JESUS SAID…
“I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you…”
John 13:15
“In this world you will have trouble…”
John 16:33
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”
Matthew 11:28
“I am the resurrection and the life…”
John 11:25
The words of Jesus are wise, sometimes controversial, deeply comforting, and often challenging.
This spring we’re looking at some of the most famous words that Jesus said and asking the question, what is Jesus calling us to do right now?
Take the Weekly Challenge
Each week during Lent we’ll be doing a Jesus Said challenge together.
Anyone can participate and each challenge can be done as an individual, as a couple, or together as a family.
Step 2: Do the Weekly Challenge
The challenge may take a little bit of planning, but can usually be completed in less than a day.
Step 3: Tell Your Story
After completing the challenge tell us what you did for the challenge by emailing JesusSaid@gulfshores.church. Photos and short videos are also encouraged!
Challenge 1: Serve Someone
Be intentional about serving someone this week.
Serve your spouse, your kids, your parents, or your teacher.
Serve your neighbor or serve your community.
Challenge 2: Do Something Small
Do something small that can have a meaningful impact on another person.
Call someone you care about or haven’t spoke to in a long time. Send a text message. Offer a word of encouragement. Write a handwritten letter or give a small gift.
Challenge 3: Pray For Someone
Write down someone’s name on an index card, sticky note, or piece of paper and put it somewhere where you can see it everyday. Commit to praying for that person everyday over the next week.
Challenge 4: Do Something Restful
Do something this week that brings you rest.
This could be going somewhere peaceful, getting some time alone, sleeping nine hours every night, or staying off of your phone for a dedicated time.
Challenge 5: Random Act of Kindness
Do a random act of kindness by getting a bag, filling it, and then blessing someone with it. Your bag could contain homemade treats, candy, a piece of art, a new Bible, or any other type of gift.
Challenge 6: Worship this Week
Join us for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Sunday Easter worship!
Challenge Accepted!
“I am praying for a teacher at our school.”
“I have chosen to pray for Rusty, Julianna and Dan this week. I know we were to pick one person, but I picked to pray for all three and will continue daily.”
“I ordered a book for a friend that I knew she would like and had it shipped to her home with a note of how thankful I am for her. My oldest son went to the arcade and won 1300 worth of tickets and gave all of them to a stranger so that he could pick out prizes. My middle son spent the night with a friend and read a book to his friend’s baby brother. My youngest son took 3 quarters from his own piggy bank before dinner at a restaurant and shared with his brothers so that they could each get a gumball from the gumball machine.”
“While doing my exercises at a local rehab center, I heard a lady softly crying because her therapy was causing her a lot of pain. The opportunity opened up where I could safely approach her and offer my support and told her I would say a prayer for her. I could tell she genuinely felt my sincere concern, but she probably didn’t know how much better I felt…prayers are powerful“
“I have been making phone calls to chat & check in on shut ins and those in elderly / senior housing.“
“One of my many hobbies is making handmade cards. I brought a bunch along with me, more than I usually needed, but I was given a challenge on Sunday and I thought it would make good use of my cards. On Tuesday, I decided to write a note of friendship to several of these friends, well, it turned out to be quite a few as my list grew and grew and I used up most of my cards. My husband and I had so much fun, riding our bikes around the park and delivering them. We got many hugs, and thank yous. Everyone expects cards for Christmas and their birthdays, but it is just so much fun to receive a card for basically no reason at all, just friendship!”
“A letter was sent to each of our grandchildren listing God’s many blessings on them. We reminded them how much we loved them and just wanted them to know”
“I rearranged Sunday’s church flowers to go to those not able to get out. I also visited a friend who celebrated a 90th birthday and & took flowers to friend with broken leg.“
“As I was heading to the door of my work, I see a sweet elderly lady with a cane getting out of the passenger side of her car very slowly. I had the honor of holding the door for her and walking her to the doctor’s office door. I love when God puts me somewhere at the right time to help someone.“
“I gave a generous tip to the gentlemen who came to update my internet connection“
“My son took his youngest brother to the park while his middle brother was at baseball practice. My other son held the door open at school for someone”
“My friend hasn’t filed tax returns since 2017 and I’m helping them prepare and file past due returns as well as the current year return.”
“My husband and I try to serve each other every day. I guess it is a habit after 28 years.
Today my husband was the best. I thank God for him every day“
“Our family had to have some small construction done around our house. When the job was finished, there was trash, boxes, nails, etc littered around the house. To help the construction team, my kids and I picked up the boxes and the trash so they could have an easier end to this job. It was fun having a specific example with my kids of something that isn’t ‘our job’ but it is nice to be helpful and it was greatly appreciated.”
“I made a meal and a loaf of bread for a neighbor whose husband had surgery last week.
Such a simple thing but she was so moved“
“I serve every Monday by volunteering at the Christian Service Center in the food pantry. I collect soup from my neighborhood on an ongoing basis and donate it weekly also. This week I also bought two tickets for the Spaghetti dinner for a needy client of the Center.“
“There is a lady that lives across the street from me who is 92 years old. She lives with her caregiver but she’s as spunky as ever. She happens to be a friend of mine’s mother so I hear lots of great stories about her. I’ve lived in my house for 2 years now and have been meaning to take her some food or treats but haven’t gotten around to it. Thankfully this challenge presented itself so I made it my mission to take her dinner on Monday night. While they didn’t answer the phone and I had to leave it on the bench outside, it meant a lot for me to be able to serve this sweet lady.“
“Our youth ministry sorted canned goods for our Bread Ministry”
“I having been putting my neighbor’s garbage can up for her for sometime now. She is 83, had hip surgery and was using a walker. Her driveway is steep and it was almost impossible for her to navigate the walker and the can. Also, she lives alone.“
“My husband and I were servers at the Christian Service Center Spaghetti supper. We enjoy helping this very worthy cause as it helps so many people who are down and out.“