Christian Resource Center | Bible Studies & Devotionals

Jesus has instructed us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (verse 19). May these verses prepare your heart for the week, helping you talk to others and increasing your own spiritual growth.

Jesus tells us the story of many seeds being planted. What exactly are these seeds? These are the seeds of wisdom, the seeds of the knowledge of God, the seeds of salvation that are planted in each of our lives, our hearts. Notice what happened to each seeds and where it landed. Reflect on your own life. Is your heart and soul a rock? Is it a patch of thorns? Or is it full of good soil, reading to spread the seed of the Gospel onto other people?

   John the Baptist is one interesting person. Living off the desert, wearing nothing but camel’s hair and a leather belt, while eating only locusts (a type of insect) and wild honey, he’s preaching to the masses to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mat 3:8). Now while we don’t have to dress up in camels skins or eat locusts these days to get other people’s attentions, it does help for other’s to know that we are a bit different. We are saved by the salvation of Christ and should make this known to others.
   It is also important to note that John the Baptist was not scared to tell the Pharisees when they were wrong and warned them repent or face the consequences. So should be true in our lives when we see others doing wrong.
     Finally, John the Baptist is humble in his preaching. While being loud and visible, he acknowledges “one more powerful than I will come….He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 16). Remember that whatever you say and when ever you say something, it is because of God’s grace that you are there to say it in the first place.
     (FURTHER READING : Philippians 2:1-11).

     The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most widely taught lessons in Sunday School classes. However, where does it apply to our lives?
     People don’t only need to hear the Gospel, they need to see it in action for them to truly believe. Think back to the first time you went to church. What were the other people’s attitudes like? Did you feel accepted?
     When given a chance to help others when they are struggling, we are told to help them out. How often do we do this? Will we help out a person at school if it means going against the will of our friends? Will we help out an elderly person instead of cursing at how slow they’re going? Preaching the Word is one thing. Acting on the Word is another.
     (FURTHER READING : see James 2:14-26)

     We cannot serve God unless we are willing to be made alive in Christ. It is especially mindful to reflect on verse 2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing mind.   Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will."
     These few verses instruct us so much in so few words. It teaches us to live according to God’s will – not the world’s and not our own (verse 2). We are taught to be humble (verse 3). In this state of humility, we are to seek more of God to grow spiritually. We are taught not to rely only upon ourselves but to help and use the entire body of believers as a whole (verses 4-5). We are also taught to use our spiritual gifts, given to us by God, or risk losing them (verses 6-8).
     It is important to remember these things when we go out and do God’s work as we are to for one purpose only – to glorify God.

(FURTHER 

READING

: Ephesians 2:1-10 “Be Made Alive in Christ”)

(FURTHER 

READING

: Philippians 3:7-11 “Gaining in Christ”)

(FURTHER 

READING

: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 “One Body, Many Parts”)
(FURTHER READING: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 "Spiritual Gifts")

Bible Studies & Devotionals

Seen, Heard, and Felt What It Means to Be an Effective Evangelist

Bible Studies
& Devotionals

Seen, Heard, and Felt
What It Means to Be an Effective Evangelist