IKI TAIMI // Learning to love outside the walls

SHARE

verb
1. have a portion of (something) with another or others.
MUSIC // 'Love Like This' by The Belonging Co.
MUSIC // 'There is None Like You Medley' by Jared Reynolds
MUSIC // 'Break Every Chain' by Tasha Cobbs & Will Reagan
WATCH // A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood
Iki talks about Mr Rogers. You can watch his story in the movie 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood'.
WATCH // Mr. Rogers Advice
Be sure to watch this through to the end. Know that we all make mistakes. Like Mr Rogers let’s be quick to recognize them and say we are sorry.
REFLECT // Luke 18:35
In what ways do we pay to belong?
How do we qualify?
Who are we telling to be quiet?
How are we protecting God? 
What have we built our walls out of?
 Do we want to knock them down or are we into building them up?
REFLECT// Luke 19
What are some groups that you belong to?
What did it take for you to be included?
 Has anyone in your group ever been excluded?
What caused them to be rejected?
LISTEN // 'Somewhere I Belong' by Linkin Park
Iki tells the story of the people outside the gate and how they are crying out to be heard and seen.  If the words from this Linkin Park song resonate with you, know that you belong in the heart of Jesus. If you haven't felt belonging in the communities you are a part of,  help us build a community in Jesus name that listens in love and encourages others to do the same.

MAKE

verb
1. form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; create.
2. cause (something) to exist or come about; bring about.

“We must be willing to be intentional like Jesus"

MAKE // Cross equals love
Draw the cross equals love sign and put it somewhere that you see it multiple times daily. Know that the cross qualifies everyone to be loved as Jesus loves them. As followers of Jesus what are we doing daily that shows we are doing this.

“Love the people the way Jesus wants us to love”

MAKE // New life out of junk
These cans are classified as junk. Once used they are thrown in the trash. We can feel like we are useless, discarded like trash. These cans have been given a new coat of paint and put to use again and again, bringing kids together in a game of whatever. Love does this. Love changes how we appear on the outside, heals our hurt and gives us a purpose on the inside. Go live in love and bring joy wherever you go.
Activities sourced from A Girl and a Glue Gun

TRY

verb
1. make an attempt or effort to do something. Use, test, or do (something new or different) in order to see if it is suitable, effective, or pleasant.

“To be able to experience each other’s story. To be intentional. To come out of our walls into the uncomfortable zone where we’re with someone that’s different and to experience what they’re going through ushers in belonging together.”

TRY // Building a wall
Try building a wall from shoe boxes or wooden blocks or couch cushions. Have someone sit on the other side of the wall where the wall blocks you from seeing them clearly. Have them tell you a story about themselves. Listen closely. Did you learn anything new about them? Was it hard to focus on what they were saying without seeing them? Now tell them a story about yourself. Ask them the same questions you just answered. Now together knock down the wall.

“Now you and I really belong to each other cause you experienced my story. You own my story now. Now we belong to each other.”

TRY // Checking out the wild life around you
What are the things that make them the same?
What are the things that make them different?
The cross is the one thing that makes us all the same, the gift given to all. The gift of forgiveness.
How are we regifting that?

PLAY

verb
1. engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation
PLAY // Scattergories
Have you played the game Scattergories before? In this game we try to put things in groups as quickly as we can. Know that we are all one group. The Children of God. Some of us just don't know it yet. How can we play in a way that shows everyone they are a child of God. What an amazing God! The Creator made something so BIG like the universe, but also considers the little things, like breaking bread and water into wine. Christ is enough for me.