Once You Leave the House
A Day with God - Part 2
May 30 - June 3

This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other.

John 13:35 (The Message)

As Christians we all have 24 hours in a day; but how can we successfully live them in a manner that reveals Christ to those we encounter all the time? Weekend services can build us up and fill us with awareness of God's presence and His love, but on Monday morning there's a danger of living a life with different rules. This is a compartmentalized life: a life that has a time for focusing on God; a life in the marketplace, playtime, and a life with friends and family. Compartmentalizing our lives allows us to honor God with part of our lives without compelling us to honor Him at all times. We can begin our days devoting time to the Lord, speaking out a few words of worship; acknowledging God is with us; remembering God's love for us; spending a few minutes memorizing Scripture, and praying. Most of us agree this simple time with God can set the tone for our day. But once we are out the door and real life hits us in the face, how do we fare? Let's look together at the problem of a compartmentalized life and how it keeps us from living in a way that continually reveals Christ to others.

MONDAY

1. LIVE IT - FAITH IN ACTION!

[Your Objective: Recognize what causes us to set faith aside during our day and resolve to be like Christ instead.]

What evidence does a tree provide about whether it is good or bad, according to Matthew 7:18-20?

  • What are examples of good and bad fruit in peoples' lives?
  • Based on what Jesus said in the Gospels, what is one way people will recognize other Christians?

What process does Paul advocate in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to ascertain whether your faith is genuine?

  • What realistic way is there for a person to make this kind of test?
  • What evidence would there be if "Jesus Christ is in you"?

Times When We Often Put Aside Our Faith:

A) When Integrity Is Required

According to 1 Chronicles 29:17, what virtue is God pleased to find in our heart?

  • What examples of integrity or uprightness could God expect to find in peoples' lives in the workplace?
  • What common work or school situations create challenges to integrity?

In contrast, what does Proverbs 11:20 say God is displeased with?

  • How might peoples' hearts get in this condition? Is this some choice they have made?

TUESDAY

B) When Money Is Involved

What does 1 Timothy 6:10 say happens to some people who are too eager for money?

  • What kinds of grief or sorrow is this verse likely warning about?
  • How can we recognize when faith is getting put aside in the workplace because of money?

What frustration does Ecclesiastes 5:10 predict for people having wrong attitudes about wealth?

  • How can people accumulate significant wealth without having a wrong attitude about it?

C) When the Pace Is Rushed

Read Luke 10:38-41. What was causing the problem described here?

  • How might hurry and fatigue impact our ability to live out our faith? Who is affected by this?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Discipleship during our day means becoming more Christ-like in character during every activity we undertake and every challenge we face, avoiding the temptation to create compartments of our life where Christ is absent. Who can you recruit as a spiritual partner in helping you recognize the daily temptations to put aside your faith and help hold you accountable to your goal of living your faith through your actions?

WEDNESDAY

2. SHARE IT - EXPRESSION OF FAITH.

[Your Objective: Understand how God longs to see the Gospel expressed through your life.]

What does Matthew 5:16 tell us about how we are to live and why?

  • What are some reasons for our reluctance when it comes to sharing our faith? Are these really reasons, or excuses?
  • Talk about the attitudes and/or behaviors we can model as Christians that are likely to attract others to Christ. Are words always necessary? Consider this quote from St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach at all times. When necessary, use words."

How to express your faith:

A) Be yourself

When you are in Christ, what does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say you about you?

  • How does this happen?
  • What kinds of things keep us from feeling or acting as if we believe this verse? Does God say it is only true sometimes?
  • What does it mean to be yourself? Discuss some examples.

B) Be listening

Galatians 5:6 refers to the only thing that counts, matters, or makes any difference. What is it?

  • How is listening to others a picture of this?
  • When we fail to give others our attention, what are we saying about ourselves?
  • How might God use the simple act of our listening as an opportunity to show His love?

THURSDAY

C) Be assured

In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, what did Paul say about the faith of the people in that church?

  • Why do you think he said that?
  • How can we live in such a way that people will see Christ in us? What can we do to make ourselves more aware of those opportunities?

Evangelism (Mission) - Think about what or who brought you to faith in Christ. Was your decision affected by the behavior of another, either positively or negatively? It's important to recognize that we can push others away from Christ if we allow ourselves to get caught up in attitudes or behavior that do not reflect God's love. Who has God has put on your heart to reach for His kingdom? Ask Him to show Himself through you whenever you interact with that person. Determine to be His message at all times.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Personally wrestle with the dangers of living a compartmentalized life and commit to honoring God with integrity in order to reveal Christ to others at all times.]

Take a few minutes to prayerfully examine a day or two from your past week to look for evidence of compartmentalizing your faith in Christ. Review the key points of this lesson to help you see some specific ways God has shaped you to reveal His character to others throughout your day. Accountability with a spiritual partner can help us grow. Ask someone who knows your daily life well to be your spiritual partner, holding you accountable and for a few months until you are both satisfied with your progress.