Living and Speaking It Forward…

DAILY READING

1 Timothy 6:11-12
Psalm 93

1 Timothy 6:11-12 is Paul’s advice as an elder to a young disciple, a member of the next generation to carry the message of Jesus.  Timothy was the pastor of the church in Ephesus and as such, had many ‘church’ issues to manage. He was thought to carry a special gift of prophecy, and Paul addressed him as ‘my son’.  Ernestly, Paul addresses the ‘bottom line’ for Timothy as a Christian.

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [NIV]

This reminds me of a favorite text from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. [NIV]To write something on our hearts [to hold it as an internal value]; to display something on our foreheads [to place that something where it can be seen by all]; to direct the use of our hands [to be reminded that our labors are offered in the name of Jesus]; to fight the good fight [to pray and to yearn for what is right]…all these phrases speak to me of the makings of legacy, the kind that carries faith forward. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• If Paul were to write to you, what words or reminders of living out the faith would you need? 
• If you wrote your son or daughter an instructional/life wisdom letter, what would it contain? What character traits and faith sustaining practices would you encourage? 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Write a legacy letter to your son, daughter, niece, nephew, etc.  Send or share the letter with them.  Follow up to invite conversation or check for questions. 
• If older family members are available, ask them what in their Christian walk has proven most valuable.  If they are not Christian, ask what life lesson has been most important.

PRAYER GUIDE

Dear Jesus, you ask me to carry a message of love within my thoughts, words, and actions.  You challenge me every day with your excellent example and teachings.  I know that you are a gift to me and, as well, through me.  Show me the Way! 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.