Key Verse: Acts 2:32 "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact."
Little cups filled with grape juice. Little pieces of bland bread. Must be communion time again. We've all probably participated in communion, but do we actually understand what's going on? In the rituals supposedly included cannibalism-at least that's what some had to eat the body and drink the blood of Jesus. I guess to an outsider it does sound strange, but communion is an intimate and precious thing to a Christian.
Jesus asked us to regularly take part in communion. It's a continual reminder of Christ's sacrifice and constant union with us. If we don't keep this in mind, then we could miss out on the spiritual impact that communion can bring. Paul taught the churches to practice communion, but he had harsh words for those who failed to approach the communion table properly (for example, the Corinthians).
Does communion make sense to you? It's one of the church's most intensely personal traditions. This week we're going to spend some time looking at what happens when we take communion. Why did Jesus tell us to keep doing it? what's it about anyway? Look deep this week; there may be much more going on than you've ever imagined.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Student Devotion Week 35: Accountability: First Letter To The Corinthians (Part 2 of 4)
Key Verse: Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
I never would've survived high school without my best friends. Together we had some of the best years of our lives, but we also kept each other from straying away from Christ. We were accountable to one another.
In week 9 we figured out that if we're going to have integrity as a church, then we can't let sin go unchecked. That's easy enough when we're the problem, but it gets a little harder when we have to tell someone else what they're doing in wrong. That's where accountability comes in.
As Paul planted churches, he didn't forget about them once he left. While he traveled, he routinely kept track of them and even made return visits to make sure they stayed healthy. So when Paul found out the Corinthians were allowing sin to go unchecked, he wrote a letter to keep them accountable to their commitment to Christ.
Every now and then we'll have friends who stray off the path. When that happens, we need to be there to help them get back on the right track, just like we'll need them to help us. I know it sounds unpleasant, and it can get messy. But when we actually start holding each other accountable, you'll be surprised how much it helps your own spiritual life. Instead of dealing with sin on your own, you can tackle it with the help of your Christian friends. But it starts when we're honest about our own lives and open to listening to others when they confront us.
Ready? Let's figure out how we can hold each other accountable this week.
I never would've survived high school without my best friends. Together we had some of the best years of our lives, but we also kept each other from straying away from Christ. We were accountable to one another.
In week 9 we figured out that if we're going to have integrity as a church, then we can't let sin go unchecked. That's easy enough when we're the problem, but it gets a little harder when we have to tell someone else what they're doing in wrong. That's where accountability comes in.
As Paul planted churches, he didn't forget about them once he left. While he traveled, he routinely kept track of them and even made return visits to make sure they stayed healthy. So when Paul found out the Corinthians were allowing sin to go unchecked, he wrote a letter to keep them accountable to their commitment to Christ.
Every now and then we'll have friends who stray off the path. When that happens, we need to be there to help them get back on the right track, just like we'll need them to help us. I know it sounds unpleasant, and it can get messy. But when we actually start holding each other accountable, you'll be surprised how much it helps your own spiritual life. Instead of dealing with sin on your own, you can tackle it with the help of your Christian friends. But it starts when we're honest about our own lives and open to listening to others when they confront us.
Ready? Let's figure out how we can hold each other accountable this week.
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