NextLevel Online: The Way of the Cross

Woman, Behold Your Son: From Isolation to Family

It might seem that the Way of the Cross is a very lonely journey. That’s often how we describe it. Jesus seems to be entirely alone on the cross, but, surprisingly, in other ways, He isn’t. In the midst of this isolating world, what kind of relationships can God’s people encourage? This session discusses how we are a family of disciples, taking this road trip together, following Jesus on the Way of the Cross.
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Woman, Behold Your Son: From Isolation to Family

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
18:46Session 3 VideoSession 3 Video

  • It might seem that the Way of the Cross is a very lonely journey. That’s often how we describe it — in individual terms (my life, my story, my journey with God). And in many ways, Jesus is entirely alone on the cross; but, surprisingly, in other ways, He isn’t.

    • While discipleship is personal, it does not have to be individual — even the Son of God needs emotional support.

  • In this midst of this isolating world, what kind of relationships can God’s people encourage?

    • One of the most uncomfortable things about Jesus for us, the church in America anyway, is what He consistently says about families — and how He messes with families.

  • For these, for all in this world who are isolated and lonely, “family” can’t just be a metaphor for the church — the church quite literally needs to become their family.

    • Psalm 68:6 “God sets the lonely in families.”
    • 1 Tim 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
    • Jesus, from the cross, tells John that their relationship is no longer teacher/student — they’re now brothers (they share a mother).

  • But we need to realize that it takes a measure of risk.

    • If I invite someone into my life — to treat as a family member — I’m giving that person power to hurt me. Emotionally. Spiritually. In all kinds of ways. This is why church splits often feel like a divorce. That’s what they are.
    • To treat someone as a family member gives up a measure of control — and that's why we don’t do it. That’s why we isolate ourselves, sit in coffee shops with earbuds in, staring at computer screens.
    • So here’s your assignment for this session — take a risk with a relationship. Show hospitality. Give up control over your home and your stuff by inviting someone to share them, and when you say “make yourself at home,” really mean it.
    • Because discipleship may be personal, but it’s never merely individual. We’re a family of disciples, taking this road trip together, following Jesus on the Way of the Cross

Woman, Behold Your Son: From Isolation to Family Instructions

Lesson
18:46Session 3 VideoSession 3 Video

  • It might seem that the Way of the Cross is a very lonely journey. That’s often how we describe it — in individual terms (my life, my story, my journey with God). And in many ways, Jesus is entirely alone on the cross; but, surprisingly, in other ways, He isn’t.

    • While discipleship is personal, it does not have to be individual — even the Son of God needs emotional support.

  • In this midst of this isolating world, what kind of relationships can God’s people encourage?

    • One of the most uncomfortable things about Jesus for us, the church in America anyway, is what He consistently says about families — and how He messes with families.

  • For these, for all in this world who are isolated and lonely, “family” can’t just be a metaphor for the church — the church quite literally needs to become their family.

    • Psalm 68:6 “God sets the lonely in families.”
    • 1 Tim 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
    • Jesus, from the cross, tells John that their relationship is no longer teacher/student — they’re now brothers (they share a mother).

  • But we need to realize that it takes a measure of risk.

    • If I invite someone into my life — to treat as a family member — I’m giving that person power to hurt me. Emotionally. Spiritually. In all kinds of ways. This is why church splits often feel like a divorce. That’s what they are.
    • To treat someone as a family member gives up a measure of control — and that's why we don’t do it. That’s why we isolate ourselves, sit in coffee shops with earbuds in, staring at computer screens.
    • So here’s your assignment for this session — take a risk with a relationship. Show hospitality. Give up control over your home and your stuff by inviting someone to share them, and when you say “make yourself at home,” really mean it.
    • Because discipleship may be personal, but it’s never merely individual. We’re a family of disciples, taking this road trip together, following Jesus on the Way of the Cross