5:30 – Active or Passive Engagement

#faithbites #faithjourney active

Intro

I’ve been thinking a lot about entertainment and how I spend my time. Some people like books, some movies and shows, and some video games. (Yes, there are other ways to engage but we will focus on this). I’ve realized I like video games more because it’s active. My choices and my performance effect the game. Reading and watching don’t have that effect on me. Now, I love watching TV or a movie with other people so we can talk about it. I love talking science fiction and superheros and What If scenarios. It’s active and engaging.

Faith can be like this as well. If you attend church, go home and so your thing, are you really active in your faith? How can we use God’s examples to help us be more active in our lives, our decisions, and our faith?

Questions

• How do define being active in your faith?
• What does being an active participant in your life mean?

Scripture

• 1 Timothy 4:8 – For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
• Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with end

Reflecfion

Most of our doctor’s say that we will be in better health if we are more active and exercise. Without exercise, our muscles atrophy and become weak. We need to be physically and spiritually active.

Jesus describes life as a race and those who preserve will win the race. You can’t run a race without running. You need to engage. There is nothing wrong with going to church on a Sunday and listening to the message. It’s just like reading a book and understanding what was written. The next step is to use the knowledge and discuss the message with others. Help them see the Word, grow, and debate. Healthy debate is key to growing and learning.

As we close, life and faith shouldn’t be a passive activity. Be engaged, active, and enjoy life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray that you give us your power and determination to be active in the faith. Help us to grow, share, and be engage in every aspect of our lives. Stir us when we are passive and help us engage with others. In your name, Amen.