Open Hearts to the Word
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me see the opportunities I have to teach your Word to others. Amen
READ:
“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” Luke 24:13-16, 25-27, 30-32 NIV
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV
REFLECT:
Luke 24:32 has always intrigued me. Recently when I was listening to a chapter from MacArthur’s book on the Inerrancy of the Word, he stresses that we cannot have this type of reaction (burning hearts) to the Scripture if we are only serving snack and fast foods in our teaching. To accomplish the burning depth felt by the disciples we must be serving up the “meat of the Word.”
Paul gives the formula for this in 2 Timothy. It must begin in infancy and that is why I am so excited about Pathway having the Kidslink program and strong children and youth programs that use the Scriptures as their guide for their curriculum and activities. This will help children grow wise and put their faith in Christ Jesus. Small group Bible studies and the new Trail Guide mentoring will help adults grow, if we use the Word to teach, rebuke, correct, and train participants.
APPLY:
Even if you are not a teacher or preacher, you do not escape the responsibility of passing on the Word of God and your faith in Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul reminds Timothy that his faith came from both his grandmother and mother. As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors we can teach children and others the Scriptures.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, help me to be open to taking every opportunity I have to open the Word to others. Amen
WORSHIP: