Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Weekend Wrap-up Theme of the Week: How Good Feels Saturday, September 25, 2004
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Men of IntegritySeptember/October 2004Weekend Wrap-upTheme of the Week: How Good FeelsSaturday, September 2575
We're all familiar with Paul's appeal, in Romans 12:1, for believers to offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices. We're probably less familiar with the specific ways in which he urges us to do this. Today we'll look at a good chunk of the apostle's inspired "how-to" follow-through instructions. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews asserts that "such sacrifices are very pleasing to God" (13:16), so time spent getting a handle on them is time well spent.
Interact with God's Word
Romans 12:6–13
What do you believe God has given you the ability to do well? (vv. 6–8 shouldn't be seen as a complete list.)How could this ability be used to benefit others?Who is someone whom you'd find it a delight to honor (v. 10)? How might you pull that off?Of what elements in God's good plan (v. 12) can you already be confident? What elements may come as a surprise?What are some ways you could share with God's children who are in need?Spend Time in Prayer
Ask God to show you how you can bring Him pleasure by doing good to others. Ask Him to use the process to take you to a new level of satisfaction.
Romans 12:6–13
6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.
8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. 13 When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.
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