Posted on February 3, 2019 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
February 3 – 9, 2019
Walk This Way: Words
By Joe Davis
Subconsciously, I believe we all know that words have power. Very rarely do we think about what that means. Words not only have power, but that power impacts others in a ripple effect. Just as a rock is dropped into a pond and the ripples move out and away from the splash of the rock, our words go out and move further away from being spoken to cause both positive and negative disruption around us.
When I was a kid there was one day that my mom was working the PM shift as a nurse. My dad was home with me and my two brothers. We were having a late dinner and my brothers and I were asked to set the
table. Being young and boys, we of course were joking and horsing around. I don’t remember all the circumstances going on, but my dad was very tired and frustrated, and my brothers and I were not making it easy on him. As we were goofing off while setting the table, my dad reached his limit with us and literally shouted at the top of his lungs, “Just shut up!”. It instantly changed the mood. He walked back to his bedroom and my brothers and I finished setting the table in complete silence. You could have heard a pin drop. Afterwards I remember going to my room and laying on my bed. I didn’t cry, but I remember feeling very somber and not wanting to make matters worse.
A few minutes later my dad came in and sat down on the bed next to me. He had tears streaming down his face and was sobbing. He felt horrible about what he had done and apologized and asked me for my forgiveness and admitted that he didn’t know why he had done that. Because my dad came to me and said he was sorry and asked for forgiveness, I really believe the ripple effect of that moment didn’t define me in a negative way. It remains a moment in time that I have never forgotten.
Now that I’m a husband and father, I completely understand what my dad must have been going through feeling tired and exasperated. And I too have said things that I can never take back. Like bullets through a gun, my words were shot out causing damage as they made contact with my wife and four children. I’ve said things that I am utterly ashamed of, and remembering those words brings tears to my eyes.
We’ve been given a great responsibility with being able to speak into others. Because of my past mistakes, there have been times that I just didn’t want to talk any more because I was afraid I would make things worse by opening my mouth. But God is good, and He wants me to speak and use my words to build others up. I feel as if I’m still learning how to do this, and sometimes fear that I’m doing a poor job at it. I know in my head that God wants me to be the best me I can be, but my heart is slow on the uptake. It’s easier to destroy than it is to create. It’s easier to hate than to love. I am grateful that we have a loving and forgiving God who gives me second chances with my words. And I pray that I would be humble enough to ask God to make me think before I speak.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Do I think about the words I use, or am I just allowing them to come out? Am I taking the time to listen to others, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak? What kind of legacy do I want my words to have with those who come in contact with me?
NEW RESOURCE: Our own Seth Davidson has begun a Journey Vlog that you can subscribe to. Each week he offers an 8-10 minute overview about the scripture reading for the day. Simply follow along, listening to the corresponding date. CLICK HERE to check it out. Be sure to click "subscribe" on the page to follow him on YouTube!
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Proclaiming the name of Jesus can be a powerful thing and get very strong reactions, both in the 1st century and today. When do you proclaim the name of Jesus and what kind of reactions have you seen and experienced?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: The act of proclaiming Jesus disrupted not only peoples lives but the economic system as well. Jesus should not be an ancillary thing we add to our lives that happens to match our world views, but something that disrupts and challenges us all. Has Jesus disrupted your life and challenged you in significant ways? Share your experience with a trusted group or friend.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Crowd reactions can and do influence our own thoughts and perspectives. People have strong reactions and opinions on topics they haven’t dealt with themselves, but instead lock arms with those they feel share their values. What topics have you locked arms with others because you feel they share your values? Why have you joined that particular fight? Pray for God’s clarity on why you have chosen to do this and for his guidance going forward.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Here we see Paul acting very similar to Jesus in situations of fear and tragedy. I know if I saw someone fall out of the third story window I wouldn’t be too calm. In your relationship with Jesus, have you seen yourself growing and reacting more like him?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul is very bold in saying that he does not value his life so long as he can finish what God wants him to. It’s not that he doesn’t care for the life God gave him–he instead cares more about what God wants him to do. What is God calling you to do?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul’s friends were saddened when they realized they would never see him again but they still supported him on his journey. It would be natural as a friend to try and persuade your friend to avoid danger, but they understood God had a plan Paul must follow. How can you as a friend support those on a specific and dangerous journey given to them by God?
{community discussion questions}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as a Journey Community group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters on your journey.
Can you name a takeaway or challenge from the Sunday message?
How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
NEW RESOURCE:CLICK HERE to follow our own Seth Davidson on YouTube. He has begun a Journey Vlog that you can subscribe to. Each day he offers an 8-10 minute overview about the scripture reading for the day. Be sure to click "subscribe" on the page to follow this YouTube channel!
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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