
8 pandemic expressions we don’t want to hear again:
New normal
Social distancing
Unprecedented
Uncertain
Trying times
Essential
Toilet paper shortage
Speaking moistly (Justin Trudeau said the use of masks can prevent people from “breathing or speaking moistly.” He immediately regretted the turn of phrase, and said, “Ugh, what a terrible image”).
As we come to the end of Melbourne’s lockdown and begin opening up again, what are some of the things we can be aware of?
Text: Jeremiah 29:10-14
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
1. What have you enjoyed / disliked about the restrictions?
Make sure you’ve concretised the things you’ve learned.
Things that worked and things that didn’t.
Things that brought you joy and pleasure.
The simple things.
Philippians 4:11-13, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
1 Tim. 6:6-8, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
2. What do you want to take with you into the future?
Some want to go back to what life was like before, but others have realised that life was unsustainable for them.
3. How do you feel about reopening?
Excited, anxious?
We’ve felt for our extrovert friends.
Q. How about our Introvert friends now?
A sense of ambiguity ~ glad lockdown is over, but…
4. What are some of the things we can do to help us ease back?
Everyone’s pace will be different.
Know yourself. Go at your own pace.
You don’t have to do everything all at once.
5. What about church?
Building closed, church open!
Here’s a list of things Bayside Church has achieved together during the pandemic…
• You Version Devotions
• Online Connect Groups
• Bayside Church Online
• Online foyer sessions
• Tuesday night live
• Care packages for those in need (well over 1000)
• Hundreds of people have engaged with Bayside’s Steps discipleship pathway (Step to God, Step to Church, Step to Freedom).
• Dozens of people have completed the Alpha Course.
• The Ministry leaders have developed Step to Leadership and taught it to the staff. (Church launch in 2022).
• Bayside Youth is growing
• Immerse gatherings (3rd Thursdays)
• Pheagle tales
• Pastoral calls many in the church
• Intensity and Bayside Kids on zoom
• Brave Brew Coffee Van (every Wednesday morning in the carpark)
• Respite from Reality retreat
• Take away food at Matts place (over 13,000 hot meals last year for the homeless and others in need).
• Men’s ministry smashing goals
• Digging deeper podcast
• Contemplative prayer online
• Angel Tree (gifts for children of those in prison)
• Building plans developed
• Bayside Young adults restructured with a new YA Program
• Many people saved online
• Many admin achievements – upgrades to the building and upkeep.
• Emergency relief following the storms in the Dandenong’s
• Plus, lots of care of the people by the people
The vision and mission of the church didn’t stop. We are committed to that and to you. And we need to know that we have a community of people who are fully committed to that vision and mission.
Soon, from November 14, we can gather in the bayside church building again (Vision Weekend). Plus, connect groups can recommence in-person.
We are designed to live in community.
Genesis 1:26, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…”
Many times, the New Testament includes the words “one another”. These are specific commands teaching us how (and how not) to relate to one another….
Love one another John 13:34
(Rom 13:8; 1AAPet 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 5)
Be devoted to one another Rom 12:10
Honour one another Rom 12:10
Live in harmony with one another Rom 12:16
Don’t judge one another Rom 14:13
Accept one another Rom 15:7
Instruct one another Rom 15:14
Greet one another Rom 16:16
Agree with one another 1 Cor 1:10
Serve one another Gal 5:13
Be patient, bearing with one another Eph 4:2
Be kind to one another Eph 4:32
Be compassionate to one another Eph 4:32
Speak to one another Eph 5:19
Submit to one another Eph 5:21
Forgive … one another Col 3:13
Teach and admonish one another Col 3:16
Encourage one another 1 Thess 5:11; Heb 3:13
Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
We want to gather together in safe and new ways.
How do we ease back into gathering?
What can people expect when they come back to church?
~ keeping safe and compliant
~ Loads of blessings as we dwell together in unity
Discussion Questions
- Look again at the list of pandemic expressions people don’t want to hear again. Are there others you’d add to the list?
What have you enjoyed / disliked about the restrictions?
Read Philippians 4:11-13 and 1 Tim. 6:6-8. How’s your contentment level been on a good day / not-so-good day? Discuss ways that you could “learn contentment” like the apostle Paul.
From the things you’ve learned during the lockdowns, what do you want to take with you into the future?
Discuss how each of you feel about reopening. What are some of the things you can do to help you ease back into life?
Read the list of things that our church community has achieved during lockdown. What inspires you the most? Is there anything here that you’d like to be involved with in the future?
Read through the list of “One another” statements. Discuss two or three of them that you believe will be particularly important in this opening-up season.