Showing our faith
October 12, 2015 | Calvin Bryant
We may have read the Bible today, but have we done it in front of the people we are leading? Often times, we do things in private that could be helpful to do them more in public as well. This isn't to glorify ourselves and "make us look good," but rather, it can help set an example for others to see what we truly value in life. Yes, Jesus tells us to do things in private. In Matthew 6:6, He says, "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." But sometimes we forget that just a few chapters later, God calls us to live out our faith publicly as well when Jesus says, "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven."
Setting an example for our kids, family, coworkers, friends, and spouses by proclaiming the grace of Christ is something we should do daily. And this can be done through prayer, reading, singing, or simply being silent. One example of someone living that out is my spouse. When she wakes up, she immediately opens her Bible to study the word. And she does this so often that even the cat knows! The cat will run over to her and put his paws on the Bible as if to turn the pages. No, obviously the cat isn't reading (I think it just likes the feel of the super thin pages), but it knows from watching every day what's going to happen. What would our families look like if we saw each other consistently reading God's word each day? Check out leading researcher Kara Powell's great illustration and incredible article below.
Discussion questions with MS students: What do I spend most of my time doing? What are one or two things I can't go a day without doing? How many times a week do you see me pray? Read? Sit in silence? What are the most important things in my life?