Beyond: Devotional Guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents INTRODUCTION

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WEEK ONE | CALLED TO GO FURTHER

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WEEK TWO | SERVE AND EQUIP THE GLOBAL CHURCH

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WEEK THREE | STRENGTHEN OUR CAMPUSES AND COMMUNITIES

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WEEK FOUR | EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

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FINAL REFLECTIONS

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CLOSING PRAYER

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INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Beyond Devotional, a guide to help our church reflect on how God is calling us to serve Him in deeper, more impactful ways. Together, as we pray, read Scripture and reflect on how to apply His Word to our daily lives, we’ll discover the many ways God challenges us to go further in faith, love and service. When we do that, we’ll also experience a heavenly Father who can do far more than what we ask or think, according to the Holy Spirit's power at work within us.

This resource is structured as a weekly devotional with a focus on a unique theme each week. Designed for personal or family study, it encourages us to listen intentionally to God’s voice as we align our hearts with His purpose. Beyond these weeks, we encourage you to carry forward these reflections for the next three years of the Beyond campaign.

We are grateful for the steps of faith you take to serve the Lord and the ways you will contribute to the kingdom during this season of growth.

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WEEK ONE

CALLED TO GO FURTHER

SCRIPTURE FOCUS “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

CAMPAIGN FOCUS POINT: GOING BEYOND For nearly 50 years, God has blessed The Woodlands Methodist Church with a thriving and faithful ministry. At a time when many churches face decline, our congregation continues to flourish. That’s why we believe now is the moment to step beyond, not to build an earthly legacy but to further God’s kingdom.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we take His call seriously: to be His witnesses in our city, our county, our nation, and to the ends of the earth.

This campaign isn’t just about constructing buildings; it’s about reaching people for Christ.

While we plan to invest in updated facilities, new worship spaces and impactful programs, our ultimate mission is to create a place of belonging, foster spiritual growth and lead people into a transformative relationship with Jesus.

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Beyond our local church, we are committed to expanding our global mission efforts by partnering with ministries around the world.

Together, we can bring hope, resources and the love of Christ to communities in need. This is our opportunity to answer God’s call, make a lasting impact, and live out our faith, together, both locally and globally.

All of this is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit convicts, equips, comforts and propels us to move beyond our comfort zones. True transformation happens when we resist the urge to play it safe and step boldly into the unknown, leaving behind the familiarity of our own personal Jerusalem. God is calling us to go further, dig deeper and trust Him as we boldly go beyond.

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But we can’t do this alone. We need you. We need your prayers, your involvement and your willingness to ask, “How is God calling me to be part of this mission?”

This is more than a campaign — it’s a movement of faith. Let us move forward together, trusting that God will guide us every step of the way. Together, we will go beyond.

REFLECTION God’s call to go beyond often feels bold, even intimidating. Yet, the Bible reminds us that we are equipped with the Holy Spirit’s power to fulfill His purpose. Just as Jesus commissioned His disciples to go “to the ends of the earth,” He calls us to step beyond our comfort zones and into the unknown, trusting in Him every step of the way.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

PRAYER

1. How is God calling you to “go further” in your faith and spiritual journey?

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to go beyond where we are. Equip us with boldness and courage to follow Your lead, and strengthen our faith as we take steps into the unknown. May we be

2. What fears or obstacles have kept you from stepping out in faith?

witnesses of Your love and grace to the world. Amen.

3. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you?

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WEEK TWO

SERVE AND EQUIP THE GLOBAL CHURCH

SCRIPTURE FOCUS “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19

CAMPAIGN FOCUS POINT: GOING FURTHER IN MISSIONS At The Woodlands Methodist Church, we often say: “Missions is the heartbeat of our church.”

This belief drives our commitment to remain faithful to our calling, looking upward to God and outward to the world. In this new season of ministry, we feel God leading us to go beyond — to extend our reach and deepen our impact as we partner with ministries near and far to serve those in need.

As part of our Beyond campaign, we are excited to support three remarkable ministry partners:

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Montgomery County Food Bank: Since 1985, this organization has been fighting hunger, providing more than 8 million meals each month to families in need. Through the Beyond campaign, we will contribute to their expansion, helping them serve even more people in our community.

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Global Methodist Church: As a member of this global denomination, we partner with like-minded churches worldwide, including in Latin America. By supporting church planters, we help establish thriving faith communities that will share Christ’s love for generations.

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Zoe Empowers: Since 2004, Zoe Empowers has transformed the lives of over 200,000 orphaned children and youth-led families, equipping them to become self-sufficient.

Through the Beyond campaign, we can empower hundreds more, giving them tools to build secure, independent futures grounded in hope and dignity.

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We believe that every believer is called to experience a transformational shift of heart.

When you follow Jesus Christ, your faith is no longer solely about you; it’s about serving others.

It’s about sharing the Gospel, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and empowering the poor. This is where the church fulfills its true purpose.

Scripture reminds us we are the hands and feet of Jesus, His representatives on Earth. This calling carries both a blessing and a responsibility. The blessing? Jesus is with us wherever we go. The responsibility? The work of building His kingdom is ours to carry forward. And this mission continues until the whole world knows the grace of Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION Missions is the heartbeat of the church, and our call to “go” ensures the gospel reaches every corner of the world. God has blessed us as a body to serve others — building up local congregations, equipping leaders and providing resources to empower Christian communities globally. These actions are not just tasks but acts of worship and obedience.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

PRAYER

1. How has your faith played a role in helping and serving others locally and around the world?

Lord Jesus, thank You for the opportunity to serve the global church. Show us how we can take part in equipping and empowering believers across nations to grow Your kingdom. May our efforts

2. What gifts or resources can you offer to support the global church?

bring You glory and uplift those in need of Your Word. Amen.

3. Reflect on how missions might impact future generations for Christ.

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WEEK THREE

STRENGTHEN OUR CAMPUSES AND COMMUNITIES AND EXPAND DISCIPLESHIP ENGAGEMENT

SCRIPTURE FOCUS ...to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith.

– Ephesians 4:12–13

CAMPAIGN FOCUS: BUILDING FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST At our core, we believe that when people gather in faith, they become the living, breathing body of Christ. This conviction drives us to continually improve upon our ministries and facilities to support the spiritual and communal growth of all who enter.

This year, we are excited to take big steps forward by investing in spaces that foster connection, worship and discipleship.

The Loft worship community continues to see remarkable growth, both numerically and spiritually. To support this, we are renovating its worship facility, creating a dynamic space where this community can flourish for generations.

On The Woodlands Campus, The Woodlands Methodist en Español, a thriving, fast-growing part of our church, currently meets in the Recreation 0 6

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Center. To strengthen this ministry, we are building a dedicated worship space within the Loft building, allowing for continued growth, worship and impact.

At The Church at Woodforest, a cornerstone of the Woodforest community for nearly a decade, we are adding classrooms for discipleship and expanding the worship center to meet the needs of its growing congregation and to ensure faith can deepen for years to come.

We also celebrate a major milestone: The Church at Montgomery will soon have its first dedicated church home, a sanctuary where faith and community can thrive.

At Covenant Church at Creekside, planned upgrades include inviting communal spaces, expanded parking, and campuswide improvements to F U R T H E R

prepare for a new season of growth and service.

Our church has been abundantly blessed with growth at a time when many churches are struggling. We see this as a sacred responsibility to faithfully steward God’s resources and ensure that our campuses and worship communities remain strong, thriving and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

But the church is not just buildings. The church is about people, including you! As we build and renovate, we encourage you to remember your membership vows. When you joined, you committed to support our church through your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. If we all live out these vows together, we are confident our church will flourish for generations to come.

REFLECTION God has placed us in our local communities with purpose. Within these spaces, He calls us to strengthen the body of Christ — our families, neighbors and church members. By investing in discipleship and community outreach, we reflect the unity and love of Christ, encouraging all to grow in their faith journeys.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

PRAYER

1. Reflect on your membership vows: Will you be faithful to this church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?

God, thank You for placing us within our communities and campuses to be a light for You. Help us to equip one another in love and unity as we build relationships

2. What role can our church play in uniting and building up the body of Christ?

that glorify You. May our works of service reflect Your kingdom here on Earth.

Amen.

3. How can you deepen your commitment to discipleship within your community?

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WEEK FOUR

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

SCRIPTURE FOCUS Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

CAMPAIGN FOCUS POINT: SPACES TO LEARN AND THRIVE A church that does not see children as its future is a church without a future. At The Woodlands Methodist Church, we don’t just see our students as the leaders of tomorrow; we recognize them as the leaders of today. Nurturing and strengthening the faith of the next generation, from age 3 to 23, is a vision for our church.

In support, we are renovating our NextGen Students spaces in the Loft Building, creating dynamic environments where youth can grow in faith and forge meaningful connections. A newly designed outdoor communal area will provide additional space for gathering, fellowship and leadership development.

We are also expanding the classroom facilities at The Woodlands Methodist School, reinforcing our commitment to raise up the next generation through exceptional Christian education.

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While physical spaces are important for spiritual growth, what our children and students truly need are faithful mentors, individuals from older generations who are willing to pray for, guide and encourage them. Even if you don’t have a child in NextGen, you play a vital role in shaping the faith of the next generation. Psalm 145 calls us to declare God’s works to those who come after us, and as we do, we’ll find their faith, passion and love for Christ inspiring us in return.

Through these efforts, we believe God will raise up bold, Christ-centered leaders, not only pastors, church planters, worship leaders and ministry workers but also teachers, engineers, business owners and professionals who will carry their faith into every sphere of society.

Together, we are building a foundation to empower the next generation to live boldly for Christ and transform the world.

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REFLECTION The next generation is not only the future of the church but also its present. God calls us to equip young men and women to lead boldly in faith, wherever they are planted — in ministry, workplaces and beyond. By pouring into them today, mentoring and modeling Christ-like character, we ensure they can carry forth the mission of the gospel tomorrow.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

PRAYER

1. How can you encourage and mentor younger generations in their faith?

Lord, thank You for the privilege of investing in the lives of the next generation. May we be faithful in equipping

2. Reflect on how older generations in the church have impacted your faith.

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encouragement and love. Empower them to boldly live out their callings and to make disciples in every area of life. Amen.

3. How can you equip the next generation to lead with courage?

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FINAL REFLECTIONS LOOKING AHEAD The Beyond campaign is an ongoing opportunity to deepen our faith and expand our impact. Over the next three years, we encourage you to revisit these Scriptures and prayers.

Seek ways to integrate service, missions and discipleship into your life. Reflect on how God is continuing to call you beyond what you can imagine.

RENEWING PRAYERS Take time each week to pray over the following themes: •

Week 1: Obedience to and trust in God’s call

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Week 2: Gratitude for opportunities to serve globally

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Week 3: Unity and growth in local communities

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Week 4: Wisdom and calling for future generations

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CLOSING PRAYER Heavenly Father, as we look beyond today, we ask for Your guidance and grace. Lead us through the power of the Holy Spirit as we serve Your kingdom through Christ-centered missions, discipleship and outreach. May we glorify Your name and inspire others to love and follow You deeply.

Amen.

This devotional guide is designed to encourage reflection, action and spiritual growth.

Thank you for walking with us as we go beyond together.

May we continue to rely on God’s strength and faithfully answer His call.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

THE BOOK OF ACTS CHAPTER ONE, VERSE Eight

w Called to go Further 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive | The Woodlands, Texas 77380 | 281.297.5900 | thewoodlandsmethodist.org

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