FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “B|Admonishers”

Supplies: Bible

SHARE 

If you aren’t already, sit with your family in a circle.  (Around the living room or kitchen table is fine; no one has to get on the floor.)  Study the person on your right.  Think of two things you really like about them or things you’re thankful for.  Now think of something you wish would change.  Maybe something they could do better or a trait they need to work on.  Now go around the room and share your thoughts in this order: compliment—criticism—compliment.  

Which was easier to say?  Which was easiest to hear?  Most of us are uncomfortable correcting others.  Was it easier to say the criticism or to hear it said to you?  We don’t like to be corrected by others, but sometimes it can be even more difficult to do the correcting, especially when that person is someone we like and respect.

READ

Someone read Galatians 2:11-14 and see how Paul handled a time when he disagreed with a lead disciple.

THINK

Paul had a hard time getting traction among the disciples after his conversion, but thanks to Barnabas, he finally started to feel welcomed by them.  He and Barnabas went to Antioch to build the church in that town, and at some point during their tenure, Peter came to visit and check up on them.  Paul shares in his letter to the Galatians that while Peter was with them, Paul noticed that Peter was acting in a way that Paul thought was wrong.  Now, this is Peter.  Peter!  One of Jesus’ closest friends.  The guy who walked on water and “on whom Jesus will build his church.”  THAT Peter.  But Paul still knows that Peter is not treating some people the way Jesus would want.  Basically, Peter’s being a little two-faced.

Paul has a choice.  He can dismiss his thoughts and keep the peace, or he can risk rocking the boat and share his impression in the hopes that Peter will respond well.  It’d be so much easier just to keep quiet.  After all, Peter’s a leader in the church.  He’s been walking with Jesus a LOT longer than Paul has.  He knows what he’s doing, right?  How many times have we had the same kind of conversation with ourselves, trying to talk ourselves out of an uncomfortable “accountability” conversation with someone we know isn’t acting Christlike.  But Paul shows us that, when it comes to growing in our faith, when it comes to holy living, part of being a part of the family of God means we have those hard conversations.  In love and humility, we admonish other believers when led by the Holy Spirit.

APPLY

Is there someone you know who needs to be corrected?  Perhaps you’ve noticed some un-Jesus attitudes or behaviors in a friend or a family member.  Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in how to share that impression with him or her.  It can be hard, especially if it’s a good friend.  But being a good “neighbor” means we correct those we love to help them grow even closer to Jesus.  End your time together praying that the Holy Spirit would help your family members be loving correctors when necessary.

PRAY

Dear God, you loved me in my sin.  Even though I was way off base, you sent your Son to rescue me.  Your Holy Spirit continues to help me grow and overcome the sinful choices in my life.  Thank you, Father.  Would you help me have the courage to correct another believer, in the same loving way you correct me?  Lead to me help others draw closer to you. In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen

REPLY

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