Facing the Tests

DAILY READING

Philippians 1:9-11

Barbara Brokoff tells of a school and a county rescue squad’s efforts to create a “mock air attack drill” in the 1950s. The alarm went off, and the school chose a 4^th-grade boy to lie on a stretcher, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. 

Everyone forgot to call the ambulance, and when the teacher called, she called the wrong county. Eventually, another teacher called the right county, but the ambulance took forever to arrive. 

Toward the end of the day, the ambulance, police, and fire trucks arrived. The crew ran through the school to the fourth-grade room, where the rescuers found only the stretcher with a note, “I done bled to death and gone home!” This test failed.

Paul and Timothy passed their test when they were jailed in Philippi. As a result, a strong, vibrant church arose. Paul is now encouraging the Philippians to overflow in love, knowledge, and insight so when they face their tests, they will be pure and blameless, producing a harvest of righteousness through Christ for the glory of God.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What are some tests you’ve passed? Failed?
• Paul suggests that overflowing in love, knowledge, and insight in our relationship with God will help us prepare for whatever life’s tests we encounter. How might you focus on God’s love, knowledge, and insight as you face today’s tests?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Discuss tests you face as a family—being considerate, helpful, honest, loving, forgiveness, cooperative, patient, kind.
• Discuss how you might focus on God’s love as you help each other today and tomorrow.

PRAYER GUIDE

Dear most loving and gracious God, thank you for our lives. Please help me grow in your love such that your love helps me through whatever I face today. In your gracious name, I humbly ask. Amen.

WRITE FOR THE FIELD GUIDE

Are you inspired by the Daily Field Guide devotions each week? You can inspire others in the congregation with your reflections on God’s word by becoming a Field Guide author! Contact Jason Alteri at jalteri@bumc.net to learn more.