For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. —2 Timothy 1:7

Introduction

Gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life, [and] destructive of good government… Gambling feeds on human greed and invites persons to place their trust in possessions rather than in God. It represents a form of idolatry that contradicts the first commandment.” —UM Book of Resolutions 2016

Week 1: We participate in

. We are the

Reveal Answer

.

Each person is

and has a unique gift to share with the community. (Romans 12:6-8, 2 Timothy 1:7)

Self-

is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. (2 Timothy 1:8)

United Methodist are all “All In” with our

, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

We prayed daily at waking, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime for our

.

This Week: We go “All In” to show up for one another with our

.

We say “Thank You!” and

those who show up for our children and youth.

Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you’re

.

The first act of love is

.

How Do We Do It?

We are talking about “

–ship,” being there for one another. (Acts 2:42)

Elimelech and Naomi flee a famine in Bethlehem and move to

. (Ruth 1:1-5)

Moab was east of the Dead Sea and associated with

and improper sexuality. (Ruth 1:7-9)

We must

if we will be present when it is difficult and dangerous with unknown outcomes. (Ruth 1:14-19)

Your faithfulness may not be

, but God is always working for your

Reveal Answer

. (Ruth 2:5-6, 11)

For perseverance is not resignation, putting up with things the way they are, staying in the same old rut year after year, or being a doormat for people to wipe their feet on. —Eugene Peterson

At Acts 2, our covenant is to

each week even when it becomes difficult to do so.

Your presence makes a

!

We are

with and for God in prayer, worship, service, community, and crisis.

You can’t be present in a

.

It takes time to show up for those in

.

When we show up for people in

, we live into our membership vow of presence.

It takes time to show up for

, and live into Jesus’ new commandment. (John 13:34-35)

If you want a friend, you have to be a

. If you want people to show up for you …

Why It is Important

Church is not a

machine of religious goods and services.

You can’t have other people do your

for you.

“All In” people change the world for

.

Do you know the one thing every kid needs the most?

Adults who will show up predictably and consistently, over time. In fact, it’s the one thing they need more than anything else … we are doing our best work when we simply show up. —Kristen Ivy

You never know what God will do with your

. (Matthew 1:1-2, 5-6, 16)

Action Steps

five times a day. Show up for someone outside your

Reveal Answer

this week.

Today, decide what is most important to you and commit your

there.