All Things NewSample

Just who have You been Hanging Around?

This is a question often asked of us when we were younger and had begun to exhibit a form of behavior not learned in our home or normal sphere of influence.

Typically the question was asked when we had spent a lot of time with a new friend or a new group of friends resulting in our language or our decision making ability being noticeably altered.

Our concerned and observant parents knew that our behavior was noticeably altered and that the source of the unwelcome transformation in all likelihood was some new “friends” influencing us.

Spending large amounts of time with people increases the degree to which we adopt their behaviors and attitudes.

In Acts 3 and 4, we see Peter and John standing before the council in Jerusalem after the Spirit had done amazing works through them including the healing of a lame beggar followed by some very powerful teaching and preaching to large crowds. In Acts 4 after careful investigation the council was unable to determine how they had been able to accomplish these things. The council realized that these men were unschooled and ordinary. They were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

The transforming element of their behavior was simply because they had been with Jesus!

Being with Jesus made the difference. It shaped and gave power to the lives of Peter and John.

Reading: Acts 3 through Acts 4:21

Reflection

· Identify the varied ways that you spend time “hanging out with” Jesus in a typical day, week, or month.

· In what ways do you see how this time you spend with Jesus manifests itself in how you live your life?

· Do you think that those observing you would first and foremost give credit to your “spending time with Jesus” as the primary shaper of your life? If not what other influencers might they point to that seem to have molded who you are?

· Who or what are the things that typically rob you of spending the amount of time with Jesus that you desire to have?