As we go through life everyday, we like to know what’s ahead. We structure our days around our needs— what we’ll eat, when we’ll sleep, what we’ll do at work. Without realizing it, our day can become all about us.
In our discussion about giving up our rights, it’s easier to camp out on the “big” rights we can set aside for others. But how does selflessness affect our everyday lives? What does it mean to lay down our rights on a daily basis?
Open up your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 9:19–27 (Do you see the “Contextualizing” and “Contending” mentioned Sunday from the text?).
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:19–27 (NLT)
Paul gives several examples of how he surrenders his rights for different types of people.
Looking at the verse in 1 Corinthians 9:23, what’s Paul’s ultimate goal in setting aside his rights?
Paul does everything for the sake of the gospel. That means he filters every action and every thought through the goal of showing others Jesus the self-giving savior and his sacrifice that saves. Paul wants to reflect the same self-giving, sacrificial life in all he does so that people can know and follow Jesus.
So when it comes to us, we can take a step back and consider the way we approach our day. Are we ordering our days around ourselves? Or do we filter every action, every thought, around Jesus and his gospel?
Think back through your day yesterday. Consider the meals you ate, the routine you followed to get ready in the morning, the way you treated your coworkers, the attitude you had with your family, the way you acted on the road. Were you focused on yourself? On the gospel? On others?
Think about tomorrow.
Imagine what your day would be like if you filtered everything you did by showing others the gospel. What would be different about your day (to “contextualize” for the Gospel)?
Focusing on Jesus and his gospel doesn’t mean we neglect ourselves—we need to be healthy to be able to live this way. But it does mean we will put Jesus and his agenda first, which means we’ll put other people before ourselves.
What’s one thing you could do today for another person that communicates the gospel (to “contending” for the Gospel)?
Here is a good way to start a conversation about the Good News of Jesus in two sentences: “There was a time I… but then I … by Jesus, and now I …Do you have a story like that?” – The 3′ video below explains how to construct this 15-seconds testimony starter.
Now it’s your turn. Write down your two sentences for the 15-second gospel conversation starter, then practice with your Christian friends, especially with the SMS chat group first: “There was a time I… but then I … by Jesus, and now I …Do you have a story like that?“
Text your response to the above prompting questions to your group and/or share it as a comment below
There was a time I believe there is no another purpose in my life beside doing good in school, get a good career, and being a good person. but then I was found by Jesus, he brought me over here and showed me His greatness and grace through His people, I been saved by Jesus, and now I’m living a life with a meaningful purpose. Do you have a story like that?
There was a time I believed that the pursuit of the American dream would fulfill my life. But then I realized the more I pursued this dream the more dissatisfied I became with life and the futility of this pursuit. My life was changed forever by Jesus, and now I have found purpose and satisfaction in the living God. Do you have a story like that?
I found this exercise helpful in “contextualizing” my “contending” for the Gospel. I have 3 versions so far (all true) depending on who I am talking to:
Through this exercise, I also realize that the Gospel is not just something you experienced at one point in your life and then it stops. But the Gospel is what God is constantly and continually working to form you more and more in His image.