Faith, Hope, and Love Devo - 1 Cor 13: 1-13

Spiritual Practices - Acts of Compassion

Week of May 17th, 2020

 During the month of May, we are going to talk about the marks of the church. We will hear stories of churches, as seen through the book of Acts and Paul’s letter to local churches. The question we will explore is what does this mean for us today, as the body of Christ, here in this place.

     To facilitate this exploration, we are going to have opportunities to engage in spiritual practices that help us connect with God and show care to other people as the body of Christ. It is my hope and prayer, that as we look as some practices that may be familiar to you and others that may be new, that you will be open to the movement of the Spirit that can lead to spiritual growth. 

Scripture for the week: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

Read these scriptures slowly. What sticks out to you. What do you think was preventing the church in Corinth from showing love?

Spiritual Practice: Acts of Compassion

The act of compassion, or showing concern for other people, can shape our spirits to have room to love as Jesus did. Over the next week, pick two ways that you can show compassion to someone in your life. How does acting with compassion show your love for God and neighbor?

• Do all you can to help people in need.
• Seek out people in need and do all you can to help them.
• Increase your service to others and graciously acknowledge other’s service to you.
• Go two miles for a sister or brother who asks you to go one.
• Spend one hour each week visiting a lonely person whom you would not normally visit.
• Spend at least one hour each day helping someone in need.
• Spend four hours each month helping the disadvantaged in our community.
• Spend four hours each week helping the disadvantaged in our community.
• Practice listening to others as a ministry of grace.
• Express feelings of genuine appreciation to at least one person each day.
• Engage in regular visits to local prisons.
• Establish a meaningful relationship with someone in prison and, when possible, with their families.
• Encourage our congregations in missional giving through personal example.
• Seek to help a family in need somewhere else in the world.
• Eat one less meal each day and give the money to feed the hungry in our community.

Spiritual Practice: Write Down What is Important

Think about what is most important in your faith life. Write them down as a list. As you look over your list, how does it compare to what Paul was talking to the Corinthians about? How can you live into what is important to you?

Spiritual Practice: Show Greater Love

Sometimes we do not show love. Our sinful self gets in the way. Think of someone you have failed to love this past week. How can you show greater love to them in the coming days?