October 8th, 2024
Let’s set our hearts on H.E.A.R. (ing) from the Lord as we prayerfully read the book of Romans, chapter 12.
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 ZERO into V.15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” LISTENING WITH CARE to our neighbor means to respond emotionally. If your neighbor shares a good happening in their life, celebrate with them; if your neighbor shares a difficulty, express concern and compassion to them – offer to pray with them.
THINK DEEPER WITH BONHOEFFER - According to Bonhoeffer, there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.” God wants more of the Christian than just our good listening, but not less. There will be days when the most important ministry we do is square our shoulders to some hurting person, uncross our arms, lean forward, make eye contact, and hear their pain all the way to the bottom.
Good listening often defuses the emotions that are a part of the problem being discussed. Sometimes releasing these emotions is all that is needed to solve the problem. The speaker may neither want nor expect us to say anything in response. “Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously.” At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.
Prayer – “Abba Father, as I think of Job in the O.T., he had friends who initially cared for his hurt as he sat in pain; these friends turned into argumentative foes when they sought to give advice. Help me to listen more and speak less to my neighbor’s pain, for I humbly pray in Jesus’ name, 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 ZERO into V.15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” LISTENING WITH CARE to our neighbor means to respond emotionally. If your neighbor shares a good happening in their life, celebrate with them; if your neighbor shares a difficulty, express concern and compassion to them – offer to pray with them.
THINK DEEPER WITH BONHOEFFER - According to Bonhoeffer, there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.” God wants more of the Christian than just our good listening, but not less. There will be days when the most important ministry we do is square our shoulders to some hurting person, uncross our arms, lean forward, make eye contact, and hear their pain all the way to the bottom.
Good listening often defuses the emotions that are a part of the problem being discussed. Sometimes releasing these emotions is all that is needed to solve the problem. The speaker may neither want nor expect us to say anything in response. “Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously.” At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.
Prayer – “Abba Father, as I think of Job in the O.T., he had friends who initially cared for his hurt as he sat in pain; these friends turned into argumentative foes when they sought to give advice. Help me to listen more and speak less to my neighbor’s pain, for I humbly pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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