16 Aug 2026
Rhythms: Sharing the Good News in Everyday Life - Begin With Prayer - Jeff Jewett
Before Jesus chose the twelve apostles, He spent the night in prayer. Prayer wasn’t an afterthought to His mission. It was where the mission began. In this message, we’ll look at how Jesus calls ordinary people to carry His light into the places where they already live. If we want to love, serve, and bless the people around us, we begin the same way Jesus did: with prayer. This week’s challenge is simple: learn the names of the people God has placed around you, pray for them by name, and ask God to show you how you can love and bless them.
Big Idea: To bless your neighbor, start with prayer.
Primary Texts:
Luke 6:12-16
[12] One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. [13] When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: [14] Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, [15] Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, [16] Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Matthew 5:14-16
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Outline:
1. Jesus Begins with Prayer, Luke 6:12–16
2. You Are the Light of the World, Matthew 5:14–16
3. We Begin with Prayer
This Week’s Tool: “Who Is My Neighbor?” Map
1. Write down the names of eight people who live near you.
2. If you do not know their names, make it your first step to learn them.
3. Pray for them by name every day.
4. Ask God to show you opportunities to know them, encourage them, serve them, and bless them.
Questions:
Open: What is something you regularly do before making an important decision?
Kids: Who is someone God has put around you that you can pray for this week?
Right after Jesus was baptized but before He began His ministry, He went into the wilderness to fast and pray (Luke 4). In Luke 6:12-16, we find that He prayed before He selected His disciples. What do you notice from these examples about the emphasis Jesus placed on time alone with God in prayer?
What do you find most challenging or most helpful about prayer?
Prayer is a conversation in which we talk to God, and He talks to us. Have you ever felt prompted by God to reach out to someone? How did you respond? What was the result?
Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” What are some practical ways we can let the light of Jesus shine in our everyday relationships?
What are some things that can keep our light “under a bowl” — fear, comfort, busyness, indifference, or something else? Which one do you struggle with most?
The sermon challenges us to learn our neighbors’ names and pray for them by name. What could change in us when we consistently pray for the same people?
Neighborhoods to Nations:
Use the B.L.E.S.S. tool provided to write down the names of eight neighbors where you live, work, or play. Then begin with prayer!
As you think about the people on your “Who Is My Neighbor?” map, is there one person God may be prompting you to know, encourage, serve, or bless? What could your next step be?
