DNA Of A Dangerous Church - Day 08
Day 08 - Wednesday, August 21
Read Ephesians 2
Highlight
It would be difficult to overstate the difference Jesus makes in the lives of those that choose to follow him. Paul goes so far as to say not just that we were on a road toward death in our sins before Jesus, but that we were actually dead in our transgressions. Life without Jesus is no life at all. We can all identify with the hopelessness, loneliness or aimlessness of life before Christ. Our stories are unique, but the experience is common to all of us - separation from God is a dark and desperate place. When we come alive in Christ it’s like experiencing real life for the very first time; like the world just turned from black and white to full technicolor! The Gospel is not just good news, it’s the best news! It’s something you can’t just describe, you have to actually experience the love of Christ. Without Jesus, the world can’t experience that love without His followers allowing it to overflow from us into the world around us. Paul declares in verse 10, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." His grace compels us toward compassion through good works which in turn serve as a testament to our faith and draw others to Christ.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Ephesians 2
Highlight
It would be difficult to overstate the difference Jesus makes in the lives of those that choose to follow him. Paul goes so far as to say not just that we were on a road toward death in our sins before Jesus, but that we were actually dead in our transgressions. Life without Jesus is no life at all. We can all identify with the hopelessness, loneliness or aimlessness of life before Christ. Our stories are unique, but the experience is common to all of us - separation from God is a dark and desperate place. When we come alive in Christ it’s like experiencing real life for the very first time; like the world just turned from black and white to full technicolor! The Gospel is not just good news, it’s the best news! It’s something you can’t just describe, you have to actually experience the love of Christ. Without Jesus, the world can’t experience that love without His followers allowing it to overflow from us into the world around us. Paul declares in verse 10, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." His grace compels us toward compassion through good works which in turn serve as a testament to our faith and draw others to Christ.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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