October 10: Listen to Their Questions, Discover Their Greatness

Be an Example of Love, Week Three

Listen to Their Questions, Discover Their Greatness

My faith is expanded most by asking questions about things in the Bible that confuse me or seem to contradict my own experience. I seek input from my friends, members of the church, and my parents (basically anyone that will listen) in order to discern my own understanding of scripture and how that applies to my life today and the next day and the next. The hard part is thinking about the answers that I get back. Often, the answers do little more than bring about more questions. It becomes about the journey and not about the destination. I often find clarity of thought by being in God's beautiful creation and seeking God in the natural world, by looking up into the vast array of stars and meditating on the words of Psalm 19: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge,” and remind myself that God created me and that I was "very good" as it says in Genesis. Focusing on nature is one of the greatest ways to realize God's greatness and just how powerful God is.

Hey God,
Your awesomeness shows in the glory of your creation. Help us through the many questions that we have and be with us as we journey together in search for You. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-8
For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources
ReForm, Echo and other curricula from Sparkhouse: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/
Can I Ask That? http://stickyfaith.org/askthat

Blake Coe, General Youth Council, Kerrville, Texas

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.