Faith Unleashed: Week Ten
Week Ten Devotional: Passing the Baton: A Legacy of Faith
Day 1: Understanding the Church's Mission
Matthew 16:18 (NLT) "Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Reflection: Reflect on the enduring mission of the Church. Consider how your local church is part of the larger mission of Christ's Church. How can you contribute to this mission?
Application: Identify one way you can actively participate in your church's mission this week, whether through serving, giving, or inviting someone to church.
Prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that Your Church will prevail. Help me to see my role in Your mission. Show me how I can contribute to the work You are doing through my local church. Give me the courage and willingness to step out in faith. Amen."
Day 2: Mission Over Methodology
Mark 2:22 (NLT) "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”
Reflection: Consider the difference between mission and methodology. Are there traditions or methods you hold onto that might hinder the mission? How can you be open to change for the sake of the Gospel?
Application: Think of one tradition or method you hold dear. Pray about whether it serves the mission or if it needs to be adapted or let go.
Prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank You for the new life You bring. Help me to discern between mission and methodology. Open my heart to change and innovation that aligns with Your mission. Let me hold tightly to Your truth but loosely to methods. Amen."
Day 3: Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5:13 (NLT) "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
Reflection: Reflect on the freedom you have in Christ. How can you use this freedom to serve others rather than indulge in personal preferences?
Application: Identify one way you can use your freedom to serve someone in your community this week.
Prayer: "Gracious God, thank You for the freedom I have in Christ. Help me to use this freedom not for myself, but to serve others in love. Show me opportunities to serve and give me the strength to act on them. Amen."
Day 4: Balancing Knowledge and Love
1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 (NLT) "But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
Reflection: Consider how you balance knowledge and love in your interactions with others. Are you more focused on being right or on loving others?
Application: Practice prioritizing love over knowledge in a conversation today. Listen more than you speak.
Prayer: "Father, thank You for the wisdom You provide. Teach me to balance knowledge with love. Help me to prioritize loving others as You have loved me. Let my actions and words reflect Your love. Amen."
Day 5: Avoiding Sectarianism and Syncretism
John 17:15 (NLT) "I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.”
Reflection: Reflect on the tension between being in the world but not of it. How can you engage with the culture without compromising your faith?
Application: Identify one area where you can engage with the culture in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth.
Prayer: "Lord, thank You for placing me in this world with a purpose. Help me to engage with the culture without compromising my faith. Protect me from the evil one and guide my actions to reflect Your truth and love. Amen."
Day 6: Living with a Battleship Mentality
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT) "Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”
Reflection: Consider how you can adopt a battleship mentality, focusing on the mission and the needs of others rather than your own comfort.
Application: Find a way to put someone else's needs before your own today, whether at work, home, or in your community.
Prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to be part of Your mission. Help me to focus on the needs of others and to adopt a battleship mentality. Give me the strength to put others first and to serve with a joyful heart. Amen."
Day 7: Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Reflection: Reflect on how you can invest in the next generation. What can you do to ensure the mission continues beyond your lifetime?
Application: Identify one person you can mentor or encourage in their faith journey this week.
Prayer: "Lord, thank You for the opportunity to invest in others. Show me how I can pass on the truths of Your Word to the next generation. Help me to be a faithful mentor and encourager, so that Your mission continues through them. Amen."
