Welcome to our summer series when our devotionals will be based on different texts of scripture that I’ve recently found inspirational. Today, we reflect on 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 and how God makes things grow.
To watch this devotional follow the link below:
‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.’ (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
I’m often astounded at what some people can achieve in a garden. Those with skill can make a space so much more that you could have thought. The church is compared to a garden. It can flourish or it can be neglected. In today’s text, we see that we have a part to play; some ‘plant’ some ‘water’ according to their gifts and callings. However, even though our role is very important, the vital thing to remember is that ‘only God, makes things grow.’ Anything that we do is dependent upon the power of the Spirit. A gardener, likewise, cannot create seeds, cannot create water, cannot make things grow - these things are beyond the skill of anyone! So, our watering’ and ’planting’ are gifts given and that must be empowered by the Spirit.
Are you and I humble? Do we know that we can do nothing without God’s power? Do we go through life like we can achieve things without God? Do we pray about the things we do? Alternatively, have we stopped trying to do new things, or stopped using our gifts, because we don’t believe that God can make things grow? Those who know that God can make our weak efforts fruitful, will be faithful to keep planting and watering.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday was entitled, Don’t Settle for Second Best; the theme, from Exodus, was on how we are to prize the presence of God and not settle for second best in our lives.
Please read Exodus 33:1-3, 15-16; 34:19 and discuss:
What would you say is the main message and application of these readings?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
Why was Moses so keen that God’s presence rather than an ‘angel’ (messenger of God) go with them?
In what ways can we ‘practice the presence of God’ in our lives?
Take a moment to watch the devotional on this message together by following the link below:
SIV - They needed God’s presence; why will the theme of today’s devotional ensure that we also are effective in God’s mission?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV; and pray for anything else that's come out of our time in God’s Word.
Comments