October 7th, 2024
Let’s set our hearts on H.E.A.R. (ing) from the Lord as we prayerfully read the letter to the Philippians, chapter 2.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
Let’s ZOOM into Vs. 3 & 4 for insight on LISTENING with care to our neighbors- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”
Good listening goes hand in hand with the mind-set of Christ (v.5). It flows from a humble heart that counts others more significant than ourselves (v.3). It looks not only to its own interests, but also the interests of others (V.4). It is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who stood against the evil of the Nazi influence in the 1930-40’s; He was also an insightful Christian author & martyr. He writes in his book, Life Together, “Half-eared listening despises the brother and is only waiting for a chance to speak and thus get rid of the other person. Poor listening rejects; good listening embraces. Poor listening diminishes the other person, while good listening invites them to exist, and to matter. Just as love to God begins with listening to his Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”
Prayer prompt – “Lord, I pray I can love you with a listening heart to Your Word. Deepen my love for others by learning to listen to them with my whole-ears, for I pray humbly. Amen!”
- H. – highlight – i.e. Prayerfully take time to highlight or underline the words or phrases that stick out most to you.
- E. – explain - Thoughtfully write out in your own words what you understand and why it’s significant.
- A. – apply – i.e. – consider ways this passage connects to your life.
- R. – respond – i.e. – prayerful response with your heart to the Word for transformation.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
Let’s ZOOM into Vs. 3 & 4 for insight on LISTENING with care to our neighbors- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”
Good listening goes hand in hand with the mind-set of Christ (v.5). It flows from a humble heart that counts others more significant than ourselves (v.3). It looks not only to its own interests, but also the interests of others (V.4). It is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who stood against the evil of the Nazi influence in the 1930-40’s; He was also an insightful Christian author & martyr. He writes in his book, Life Together, “Half-eared listening despises the brother and is only waiting for a chance to speak and thus get rid of the other person. Poor listening rejects; good listening embraces. Poor listening diminishes the other person, while good listening invites them to exist, and to matter. Just as love to God begins with listening to his Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”
Prayer prompt – “Lord, I pray I can love you with a listening heart to Your Word. Deepen my love for others by learning to listen to them with my whole-ears, for I pray humbly. Amen!”
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