Week 3 - We Speak
Day 15 - 21
Day 15 - we speak
When the story of Jesus takes root in our lives, we are naturally compelled to share it. The power that has accomplished our salvation is offered freely to anyone who would believe, and God’s plan involves us sharing this good news boldly. READ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 REFLECT -What does it mean for the gospel to be the “power of God for salvation?” -Have I practiced putting into words the ways God’s power is transforming my life? Can I articulate the redemptive story of Jesus? -What does it look like for me to live unashamed of the story of Jesus? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I recognize your great plan and power in my own life. Give me eyes to see the places where your gospel is at work, and deepen my awareness of how my life is being transformed by You. Help me to trust your saving power and give me the strength and boldness to share Your power with others. In your name I pray, amen. ___ We SPEAK in 3 places: the home, the church, and our city. We will spend the next 6 days looking at speaking in each of these contexts.
Day 16 - we speak...at home
The gospel shapes and gives purpose to our speech. We are called to use our words to graciously encourage others, beginning with those in our home. READ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 REFLECT -What is the type of speech that builds up? What is the type of speech that corrupts? -How do my words reflect the ways God has been faithful and gracious to me? How can I testify to His faithfulness in the ways I speak to my family? -What are some ways that I can graciously encourage my family today? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, thank you for being gracious to me. Help me to recognize, in humility, the ways you have poured out your kindness on me. Lead me into thankful praise for your salvation. Guide my words to be a humble reflection of what your grace is accomplishing in my life. In your name I pray, amen.
Day 17 - we speak...at home
Our words are an indication of our heart’s treasure. Jesus tells us that the things we say help us measure the condition of what’s inside. When we invite the gospel to shape what we love and desire, that will manifest itself in our speech. READ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 REFLECT -What does it mean to have “good treasure” in your heart? -Examine the conversations you’ve had over the past 24 hours with your spouse and/or children. What do the things you’ve spoken indicate about the condition of your heart? -When discussing how Jesus is working in your life with your family members, does it feel natural? Or awkward and forced? -Where can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring growth in this area? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I praise You for your goodness. Because I trust You, I commit the desires of my heart to You. Shape my affections and turn my passions to align with Yours. May my words be an ongoing reflection of the ways You are convicting me of sin and assuring me of Your salvation. In your name I pray, amen.
Day 18 - we speak...at church
The heartbeat of the church is the spoken Word of God. As God’s revealed truth is spoken, examined, and absorbed throughout the life of the church, it equips us to do the work of ministry. READ http://...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 REFLECT -What does it mean, biblically speaking, to reprove? To rebuke? To exhort? -For most of us, preaching the word doesn’t mean getting on a stage and delivering a sermon. But, we are all called to share the Word. What relationships am I developing where I can patiently teach others using the words of scripture? -What does it mean to preach “in season and out of season?” GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, thank you for Your Word. In your kindness, You have provided your church a means of knowing Your heart and will. Help me to prioritize the study of what You have revealed, and may Your words become my words. In Your name I pray, amen.
Day 19 - we speak...at church
Discipleship is the ongoing process of people learning to follow Jesus, and in turn teaching others how to follow Jesus. For as long as we are in Christ, we will always have something to learn, and something to share. READ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 REFLECT -Who are the people who have been instrumental in articulating the story of Jesus for you? Who has discipled you? -Who in your church is discipling you now? -Do your weekly rhythms include time for intentional discipleship? Who are you teaching to observe the commands of Jesus? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I recognize that your plan for spiritual maturity in my life involves both receiving and giving. As You work in me, lead me into situations and relationships where I can share your transforming presence with others in my church. Give me courage to speak in ways that are truthful and life-giving. In Your name I pray, amen.
Day 20 - we speak...in the city
Our presence in the world should inspire gospel conversations. The life of a person transformed by Jesus simply looks different. Our hopeful, non-anxious presence stands out in a world marked by hopeless existentialism. READ http://...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 REFLECT -Do people who know me ever ask me about my faith? How do I respond? -When my friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc talk to me about their struggles and questions about life, do I take the opportunity to connect them to the good news of Jesus? -What does it look like for me to share my faith with gentleness and respect? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT Lord, I thank you for the hope I have in you. Your gospel has redeemed my sinful, selfish existence and given me a promise and a purpose. Help me to think missionally and strategically in my community and neighborhood involvement. Give me opportunities to speak boldly of the hope I have found in You. In Your name I pray, amen.
Day 21 - we speak...in the city
The good news of what Jesus has accomplished is a spoken message. While aspects of the story of God can be communicated without words, ultimately the way God has chosen to reveal the specifics of His nature and purpose is through words. God’s chosen means of saving people and building His kingdom is through you and I speaking - not simply showing - the truth of the gospel. READ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 REFLECT -When was the last time I spoke to a non-Christian about Jesus? -Think about the people in your life who are not Christians. Think about any upcoming interactions you may have with them. What is one question you can ask that could potentially lead to an opportunity to share your faith? -If your non-Christian friends do not hear about Jesus from you, how will they hear the good news of the gospel? GUIDED PRAYER PROMPT: Lord, I am grateful for all those who have courageously and obediently shared the gospel with me. My belief in You is a result of the Holy Spirit at work through them. As You have used them, I ask You to please use me. I acknowledge and accept that You have saved me to be on mission. Give me wisdom and urgency as I look for ways to preach the gospel. Most of all, give me a love for those who are lost. In Your name I pray, amen.