Twelve Weeks of Prayerful Discernment
Listening Together for Where God Is Leading Holy Trinity
Week 6: Sent into Our Community
Scripture Readings
Read:
Matthew 5:13–16
Jeremiah 29:4–7
1 Peter 2:9–12
Reflection
During the past two weeks, we have considered two important questions.
Whom has God already placed before us?
And,
How do we receive them with the hospitality of Christ?
This week we take one more step.
What if God's mission is not waiting for us somewhere else?
What if He has already placed us exactly where He wants us?
Jesus tells His disciples,
"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world."
Notice what Jesus does not say.
- He does not tell His disciples to become salt.
- He does not tell them to become light.
He simply declares what they already are because they belong to Him.
- Salt preserves.
- Light reveals.
- Neither draws attention to itself.
- Both quietly serve others.
This is a beautiful picture of the Christian life.
As God's people, we often think about serving Him through special programs, committees, or organized events. Those certainly have their place. Yet Scripture reminds us that much of God's work happens through ordinary Christians living ordinary lives with extraordinary hope.
God has already placed each of us in neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, volunteer organizations, sports teams, and families.
These are not accidents.
They are vocations!
They are places where God is already at work.
Jeremiah instructed God's people, living in exile,
"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you."
Even while living in a foreign land, God's people were called to bless their neighbors.
That remains true today.
Holy Trinity exists not only for those already gathered inside these walls.
God has planted this congregation here in Lutz for a reason.
- Our preschool serves families who may never have entered a Lutheran church.
- Our neighbors drive past our campus every day.
- Our members interact with hundreds of people every week.
Every one of these relationships represents an opportunity—not to pressure people, but to love them.
- To listen.
- To serve.
- To bear witness to Christ with humility and gentleness.
Peter reminds us,
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable..."
People often meet Christ's Church before they hear Christ's Word.
Sometimes they first encounter Him through our kindness.
- Our patience.
- Our compassion.
- Our willingness to help.
These acts do not replace the Gospel.
Rather, they adorn it.
As we continue discerning God's direction for Holy Trinity, perhaps one question is becoming clearer.
Instead of asking,
"How can we attract people to our church?"
Perhaps we should first ask,
"How is God already sending His Church into the lives of our neighbors?"
God's mission does not begin with a committee.
It begins with baptized people living faithfully wherever God has already placed them.
Perhaps one of Holy Trinity's greatest strengths is not something we create.
It is the hundreds of relationships our members already have throughout our community.
What might happen if we began praying for those relationships together?
Luther's Five Questions
Instruction
- What does it mean that Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world?
- How does God work through ordinary vocations?
- What do these passages teach about living faithfully in our communities?
Thanksgiving
- Thank God for placing you exactly where you are.
- Give thanks for your family, neighbors, workplace, school, and community.
- Thank Him for every opportunity He gives to quietly bear witness to Christ.
Confession
- Have I viewed my daily life as separate from God's mission?
- Have fear or busyness kept me from loving my neighbors?
- Have I overlooked the opportunities God has already placed before me?
Petition
- Ask God to help us reflect Christ wherever He sends us.
- Pray for our congregation's witness in Lutz.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give us eyes to recognize opportunities to serve.
Recognition
- Where do you already see Holy Trinity's members quietly serving our community?
- What relationships has God already given us?
- How might the Lord be inviting us to deepen our presence in the lives of our neighbors?
Three Layers of Reflection
Personal Reflection
- Where has God placed you to serve others?
- Who are the neighbors, coworkers, or friends God has already entrusted to your care?
- What simple act of kindness or encouragement could you offer this week?
Congregational Reflection
- In what ways is Holy Trinity already blessing the surrounding community?
- What relationships already exist through our preschool, ministries, and members?
- How might we better support one another in living as Christ's witnesses throughout the week?
Discernment Reflection
- What recurring themes have emerged regarding our relationship with the surrounding community?
- Where do you sense God may already be opening doors for future ministry?
- What observations should be shared with the Planning Committee?
Conversation Challenge
Ask another member this week:
"Where has God placed you to be His light?"
Listen for the different ways God is already working through the everyday vocations of His people.
Record what you hear in your discernment journal.
You may discover that God has already woven Holy Trinity into the life of our community in far more ways than we have recognized.