Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 13 | Day 2
Prayer
Ask God to help you hear Him this morning. Let God know where you’re struggling and ask Him to forgive you for where you have sinned. Give God the next few minutes as you dig into His word.
Bible Reading: Romans 12:6-8
Read these verses three times slowly.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Reflection & Questions
By Heather Mahoney
Christians are to live together with love as members of Christ’s body, the Church. They are to use their various gifts to serve the church.
This is good news for us—you have a distinct role to play in the Body of Christ, the Church! We’re all different; we’re not clones! We have the same standing in the gospel, but we are different in our abilities to minister to each other. All of us have been given distinct personalities, temperaments, histories, and abilities that equip us for a particular set of works that God has created us to do. “God has called us to be interdependent so that we belong to each other“ (Tim Keller).
Stop now and think about your unique role here at Crossroads. Think about the Growth Group you are a part of and the people. Think about where you serve at Crossroads. Think about the people God has brought into your life; He has gifted you to minister to them in your unique way. That should encourage you. Think about it…your personality and your gifting can all be used to encourage and minister to the people in your life.
- What about you? Are you sitting on the sidelines? You have a role to play. If you’re part of Crossroads, then God has brought you here to invest in others. You don’t have to wait to be given a ministry; start loving the people around you by using the gifts and abilities God has given you to love them. Give your life away. Ask God to give you the desire and ability to plug in with others.
Prayer
Ask God to lead you through His Spirit as you go through your day. Ask Him to bring to mind the truth of the gospel and its implications for what you will encounter today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 12:6-8
Read these verses three times slowly.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Reflection & Questions
When we think of gifts and talents that God has given us, we tend to think of things like sports and music and academics – subjects in school that we are really good at. But there are all kinds of gifts that God has given us that we forget about that Paul reminds us of in today’s verses: serving others, teaching, being an encourager – these are all gifts that are useful in ways that we don’t always think about.
Each of us has a different set of gifts and talents that God has given us to use for Him. We are not all the same. And that is a good thing! Some people are good at sharing and giving to people in need while others are good at teaching. If everyone was good at teaching, then who would be the greeters at church and who would be on the worship team?
Think about something you are good at. Is there a way that you can use it at church? Maybe you would be a great greeter, a smiling face when people come to church. Maybe you would be good at helping in the toddlers room, playing with them and showing them love. Maybe you are good at encouraging others or serving and being part of our serve days at church would be great for you! Whatever you are good at, there is a place in your life that you can use to encourage and show others God’s love.
- Is there a place where you can show someone in your life the love of God? Think about your gifts and think about where you can use those gifts this week.
Pray
Ask God to show you what your strengths and gifts are. Ask Him to show you the ways that you can use them to point others to Him.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
