KINGDOM OF GOD

• Attachment is a strong reciprocal emotional bond between an infant and a primary caregiver
• Schaffer and Emerson's 1964 study on attachment aimed to identify stages of attachment and find a pattern in the development of attachment between infants and parents, involving 60 babies from Glasgow
• Participants in the study were 60 babies from Glasgow, and the procedure involved analyzing interactions between infants and carers
• The babies of parents or carers who displayed 'sensitive responsiveness' were more likely to have formed an attachment
• The Kingdom of God is defined as the realm in which God's reign may be experienced, with the primary meaning of the Hebrew word 'malkuth' in the Old Testament and the Greek word 'basileia' in the New Testament being the rank, authority, and sovereignty exercised by a king
• Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God as the central image of his message and the heart of his mission and ministry
• Jesus used parables to explain the Kingdom of God, with Matthew presenting 5 brief kingdom parables where he compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, yeast mixed with flour, a hidden treasure in a field, a valuable pearl, and a net with all kinds of fish
• The parable of the Mustard Seed symbolizes that every good thing contributes to building up God's kingdom, starting small and growing into a big community
• The parable of the Yeast symbolizes that God is moving in ways we may not notice, and His work arises from within, from the grace within our hearts and minds
• The parable of the Hidden Treasure signifies that the Kingdom of God is in our midst, touching us where we are and as we are
• The parable of the Pearl illustrates that the Kingdom of God is so precious that it is worth more than all things we own, giving us priceless joy
• The parable of the Net symbolizes "spiritual communion," inviting the lost to enter into "being found" again
• The Church's teaching on the Kingdom of God describes it as the gift of salvation, offering pardon to sinners and eternal life, a banquet, a table fellowship, and a joyful communion with the Lord and with one's fellow beings
• The Kingdom of God is already here but not yet fully, present in human history and society, identifiable by Christ's norms, distinct from society and the world
• The Kingdom of God is something already here but not yet in its fulfillment in glory, represented by the coming of the Kingdom, in process, with the Church serving as the seed, sign, and instrument
• In the Lord's Prayer, we say "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," indicating the Kingdom of God is already here but progressing towards its full perfection
• The NIV Bible Commentary states that the Kingdom of God is already present (e.g., Matthew 3:2) but is progressing towards its full and final perfection
• The problematic world, with issues like poverty, disasters, war, oppression, disease, and more, doesn't align with the image of the Kingdom of God
• The call for mission is embedded in humanitarian acts, which emerge as acts of love, and discussions about our possible roles in actualizing the Kingdom of God on earth often revolve around these actions
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) teaches the importance of showing mercy and helping those in need, with Jesus instructing to "Go and do likewise"
• True fasting, as described in Isaiah 58:6-10, involves actions like loosening the chains of injustice, sharing food with the hungry, providing shelter, and clothing the naked
• According to 1 John 3:17-18, love should be shown not just with words but with actions and in truth
• Matthew 25:35,36,40 emphasizes the importance of helping those in need, stating that whatever is done for the least of others is done for the Lord
• Ephesians 4:28 highlights the importance of working to have something to share with those in need
• Initiatives like the Red Cross Movement, Mother Teresa's Missionary of Charity, Samaritan's Purse, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, UNHCR, and Handicap International are examples of organizations working towards humanitarian causes
• Individuals are encouraged to find their unique role in contributing to making the world a better place, even if it means starting with small acts of kindness
• Mustard Seed- The Kingdom had a small beginning - Now grown into a big community
• Treasure Hidden in Field - The Kingdom is worth sacrificing everything for
• Pearl of Great Price - The Kingdom is priceless
• Leaven - The Kingdom has an expanding influence
• Net Caught Fish - The Kingdom has many different kinds of people