Spiritual DisciplinesSample

Day 5- Living Out the Gospel

Discover: Herber J. Grant, an American religious leader, once said that “no man can teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the inspiration of the living God and with power from on high unless he is living it.” One of the greatest commandments that we have is to go and share the good news with all the nations. But not just to share it, but also to live it. Evangelism isn’t just about the words we speak, it’s also about how we live. Colossians 4: 5-6 encourages us to live wisely among non-believers, and to lead our conversations full of grace. Our spiritual life shouldn’t be something we hide, it should be seen in everything we do. We see this same aspect played out in Matthew 5, where Jesus is telling his followers to be a light for the world, expanding our knowledge of being reflections of Christ in a dark world. Which Paul reiterates in his letter to the Philippians challenging them to shine like stars. It’s clear sharing this good news is a ministerial call everyone has in their lives. However, living it out is the most important aspect of our Christian faith.

Learn: Whenever the sun goes down, go out and look up! You’ll notice that even in the dark sky, there is still light. Our incredible moon stands there giving us a glimpse of light even in the darkness. But the moon doesn’t give off that light on its own, it gives off light because it reflects the sun. When we talk about living out the gospel, we are talking about being a reflection of Jesus Christ, the Son. When we reflect the Son, light begins to spread and nations begin to feel the love of Christ that can only come from a caring Father. Our lives should be a testament to the power of the Gospel. Where, when we walked towards sin and death, God would send his Son to die on a cross that was built for us. The Bible says that the most righteous man will fall 7 times, but he will pick himself up. Allow yourself to surrender your life to the gospel, and the love and power that comes from it will give you the strength to continue walking with our Heavenly Father.

Apply: Think of some practical ways you can demonstrate God’s love today. A shepherd can only lead his flock well if he’s practiced the ways of shepherding. You can’t just be a good football player without practice. To share the Gospel well, you must live it out well. Spend these next couple minutes asking God to give you the wisdom to live a life that reflects the gospel in both words and actions.

· What does it mean to live out the Gospel? How does this concept influence your daily actions and decisions?

· How can you be a light during darkness? What changes should you make in your life so you can shine Christ’s light more effectively?

· What practical steps can you take to share the Gospel with others in both word and deed?

· How has this study through spiritual disciplines encouraged you to walk more closely with Jesus?