WEEKLY SERMON REFLECTIONS

Each week, take 5 days to dive deeper into the heart of our Sunday sermons! Through key insights and scripture, this format will allow for further personal reflection and spiritual growth. Keeping this at the dinner table, discuss it with family and/or friends.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK:

"Lord, help us to align our hearts with your wisdom and truth. Teach us to be slow to speak and instead ready and willing to hear others and navigate the nuances of every situation. Fill our hearts and minds with your love and grace and help us be an outpouring of your love and grave towards others. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

DAY
01

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God”… “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

-JAMES 1:19-20 & 26

REFLECTION:

We need to give thought and effort into preparing our hearts for our interactions with one another instead of letting the moment dictate our response.

RESPONSE:

How can you invite God into the moments prior to your interactions with others, so that you are more apt to heed this advice? Prayer should be the first step.

DAY
02

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

-COLOSSIANS 4:5–6

REFLECTION:

We are God’s representatives. We have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a way that gives opportunity to the moment that God may use for His glory. It will require us to slow down and listen for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

RESPONSE:

When you interact with others, do your words and actions reflect Christ to them? If not, ask the Lord to give you the wisdom you need in every situation.

DAY
03

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

-ACTS 17:16

REFLECTION:

Even when we feel provoked—and we will—or when we are justifiably upset, we are still called to respond in a way that brings life to the situation and creates space for God to work within it.

RESPONSE:

"When you encounter situations and interactions in the world that provoke your spirit, how can you respond in a way that reflects Paul’s example of engaging with love, wisdom and grace?"

DAY
04

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areop-agite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

-ACTS 17:32–34

REFLECTION:

Knowing how to engage each person or group of people in a way that they hear God’s love best…will open up opportunities for you to share His truth. You never know how God will turn a situation or a relationship around and surprise you with something good that comes of it. 

RESPONSE:

Have you ever instead decided to be welcoming–setting aside your differences– and watched as someone began to open up and become receptive to learning about the Lord because of it? If you haven’t experienced this yet, take a moment to imagine it. Pray and ask God to open your heart and use you in this way.

DAY
05

Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.

-PROVERBS 22:24–25

REFLECTION:

Responding as someone given to anger will only ensnare you and others in such a way that blocks and prevents moments for God to bring flourishing.

RESPONSE:

"Are there relationships in your life that might be influencing you in negative ways? How can you set healthy boundaries to protect your heart and stay aligned with God’s wisdom?"