Faith Unleashed: Week One Devos
Faith Unleashed: The Church Beyond The Walls
Join us for a week-long devotional inspired by “Faith Unleashed: The Church Beyond The Walls,” exploring 1 Corinthians. This journey invites you to live out your faith boldly in a world often disconnected from God. Each day focuses on key themes: embracing the Great Commission, facing opposition, understanding our identity in Christ, trusting God's process, and fostering unity within the church.
Through Scripture, prayer, and personal action steps, you'll be encouraged to reach out to others, address divisions, and be a light in your community. Let's advance God's kingdom with courage and unity, trusting that He is with us every step of the way.
Week-Long Devotional: The Church’s Call To The Wild
Day 1: The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Reflect on Jesus' command to "go and make disciples of all nations." Consider what it means to be a "church in the wild," actively reaching out to those who feel disconnected from the church. Pray for courage and opportunities to share the gospel with those around you.
Lord, help me to embrace Your Great Commission. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and share Your love with those who feel far from You. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Identify one person in your life who may feel disconnected from the church. Reach out to them with a message of encouragement or an invitation to join you for a church service or event.
Day 2: Facing Opposition
Matthew 11:12 (NLT) “And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”
Understand that advancing God's kingdom often involves facing opposition. Reflect on the reality that the church thrives under external pressure but can be sabotaged from within. Pray for strength and unity within your church community.
Father, strengthen us as we face opposition. Help us to remain united and focused on Your mission, even when challenges arise. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced in your faith journey. Write down how you can respond with strength and unity, and commit to praying for your church community this week.
Day 3: Identity in Christ
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 (NLT) “This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes. 2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”
Remember that your identity is not defined by your past actions but by who you are in Christ. Reflect on being called a saint, set apart for God's purpose. Consider how this identity shapes your daily life and interactions with others.
Lord, thank You for calling me Your own. Help me to live out my identity as a saint, reflecting Your love and grace to those around me. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Write down three affirmations about your identity in Christ. Reflect on these affirmations each morning to remind yourself of who you are in Him.
Day 4: Trusting the Process
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (NLT) “I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Reflect on the importance of trusting God's process, even when results aren't immediate. Remember that God is faithful and has equipped you with every spiritual gift you need. Pray for patience and perseverance in your spiritual journey.
God, help me to trust in Your timing and process. Strengthen my faith and remind me of Your faithfulness as I wait for Your promises to unfold. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Identify an area in your life where you need to trust God's process. Write a prayer or affirmation to remind yourself of God's faithfulness and revisit it daily.
Day 5: Unity in the Church
1 Corinthians 1:10-12 (NLT) “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
Consider the importance of unity within the church. Reflect on how divisions can arise and the role you play in maintaining harmony. Pray for a spirit of unity and reconciliation within your church community.
Father, bring unity to our church. Help us to focus on what unites us in Christ and to resolve any divisions that may arise. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Reflect on any unresolved conflicts you may have within your church community. Take a step towards reconciliation by reaching out to the person involved.
Day 6: One Lord, Many Leaders
1 Corinthians 1:13-16 (NLT) “Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.)”
Acknowledge the diversity of leaders within the church but remember that we have one Lord. Reflect on how personal preferences should not divide us. Pray for a heart that values unity over division.
Lord, help me to appreciate the diversity of leaders in the church while keeping my focus on You as our one true Lord. Unite us in purpose and mission. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Reflect on your preferences in church leadership and how they might affect your unity with others. Commit to valuing the diversity of gifts within your church.
Day 7: Embracing the Wild
Acts 18:9-10 (NLT) “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”
Reflect on God's promise to be with us as we step into the "wild" to share His love. Consider how you can be a light in your community, bringing hope to those who feel lost. Pray for boldness and opportunities to be a church in the wild.
God, give me the courage to be a light in the wild places of this world. Help me to bring Your hope and love to those who need it most. Amen.
Personal Action Step: Identify a specific way you can be a light in your community this week. Take a concrete step towards making a positive impact, whether through volunteering, offering help, or sharing your faith.
