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:

“Thank you Lord for your grace that not only gives me the assurance of my salvation, but that empowers me to do the hard things in this life that you have called me to. Let it be what my heart is fixated on, so that out of that place I may flourish in the most important things, which is to love you and share your love with others around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DAY
01

She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. ... She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.

-PROVERBS 31:17 & 20

REFLECTION:

To GIRD is to take personal initiative to prepare oneself for something difficult or challenging. In this example the woman is strengthening her arm, not just to strengthen, but to do so in such a way that she may extend her reach and meet the needs of others around her.

RESPONSE:

What initiatives do you need to take, in order that you may be strengthened in body and spirit, so that you are equipped to help others in need?

DAY
02

...for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.

-LUKE 9:48

REFLECTION:

We are not just to flex to flex, or to engage in flex-offs with other people. This is a misuse of strength. Jesus says that in order to be great, we need to become least. We need to serve others with the strength we have been empowered with.

RESPONSE:

Have you ever sought to win an argument (a flex-off) no matter the cost? How could you respond differently in those moments to better use your strength for God’s good instead of destruction? 

DAY
03

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are also doing.

-1 THESSALONIANS 5:11

REFLECTION:

Strengthening your arm just to be self-sufficient is a losing game. If strengthening our arm is for the purpose of being able to extend to others, then the strength of our “arm” is only as good as the strength of the hand.

RESPONSE:

Who can you reach out to with the strength that God has empowered you with, to encourage someone else? Who right now do you know that could use some encouragement or help to meet a need in some way?

DAY
04

Read Romans 12:9-16 in your Bible together and learn from the Apostle Paul on how God wants us to love others in action.

REFLECTION:

Having a proper understanding of the way God wants us to gird our strength and use it for good, can be found in studying how He wants us to love others– especially those who persecute us and think differently than we do. 

RESPONSE:

What are 3 things that the Apostle Paul is saying in this passage on how we love others well? What is one thing the Holy Spirit may be prompting you to consider when you have a rub with someone who doesn’t believe/think the same as you? 

DAY
05

...From everyone who has been given much, much will be required…

-LUKE 12:48

REFLECTION:

The Word of God communicates to us the Truth of how we should live an outward life. When we are strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love others with the love of God, we should consider this with utmost importance. We are accountable to the truth and wisdom that’s been given us. 

RESPONSE:

In what ways can we be strengthened so that we can extend our reach into the lives of others? How have others extended their reach into your life?