Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 16 | Day 3
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: Romans 15:1-4
Read these verses three times slowly.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Reflection & Questions
We have been considering this week how to relate with other believers when we disagree, especially on disputable matters – matters that are not clearly spelled out. How hard this can be! It was no different in Paul’s day. He instructed his readers in the verses today to “bear with the failing of the weak” and not “please ourselves.” These are practices, and ways of viewing life, that do not come naturally or easy. We are a culture in a hurry, with little time for the slow; we are a culture of productivity, with little time for the incapable; and we are a culture that values success with little time for those who are failing. But for us as a believer this should not be. We should carry ourselves with a grace that can “bear with” others and look for ways to “please our neighbors” and “build them up.” This was the way of Jesus. He set the pace. As we learn His ways, we learn to slow down, to bear with, to build up, to value the person and their good.
- Who is someone you have a hard time bearing with? How could you show grace to them today?
- Who are you going to meet today? Think about how you could please them and build them up.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 15:2
Read these verses three times slowly.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Reflection & Questions
This week we have been discussing how Christians are different with their thoughts and beliefs and how God wants us to treat each other, even when we don’t agree on everything. That’s not always easy to do. Sometimes it seems like other Christians are just way wrong in how they are thinking!
But in today’s verse, Paul makes it pretty clear: “please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” Who are our neighbors? Those are the people who live in our neighborhood, but also those who go to our church, our school, and even those we play sports with, do drama with, or any other activities outside of our homes.
Maybe the older lady who lives next door who always seems crabby would smile if you brought her a picture that you drew. Maybe your teacher would like it if you wrote him or her a note, thanking them for teaching you. Maybe the lonely kid at school would have a great day if you invited him or her to play with you at recess. Doing nice things like these takes time and effort, but this is what God asks us to do: to take the time to be thoughtful so that we are building up those around us.
- Is there something kind you can do this week for your neighbor?
Pray
Ask God to help you see where and how you can be kind and loving to your neighbors.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
