Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
“What’s In It for Me?” Church
Dr. Thom Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. He has spent most of his life studying local churches. One of the real problems he has seen develops when church members have a “What’s in it for me?” mentality. This leads to an expectation that the church exists to serve me and meet my needs. Rainer notes, “It’s our nature to be selfish. It’s our nature to want others to serve us rather than be the servants. So how do we make the change to live wisely among our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ? Is it just a matter of stiffening our resolve and willing ourselves to serve whether we like it or not?”1
Is that how it’s done? Get a stiff upper lip and plow on through to serve?
Not exactly. This is why we need to change the culture in the church.
A New Culture
This new culture is a biblical culture, centered on Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. This King of Glory willingly gave up His rights and prerogatives in order to come into a small Middle Eastern country in the first century to serve others. He ultimately laid down His life in service to His Father on behalf of everyone in the world. Jesus Christ is the ultimate servant.
Jesus, while speaking about leadership, indicated to His disciples that true leaders are those who serve everyone. “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be the first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life – a ransom for many.”2
God expects serving to be the norm for His people. Those who are discipled are like the Master. Since the Master was a joyful servant, so shall His disciples be.
This culture of service is counter-cultural to the “what’s in it for me” church.
Serving Together With Joy Connects People
The Psalmist recognized the connection between joy and serving. “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”3 If we find joy and service to be disconnected, there is a good chance we aren’t viewing service from God’s perspective.
In the local church, people connect through serving. There is a level of connection that happens in small group communities. But there is a different level of connection when those people serve together. Striving toward a goal and working in concert for the glory of God binds people together in a way that few other things will.
Do you want to connect with people in your church? Serve in some way. Volunteer as an usher, parking lot attendant, choir or praise team member, preschool helper, small group leader, Sunday School teacher, youth worker, food pantry organizer, and scores of other opportunities. Don’t be an observer! Be a contributor. Make your church a better place for someone else to visit! You will find your connection with people – and God – grows stronger.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention
1– Bible Studies for Life, Connected, Thom Rainer
2– Mark 10:42-45, HCSB
3– Psalm 100:2, HCSB
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Power of Words in A Relationship
We have six grandchildren eight years of age and under. Just a few weeks ago, we spent five days on the beach in the same house with our grandchildren. It was a grand experience, but periodically, challenging. Why?
One would say words to another that were not always uplifting. No one taught them to do that, they have a nature problem. We have a nature problem – our nature is sinful. And many times, just as Jesus said, what is in the heart comes out, usually through the words we use with other people. From children to teenagers to adults, we all have testimonies about how the words of others have hurt us.
Words that build up and words that tear down
There is probably no one alive who hasn’t experienced the power of words to hurt feelings and wound souls. Many children grow into adulthood forever scarred by parents, who never abused them physically, but never ceased abusing them through bitter, angry, or careless words.
Dr. Thom Rainer writes in Bible Studies for Life, “You and I can both remember a time – maybe even recently – when someone said something that slipped past our defenses and struck home. Maybe it was a casual comment. Maybe it was a direct attack. Either way, we can still feel the emotional wound where those words cut with the sharpness of a knife.”1 Yes, it even happens to adults.
The book of Ephesians speaks to how we use words. “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear…All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.” (4:29, 31) The Christian life is advertised by Christian lips. What is in us comes out through our words. It is imperative our words be used for building up rather than for tearing down.
What gentleness can build, anger can destroy
Anger is a problem for many believers. Anger is compounded when it manifests itself in angry outbursts, unkind words, or judgmental responses. The love of Christ manifests itself in strengthening speech, just as the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. What gentleness can build, anger can destroy.
The way we talk to others either connects us or disconnects us in a relationship. When we are in small groups for community, we have the opportunity to encourage those who are hurting. These opportunities must be taken! The world is a difficult place to live, with attacks from every side. Scripture warns that Satan desires to devour followers of God (1 Peter 5:). The last thing Christians need is to be devoured by other Christians.
Questions that open doors
As we think about connecting with others by having a meaningful relationship, consider how you might use words to connect with people. What kind of questions open doors rather than closing them? Questions such as:
- Did you have a good week?
- Has God blessed you in some special way recently?
- Is there a specific way I can pray for you this week?
- Can I pray with you about that issue at work you were talking about in our small group?
- I’m available this week if you’d like to get together and talk about it. What time is good for you?
Go the extra mile this week with someone else. Learn the power of connecting with other people by using words that bring life rather than death. This is what builds marriages, families, churches, and communities. To God’s glory, use your words to nourish others this week.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.