August 25th, 2019
Mission: Seekers and Disciples
We love to hear stories about people coming to know Jesus Christ and love him as their Lord and Savior. Once we have committed our lives to Christ, we are part of that mission as well. For the next three weeks our devotionals are going to combine the study of scripture with reflection and action - the act of sharing our faith.
Scripture - Luke 8: 1-18
8 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them[a] out of their resources.
4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets[b] of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak[c] in parables, so that
‘looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.’
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
16 “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
Questions for reflection:
- How does someone get saved?
- What is your story of coming to know and love Jesus?
- Is your story the same as other’s? Why or why not?
Called to action:
Take time this week to write down your story of coming to faith in Jesus. Who was part of that story? Did it happen instantaneously or over time?
After writing down your story think about whether you have shared this story with others. One of the most powerful tools we have in the mission of making disciples is our own voice, our own story. How have you shared your story for the sake of the Kingdom of God?
No comments:
Post a Comment