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READY 1

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.”—1 Thessalonians 3:12

Think about these two words: “increase” and “overflow.” Paul’s prayer is that the Lord would cause love to increase in us to the point where it overflows from us toward others. Imagine a dry reservoir that suddenly begins to fill as the rain pours down. It continues to fill so that water begins to cascade over the dam, sending a steady flow of water downstream to those who desperately need it. Let’s be the answer to Paul’s prayer in this generation; let’s channel the love Jesus has poured out into our hearts to those around us who desperately need it.

Key Scriptures: Acts 4:1-4; 5-13

Peter again finds himself in trouble with the authorities. These authorities are the same people who had arrested and tried Jesus a few months earlier, and Peter and John are being tried in the exact spot Jesus was. Instead of shrinking back, and denying he knows Jesus, Peter boldly proclaims the name of Jesus as the source of healing and salvation. He boldly proclaims an unpopular truth to his hearers: “Jesus Christ..., whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead.” The Sadducees certainly did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, nor did they believe in the doctrine of bodily resurrection. Yet Peter stands before men who could easily have him killed and boldly testifies about Jesus. Peter and John’s boldness and clarity were a testimony to the Jewish leaders that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13)

Many of our coaches in FCA, from clubs to campuses to professionals, work in environments that are hostile to the message of Jesus. Notice how the Sanhedrin wanted to punish Peter and John, but they could not because of the good deed they had done (Acts 4:21–22). What if coaches who are in a hostile environment were so loving, so respectful, so kind, so excellent in their coaching that the authorities to whom they report would have to acquiesce to their testimony about Jesus because they couldn’t afford to get rid of such a great coach?

• Do you feel bold for Jesus? Why or why not?
• Is your current coaching environment hostile or accommodating to the message of Jesus? How can you invite the Holy Spirit in to shift the atmosphere?

Go Show

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16

Good works and the good news complement each other so well! May your coaching, your parenting, your marriage, your service in the community—all that you do—be a beautiful signpost to point everyone toward Jesus and His Kingdom!

Go Share

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:20

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20

Kingdom ministry is about showing and telling; the two go together and should not be separated. Everything we do for others, we do in the name of the King, looking for every opportunity to share the good news about what He’s done.