Focus 4 | Accidental Purpose
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Consider this ice breaker as you gather for the Spotlight.
What song could you listen to over and over again?
What song could you listen to over and over again?
See what this Spotlight—and series—is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 4" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 4" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Let’s talk about where sidewalks begin.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Here’s a question: How do we decide where a path should go?
Rem Koolhaas, the Dutch architect famous for a uniquely post-modern approach to architecture that led to such remarkable buildings as the Seattle Central Library, took an incredible approach to this question in his work on the IIT McCormick Tribute Campus Center in Illinois.
The new campus center building was to stretch between several long-standing, existing campus buildings—essentially bringing two halves of a campus together—and had the task of going under a section of the Chicago Metro train that had split the campus in two in the first place.
What makes Koolhaas’ approach to the building so unique is that, since students had walked under the train for years to get from building to building, he chose to honor the well-worn paths that already existed. The result, on paper, seems like irregular and criss-crossing sidewalks but, in actual use, feels natural and easy to navigate.
For years, students had simply tried to get from one half of the campus to the other, choosing to walk whatever route would get them to class on time. They weren’t thinking about designing a future facility. But when IIT tapped Rem Koolhaas to lead this project, instead of forcing the students to walk unnatural paths that were designed for the campus aesthetic, he took cues from their paths and found a powerful way forward.
In this Spotlight, we’ll consider the ways that “letting someone help” can bring not only new insight, but new direction to life. While there will probably random, serendipitous connections that coincidentally affect us (a la the 2004 best picture winning film Crash), it doesn’t have to be so random. You don’t have to leave it to chance. You can ask for help, inviting those interactions in, and allowing them to impact your journey.
Allow a prayer as you start thinking this through today:
Lord, where you lead, we would like to follow—but how can we know where you want us to go?
You give us your word, which is a light for our path. You give us your love, which forgives our missteps. You give us to one another, as guides and companions, to share and shape each other's journey.
Help us hear and listen to your voice.
Help us hear and listen to one another.
Help us be humble enough to ask for directions and flexible enough to adjust when the answer doesn't point the direction we expected.
Amen.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Here’s a question: How do we decide where a path should go?
Rem Koolhaas, the Dutch architect famous for a uniquely post-modern approach to architecture that led to such remarkable buildings as the Seattle Central Library, took an incredible approach to this question in his work on the IIT McCormick Tribute Campus Center in Illinois.
The new campus center building was to stretch between several long-standing, existing campus buildings—essentially bringing two halves of a campus together—and had the task of going under a section of the Chicago Metro train that had split the campus in two in the first place.
What makes Koolhaas’ approach to the building so unique is that, since students had walked under the train for years to get from building to building, he chose to honor the well-worn paths that already existed. The result, on paper, seems like irregular and criss-crossing sidewalks but, in actual use, feels natural and easy to navigate.
For years, students had simply tried to get from one half of the campus to the other, choosing to walk whatever route would get them to class on time. They weren’t thinking about designing a future facility. But when IIT tapped Rem Koolhaas to lead this project, instead of forcing the students to walk unnatural paths that were designed for the campus aesthetic, he took cues from their paths and found a powerful way forward.
In this Spotlight, we’ll consider the ways that “letting someone help” can bring not only new insight, but new direction to life. While there will probably random, serendipitous connections that coincidentally affect us (a la the 2004 best picture winning film Crash), it doesn’t have to be so random. You don’t have to leave it to chance. You can ask for help, inviting those interactions in, and allowing them to impact your journey.
Allow a prayer as you start thinking this through today:
Lord, where you lead, we would like to follow—but how can we know where you want us to go?
You give us your word, which is a light for our path. You give us your love, which forgives our missteps. You give us to one another, as guides and companions, to share and shape each other's journey.
Help us hear and listen to your voice.
Help us hear and listen to one another.
Help us be humble enough to ask for directions and flexible enough to adjust when the answer doesn't point the direction we expected.
Amen.
Let’s review where we’re been so far.
Divide and conquer by following these steps:
Divide and conquer by following these steps:
- Start by dividing your group into thirds (if you’re going through this Spotlight in a group).
- Assign each one of this series’ previous weeks to one of the thirds of the group.
- Part 1 | Vulnerable Strength
- Part 2 | Care-full Speed
- Part 3 | Unified Diversty
- Try to come up with a one or two-sentence summary for each third’s assigned part.
- Come back together as a whole group to present and talk through each week’s summaries.
Welcome Perspective
Looking back can help us as we move forward.
Looking back can help us as we move forward.
Discover how everything praises God.
- Press play to start listening to this song (below).
(The song’s lyrics are posted below the video player.) - Contemplate these questions while you listen:
- This song invites everything in the universe to praise God—but everything does this in its own way. What have you observed that reflects well on its Maker?
- “Alleluia” comes from the Hebrew words meaning “Praise the Lord.” Ergo, the chorus of this song is essentially all of us calling to each other, “Hey, praise God!” and responding with “Praise the Lord!” (In other words, this song isn't much of a solo—it needs the group to call and respond.)
Lyrics from All Creatures by King’s Kaleidoscope
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing.
Oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam—
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong—
ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise, rejoice—
ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness.
Oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Praise—praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing.
Oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam—
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong—
ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise, rejoice—
ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness.
Oh, praise Him—Alleluia!
Praise—praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Oh, praise Him—oh, praise Him!
Alleluia, Alleluia—Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Watch the baptism of Leona Elizabeth.
Acts 8:26–39
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.
And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
He was humiliated and received no justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.
And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
He was humiliated and received no justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
Know the needs you have that can make this happen.
The triangle image above is known as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need.” It’s a simple way to categorize the types of needs each person has.
Pray through this list for yourself, starting from the bottom (the more essential needs) and moving up.
Try to get specific as you pray. For example, instead of just praying for “air” (the first in the list of physiological needs)—what is it about air that you would ask for? Air quality improvement? Help against asthma? For everything on the list, try to dive into your particular need, since the more clearly you see the need the more clearly the potential solutions can be.
This prayer activity can be done in person or in families or in other subdivided groups. This is a big list, and hopefully can provide a pretty focused session of praying for you.
Use as many as eight minutes to pray through this, allowing getting through this list attainable.
(The ambient background audio below can help govern your allotted time.)
The triangle image above is known as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need.” It’s a simple way to categorize the types of needs each person has.
Pray through this list for yourself, starting from the bottom (the more essential needs) and moving up.
Try to get specific as you pray. For example, instead of just praying for “air” (the first in the list of physiological needs)—what is it about air that you would ask for? Air quality improvement? Help against asthma? For everything on the list, try to dive into your particular need, since the more clearly you see the need the more clearly the potential solutions can be.
This prayer activity can be done in person or in families or in other subdivided groups. This is a big list, and hopefully can provide a pretty focused session of praying for you.
Use as many as eight minutes to pray through this, allowing getting through this list attainable.
(The ambient background audio below can help govern your allotted time.)
Work together to read this passage.
Read through the following passage, divided up into four parts, seamlessly.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love…
…he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding…
…he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Read through the following passage, divided up into four parts, seamlessly.
- Assign each of the four below sections (two verses in each part) to four people in your group.
- Have those who were assigned a part read through this passage together—aloud.
- Work together to try to make it read as seamlessly as possible, even though sections are divided up halfway through sentences in some cases.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love…
…he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding…
…he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Discover who can make you a light.
- Press play to start listening to this song (below).
- Contemplate these questions while you listen:
- This song repeats the phrase “may there be less of me and more of him” at the end of each verse. How did that happen during the story of Philip and the Ethiopian?
- The chorus has this mirror idea, suggesting that if we are shining it’s because we are reflecting light from somewhere else. For whose benefit do we shine? (Hint: It’s not God. He’s bright enough already.)
- Does this song impact you differently if you think of it as coming from the heart of Leona as she is baptized?
Worship Perspective
Everything can praise God—anything can be a light.
Everything can praise God—anything can be a light.
Learn more about being in crisis mode.
Read through the following passage:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32–35
Discuss these questions with your group:
Read through the following passage:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32–35
Discuss these questions with your group:
- What similarities are there between the way the early Christians acted and the way people act after a major disaster, such as an earthquake or terrorist attack?
- Why do you think humans are more generous in “crisis mode” than in regular circumstances? Based on your answer to that question, why do you think the early Christians were so incredibly generous?
Learn more about being a helpmate.
Read through the following passage:
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Genesis 2:18–22
Discuss these questions with your group:
Read through the following passage:
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Genesis 2:18–22
Discuss these questions with your group:
- The “helper” idea here is significant. Even before humanity sins, God says that having help is a good thing. Who needs whom in this story? That is, who is asking for help, and who is coming to make a difference?
- In explaining this story, the Bible says this: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Marriage is an extreme example. In what other ways do our helpers alter the course of our lives?
Learn Perspective
Having someone to help is something to be thankful for and proud of—not ashamed.
Having someone to help is something to be thankful for and proud of—not ashamed.
Share some encouragement.
Read through the following passage:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32–35
Select one of the following definitions to encourage others.
[kur-ij] noun
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc.,
without fear; bravery.
Wisdom
[wiz-duhm] noun
the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Bravery
[brey-vuh-ree] noun
brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor.
courageous behavior or character.
Pluck
[plək] noun
spirited and determined courage;
bold use of bravery or courage.
Read through the following passage:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32–35
Select one of the following definitions to encourage others.
- Imagine there’s a local therapist who shares a single word and its definition with each new client after their first visit.
- Using the four options below, which would you choose to share as a simple way to encourage them as they begin to seek help?
- Discuss which option you selected with your group and why you chose it.
- (Feel free to include what you might add in addition to the word and definition you selected, congratulating the recipient on taking a good step.)
[kur-ij] noun
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc.,
without fear; bravery.
Wisdom
[wiz-duhm] noun
the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Bravery
[brey-vuh-ree] noun
brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor.
courageous behavior or character.
Pluck
[plək] noun
spirited and determined courage;
bold use of bravery or courage.
Tell a story about therapy/counseling.
In the Serve sections of this series, you’ve been looking at letting someone professional help.
That same theme continues this week with a look at the impact therapy and counseling can have on people and those around them.
Have you or someone you’ve known ever seen a counselor or therapist? (Now is your chance to help others by sharing your experience.)
In the Serve sections of this series, you’ve been looking at letting someone professional help.
That same theme continues this week with a look at the impact therapy and counseling can have on people and those around them.
Have you or someone you’ve known ever seen a counselor or therapist? (Now is your chance to help others by sharing your experience.)
- Tell a story to your group (if you’re comfortable) about the ways that you’ve seen counseling benefit someone—yourself or someone you know
- Then answer this question: Why do you think it worked?
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
Serve Perspective
Therapy helps more than just you when you talk about it with others.
Therapy helps more than just you when you talk about it with others.
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer.
(If you’re doing this in a group, read it aloud as a group, in unison.)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
are yours now and forever.
Amen.
(If you’re doing this in a group, read it aloud as a group, in unison.)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Start to wind down by singing about some good news.
- Press play to start listening to this song (below).
(The song’s lyrics are posted below the video player.) - Contemplate these questions while you listen:
- We sang this last month when talking about confessing collective guilt, and we are singing it again this month as we talk about letting someone help. What’s the connection between those concepts?
- A hero defeats an enemy. A rescuer saves someone in need. While the two often go hand in hand, they’re not the same thing. Which do you need right now? (That is, how could God send someone to help you?)
Lyrics from Rescuer (Good News) by Rend Collective
There is good news for the captive—
good news for the shamed.
There is good news for the one who walked away.
There is good news for the doubter—
the one religion failed:
for the Good Lord has come to seek and save.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
He is beauty for the blind man—
riches for the poor.
He is friendship for the one the world ignores.
He is pasture for the weary—
Rest for those who strive.
Oh, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life.
Yes, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
Oh, oh—
we will praise the Lord our rescuer.
Oh, oh—
we will praise the Lord our rescuer.
So come and be chainless—
come and be fearless.
Come to the foot of Calvary.
There is redemption
for every affliction
here at the foot of Calvary.
So come and be chainless—
come and be fearless.
Come to the foot of Calvary.
’cause there is redemption
for every affliction
here at the foot of Calvary.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
There is good news for the captive—
good news for the shamed.
There is good news for the one who walked away.
There is good news for the doubter—
the one religion failed:
for the Good Lord has come to seek and save.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
He is beauty for the blind man—
riches for the poor.
He is friendship for the one the world ignores.
He is pasture for the weary—
Rest for those who strive.
Oh, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life.
Yes, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
Oh, oh—
we will praise the Lord our rescuer.
Oh, oh—
we will praise the Lord our rescuer.
So come and be chainless—
come and be fearless.
Come to the foot of Calvary.
There is redemption
for every affliction
here at the foot of Calvary.
So come and be chainless—
come and be fearless.
Come to the foot of Calvary.
’cause there is redemption
for every affliction
here at the foot of Calvary.
He’s our rescuer—
he’s our rescuer.
We are free from sin forevermore.
Oh, how sweet the sound—
Oh, how grace abounds.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
We will praise the Lord our rescuer.
Sing along with (or listen to) this song to close out this Spotlight.
Feel free to sing along or simply listen. Do what makes you comfortable—but do whatever helps you focus on the song's meaning best.
Feel free to sing along or simply listen. Do what makes you comfortable—but do whatever helps you focus on the song's meaning best.
Farewell Perspective
Interceding for one another does more for you and others than you know.
Interceding for one another does more for you and others than you know.
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
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