This devotional begins with Simeon in Luke 2:25-32. Simeon is described as righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was longing for the promised Messiah, the one who would bring comfort, rescue, and restoration to God’s people.

When Simeon finally holds Jesus, he says, ‘my eyes have seen your salvation… a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ Simeon is not only longing for personal comfort or national restoration but for the Savior whose salvation will reach beyond Israel to the nations: you and me today.

Before Jesus was announced to the world, there were people quietly longing for him. Simeon teaches us that there should be a longing for the reach of the lost: longing for Christ, longing for salvation, and longing for the nations to see the light of Jesus. Anna, in Luke 2:36-38, adds a companion picture as she speaks about Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Where Simeon gives us consolation, Anna gives us redemption. Together, they teach Advent longing.

This devotional is designed to help us enter Advent with a missionary heart. Advent reminds us that Jesus did not remain distant from a lost world, but came near. He came as a baby. He entered our weakness, our neighborhood, our grief, our questions, and our sin so that he might seek and save the lost, using us—his disciples—to share this message to the whole world.

The frame for this devotional is Colossians 4:2-6. Paul calls the church to be devoted to prayer, watchful with thanksgiving, asking God to open doors for the gospel, speaking clearly, walking wisely toward outsiders, and letting our speech be gracious and ready.

The mission for Alpha this year is simple: to create a hospitable space for people who are open to exploring Christianity, trusting God to give the growth. That means our preparation is not built on promotion but on prayer, relational trust, clear invitation, and a church-wide desire to welcome outsiders with the grace and truth of Jesus.

From November 15-30, the devotionals will begin by helping us see how Christ comes toward the lost in his incarnation and throughout his ministry. From December 1-21, the devotional becomes a 21-day prayer runway, helping each person and each community group pray for specific people that we either have a relationship with, know through our One Place, or know through Disciple Making Cohorts.

From December 22-January 1, the devotional carries that prayer into Christmas and the new year with continued attention to relational trust, hospitality, invitation, and the seven-week Alpha relaunch after spring break.

Alpha

Alpha is a third-party curriculum that gives Christians and non-Christians a place to have a dinner conversation, with a set of videos that explore the merits of Christianity. In year two, Alpha at The Well is being built around Colossians 4:2-6 as a sequence:

• Devote ourselves to persistent prayer.
• Depend on God to open doors.
• Discern wise conduct toward outsiders.
• Declare the gospel with answers fitted to each person.

The goal by December 21 is to establish a church-wide foundation of prayer and preparation for the March relaunch by engaging Alpha leaders, Prayer Team members, community groups, and ministry partners in consistent prayer for outsiders and intentional planning for Year Two.

The goal by the March relaunch is to identify 100 close relationships, track at least 50 personal invitations, and pray toward 25-35 registrations. The deeper goal is not a number by itself, but to learn how to notice people, pray by name, and invite through meaningful relationship.

How to Use This Devotional

Read the daily passage slowly. Notice what the text shows about Jesus, the lost, prayer, or witness.

Reflect honestly. Ask where Jesus is correcting fear, indifference, hurry, or unbelief in you.

Pray by name. Write down people in your life who may be open to exploring Christianity.

Practice one small act. Look for ordinary faithfulness: a conversation, a meal, a text, a question, an invitation, or a moment of listening.

Bring the names to community group. Pray together for open doors, clear words, wise lives, gracious speech, and readiness for Alpha.

Community Group / OPA Rhythm

However your CG is tracking people you are regularly praying for in your One Place, or lost friends you are praying for, add a red circle beside their name, meaning this is a relationship you specifically want to invite to Alpha.

Pray Colossians 4:2-6 in your own words.

Share names, asking God for open doors with these names, and for courage to walk through them with gentleness.

At 11:02 every day, wherever you are, pause to pray for outsiders and the Alpha launch in March.

Colossians 4:2-6 Prayer Frame

• Devoted prayer: Lord, make us steady, not sporadic.
• Watchfulness: Lord, help us notice people, moments, questions, and needs.
• Thanksgiving: Lord, keep us from anxiety and cynicism.
• Open doors: Lord, create real opportunities for the message of Christ.
• Clarity: Lord, help us speak the gospel plainly and humbly.
• Wisdom toward outsiders: Lord, make our lives credible and kind.
• Gracious speech: Lord, season our words with patience, truth, and love.

Who Should I Invite?

Alpha invitations should come through lost friends that you have relational trust and capital with; do not invite someone you do not have a relationship with. Prioritize people you know personally, have meaningful connection with, and can continue walking with after the invitation. Look especially for people who are open to Christianity, different worldviews, and honest questions.

Several hours of real relationship over time may help you understand something about a person’s life, spiritual openness, and whether Alpha would genuinely be the right step for them.

Shared Prayer List

The church-wide goal is to build a shared prayer list of at least 100 named invitees by December 21, in partnership with our Missions, Prayer, Community Groups, and Connections Team.

Waiting for the Consolation

Luke 2:25-32

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

Intro

Simeon was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. His waiting was not passive. It was holy longing for the promised Messiah. Reaching the lost begins here: before we speak, plan, invite, or host, we ask God to give us Simeon’s longing for Christ and for salvation to be seen.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Simeon show a holy longing for Christ?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill Simeon’s waiting?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Simeon’s song point to salvation in Christ?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What longing is the Spirit awakening in you today? Today: Write down the names of three people you long to see come into the light of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, make me a person who longs for Christ and longs for others to see his salvation.

A Light for the Nations

Luke 2:30-38

Intro

Simeon rejoices that his eyes have seen God’s salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Anna then speaks of Jesus to those waiting for redemption. Advent longing moves outward: Christ is not only comfort for us; he is light for the nations.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• E — Example (He Shows Us How). How does this passage show God’s heart for the nations?
• F — Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus become light for the Gentiles?
• A — Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus bring outsiders near by grace?
• P — Power (He Gives Us His Power). Who is the Spirit placing on your heart today? Today: Pray for one neighbor, coworker, classmate, family member, or people group by name.

Prayer

Ask God to widen your longing beyond your own comfort to the salvation of outsiders, neighbors, and nations.

Light for People in Darkness

Isaiah 9:1-7

9  But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Intro

The promised child comes to people walking in darkness. Darkness is not only moral rebellion; it is confusion, grief, fear, and hopelessness. Jesus brings light strong enough for every kind of night.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does this passage show Christ’s compassion for people in darkness?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s promise of light?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus rescue us from darkness?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where might the Spirit send you with hope today? Today: Send one simple check-in message with no agenda beyond care.

Prayer

Ask God to show you where someone near you is carrying darkness quietly.

Born Among the Ordinary

Luke 2:1-7

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Intro

The Son of God entered the world without earthly status. His first bed was not impressive. This humbles our witness. We do not need perfect conditions, polished words, or social power to join God’s mission.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus model humility in his birth?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill God’s promise through ordinary circumstances?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Christ’s humility prepare him to save us?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where is the Spirit inviting ordinary faithfulness today? Today: Look for one ordinary setting where God may already be opening a door.

Prayer

Ask Jesus to free you from needing to look impressive.

Good News for Shepherds

Luke 2:8-20

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Intro

The first public announcement of Jesus’ birth went to shepherds. God delights to send good news to people others overlook. If the gospel is truly good news, it must sound like grace to the weary, the ashamed, and the unseen.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does God show grace to overlooked people here?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill the announcement of great joy?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does the Savior’s birth answer our deepest need?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Who might need encouragement from you today? Today: Encourage someone who may feel unseen.

Prayer

Ask God to soften your speech toward people you find easy to overlook.

Sought by Outsiders

Matthew 2:1-12

¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

⁶ “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” ⁹ After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Intro

The Magi remind us that God can awaken hunger in surprising people and through surprising paths. Some people are closer to seeking than we assume. Our task is to pay attention and be ready.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does God welcome seekers in this passage?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill the nations’ search for a king?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus receive people who come from far away?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What curiosity might the Spirit help you notice today? Today: Ask someone a gentle spiritual question, such as, ‘Have you ever had much church background?’

Prayer

Ask God to reveal who around you may already be curious.

Jesus Identifies with Sinners

Matthew 3:13-17

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Intro

At his baptism, Jesus stands in the waters with sinners, though he has no sin of his own. He does not save from a distance. He identifies with those he came to rescue and points us toward a witness marked by humility.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus model humble nearness to sinners?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill righteousness for us?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus stand with sinners to save them?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where is the Spirit confronting pride in you today? Today: Listen to someone’s story without correcting or rushing them.

Prayer

Confess any pride that keeps you distant from people who need grace.

Tempted Yet Faithful

Matthew 4:1-11

¹ Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ⁶ and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Intro

Jesus faced temptation and remained faithful where we fail. He is not fragile in the face of human weakness. This gives us courage to pray for people who seem far from God and for ourselves when witness feels hard.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus model faithfulness under temptation?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus succeed where we fail?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Christ’s obedience become hope for sinners?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where might the Spirit strengthen your endurance today? Today: Pray for someone whose story feels complicated or discouraging.

Prayer

Ask Jesus for endurance where you are tempted to withdraw.

Calling Fishermen

Matthew 4:18-22

¹⁸ While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Intro

Jesus calls ordinary workers into his mission. He does not wait until they know everything. He invites them to follow and learn as they go. Reaching the lost is not reserved for experts; it belongs to disciples.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus invite ordinary people into mission?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus create the workers he sends?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does grace qualify unprepared disciples?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What relationship might the Spirit be naming today? Today: Name one relationship where following Jesus may require a next step.

Prayer

Ask God to use your ordinary relationships and ordinary obedience.

The Doctor for the Sick

Mark 2:13-17

¹³ He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. ¹⁴ And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

¹⁵ And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Intro

Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners because sick people need a physician. His holiness is not avoidance; it is healing presence. Churches that follow Jesus must learn how to be near without becoming self-righteous or careless.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus move toward spiritually sick people?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus fulfill the role of the true physician?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus heal what sin has broken?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Who might the Spirit invite you to welcome today? Today: Consider who you could invite to coffee, lunch, dinner, or a simple conversation.

Prayer

Ask God for holiness that moves toward people in love.

A Woman at the Well

John 4:1-26

¹ Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John ² (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), ³ he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. ⁴ And he had to pass through Samaria. ⁵ So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

⁷ A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” ⁸ (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” ¹¹ The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” ¹³ Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” ¹⁷ The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; ¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” ¹⁹ The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” ²¹ Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” ²⁵ The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” ²⁶ Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Intro

Jesus meets a woman with truth and tenderness. He names thirst beneath behavior and offers living water. Evangelism is not winning an argument; it is helping people hear the invitation of Jesus.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus speak with truth to this woman?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus offer the living water she needs?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus cover shame with mercy?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What honest question could you ask today? Today: Practice asking one good question before offering advice.

Prayer

Ask Jesus to make you both honest and tender.

Compassion for Crowds

Matthew 9:35-38

³⁵ And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Intro

Jesus sees harassed and helpless people and responds with compassion. Then he tells his disciples to pray. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers come through prayer before strategy.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus see harassed people?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus answer the need for a shepherd?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus become the shepherd who saves?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where is the Spirit teaching you compassion today? Today: Pray for your community group by name as workers in the harvest.

Prayer

Ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers in your church, including you.

Seeking the One

Luke 15:1-7

¹ Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Intro

Jesus tells of a shepherd who seeks the one lost sheep. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. The mission of God is personal. One name matters. One conversation matters. One invitation matters.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus value one lost person?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus become the shepherd who seeks?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Jesus carry the lost home by grace?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Whose name is the Spirit asking you to carry today? Today: Put that person’s name on your prayer list.

Prayer

Ask God to place one person clearly on your heart.

The Father Who Runs

Luke 15:11-32

¹¹ And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ ²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Intro

The father runs toward the returning son while the older brother struggles to rejoice. Reaching the lost requires the heart of the Father, not merely the correctness of the older brother.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does the father show costly mercy?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus reveal the Father’s welcome?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does grace restore the undeserving child?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). Where is the Spirit challenging resentment today? Today: Examine whether resentment or fear has narrowed your compassion.

Prayer

Ask God to give you joy when grace reaches someone unexpected.

Zacchaeus in the Tree

Luke 19:1-10

¹ He entered Jericho and was passing through. ² And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³ And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. ⁴ So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. ⁷ And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” ⁸ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” ⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Intro

Jesus notices Zacchaeus, calls him by name, and enters his house. Salvation comes with personal attention and costly welcome. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and he still loves to enter homes and lives.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus notice Zacchaeus personally?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus seek the lost in this story?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does salvation enter a guilty house?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What personal door might the Spirit open today? Today: Use someone’s name warmly today and make space for conversation.

Prayer

Ask God for a personal door into someone’s life.

Sent as Witnesses

Acts 1:6-11

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Intro

The risen Jesus sends his people as witnesses. We do not witness to ourselves, our church brand, or our moral strength. We bear witness to him: crucified, risen, reigning, and coming again.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Jesus send his people as witnesses?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does the risen Christ complete the disciples’ hope?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does the cross become the message we witness to?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What simple testimony might the Spirit form in you today? Today: Write one sentence about why Jesus is good news to you.

Prayer

Ask the Spirit to make your life and words point to Jesus.

Devoted to Prayer

Colossians 4:2-6

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Intro

The second half of this devotional begins where Paul begins: prayer. We do not start with pressure, panic, or technique. This is the beginning of a 21-day prayer runway toward the March Alpha relaunch, because only God opens hearts and doors.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Paul model dependence in mission?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus anchor our prayers for open doors?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does grace free us from pressure in witness?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What prayer habit is the Spirit forming today? Today: Choose three to five names for daily prayer through Dec. 21 and add them to the shared prayer list.

Prayer

Lord, make me steady in prayer for the lost.

Watchful Prayer

Colossians 4:2; Nehemiah 1:1-11

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

¹ The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, ² that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. ³ And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

⁴ As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. ⁷ We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. ⁸ Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, ⁹ but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ ¹⁰ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. ¹¹ O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Intro

Watchful prayer pays attention. It notices burdens, questions, patterns, and invitations. The people around us are not background scenery; they are souls made in God’s image.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does watchfulness shape faithful prayer?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus teach us to notice people?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Christ’s attention heal our indifference?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What need is the Spirit helping you notice today? Today: Write one thing you have noticed about each person on your list.

Prayer

Lord, help me notice what I usually miss.

Thankful Prayer

Colossians 4:2; Philippians 1:3-6

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Intro

Thanksgiving protects prayer from anxiety. We can thank God before we see change because he is already merciful, patient, and active. Gratitude steadies the church for long obedience.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does thanksgiving steady gospel prayer?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus give us confidence before results appear?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does grace make gratitude possible?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What sign of grace can you thank God for today? Today: Tell your community group one reason you are hopeful.

Prayer

Thank God for every sign of grace in the people you are praying for.

Open Doors

Colossians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9

³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

⁸ But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Intro

An open door may be a question, a crisis, an invitation, a meal, a shared interest, or a moment of trust. We do not force doors open. We ask God to open them and make us ready to walk through.

E.F.A.P.: Seeing Christ in the Passage

• Example (He Shows Us How). How does Paul ask God for opportunity?
• Fulfillment (He Does What We Cannot). How does Jesus open the way to God?
• Atonement (He Takes Our Place and Gives Us His Right Standing). How does Christ’s work give us access to the Father?
• Power (He Gives Us His Power). What door might the Spirit be opening today? Today: Ask God for one natural next conversation this week.

Prayer

Lord, open a real door for the message of Christ.