply doubted that what they were seeing with their own eyes, Jesus alive and breathing, could possibly be true.
Who doubted? Some say it must have been some among Jesus’ main eleven disciples. Some say it must have been others present at the appearance of Jesus in this moment. Thomas, famously, stubbornly refused to believe Jesus was alive even after hearing it from the other ten disciples (John 20:24–29). It’s possible that other followers of Christ were afraid to trust what seemed too good to be true.
THE ROOT OF FEAR IS DOUBT