Transformation Journal. Carolyn Slaughter
Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 9 shows an approach to serving that was joyful and purposeful. He was not motivated by monetary rewards but rather was willing to do whatever it took "to win as many as possible" to Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:7-27
• What rights did Paul have as an apostle (spiritual leader)? Why did he give them up?
• What would you be willing to give up financially, relationally, or professionally in order that you "might win some"?
thursday
What Does Good Stewardship Of My Christian Lifestyle Look Like?
You are to grow in maturity in Christ and are provided the resources personally and through the church to become a mature follower of Jesus. It's up to you to manage those resources by making the hard choices that will accomplish the goal.
Ephesians 4:11–5:20
• You are to "be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise." From today's Scripture, what are some behaviors that characterize wise living?
• As you grow in maturity in Christ, what are some old patterns that are fading away? What new patterns are replacing them?
friday
What Does Time Management Have To Do With Stewardship Of God's Resources?
Psalm 90 recalls a prayer of Moses as he prepared God's people to enter the Promised Land. An example of a life well lived, Moses knew the importance of maximizing the time granted us to accomplish God's purpose and fully serve God.
Psalm 90
• List the references to time in this psalm. What insight do you have as to what it means to rightly number your days?
• How are you doing in managing your time in a way that honors and serves God? What could be improved?
saturday
What Key Practice Do I Need To Develop To Become A Good Overall Steward Of God's Resources?
Your ability to manage God's resources well lies in your ability to embrace simplicity as a life discipline. Living with just one focus simplifies you on the inside and results in freedom from attachment to things, schedules, and the need for status, position, and success. Your focus is redirected to Christ alone.
Matthew 6:19-34 and 11:25-30
• Simplicity is an active pursuit, not a passive lifestyle. What one thing are you to pursue that will clarify your focus and simplify your life (Matthew 6:33)?
• One of the fruits of a simple lifestyle is greater freedom from worry and anxiety. What causes you the most worry? How could simplifying your life reduce the worry?
sunday
What Is The Difference Between Godly Love And Worldly Lust?
Because godly love acted out through your life is such a powerful force for good, the power of evil has fabricated a very strong and destructive counterfeit: lust. Just as godly love represents giving, sacrificing, and looking out for others, lust acts out in self-seeking, self-benefiting behaviors that ultimately harm others and destroy relationships. Because lust is such a strong force, you must continually stay alert to its temptation and stay faithful to living out God's love in your behavior instead.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-9, 1 Peter 4:1-8, and Ephesians 5:1-7
• From today's passages, how is passionate lust different from godly love? How can acting on lust take advantage of and wrong other people?
• Think through your relationships as well as your work, priorities, and goals. Are your choices in each of them based on godly love, or on self-benefiting lust?
monday
What Is The True Definition Of Love?
At times it's difficult to get an accurate picture of love. Popular culture continually bombards everyone with the emotional aspect of love but rarely describes the active sacrifice that real love requires. True godly love is not just based on feelings but expresses itself as an active commitment to others—always wanting the best for them, instead of thinking first of yourself.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
• In 1 Corinthians 13, what active characteristics of love are named? What does real love not do?
• Think about each characteristic of love and write down the names of persons who have loved you in this way. Give thanks for each person.
tuesday
Where Can I Get Motivation To Love Others?
Because authentic love is so sacrificial, you may have a hard time honestly loving other persons in your own power. In fact, without God's help you could never truly love or even understand love. God is the essence of love. With God present in your heart, you can truly love others by an outpouring of God's love through you.
1 John 4:7-21 and John 13:34-35
• According to today's readings, what is the most visible sign of God's love? How does loving others prove that you know God?
• To whom can you specifically show God's love today?
wednesday
What Is Loving Others Supposed To Look Like?
You have read about the true characteristics of love and the source of that love, but how does that love actually affect your relationship with others? Godly love puts others first, just as Christ himself loved you enough to die for you. The Bible is clear: love is an action word.
1 John 3:11-24 and John 15:12-13
• What particular actions of love are named in the 1 John passage?
• "Laying down your life" for others means choosing unselfish actions on behalf of others. Give an example of someone whose actions fit that definition. What did the person do?
thursday
How Can I Know God Genuinely Loves Me?
Mere human words could never fully describe the incredibly deep love that God has for you. As you read today's passages, be encouraged that God's love for you is higher, deeper, and wider than you could ever imagine or comprehend. Because God has first loved you, you are empowered to love others in a healthy way.
Romans 8:31-39, 5:6-8, and John 3:16-17
• How much does