Avatar Part 2 – The Gift of Love

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the latest of our short video talks. Once you have watched the video, we encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

To listen to the talk click here.
 
Reading:

Romans chapter 12 verses 6-13

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honouring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.

Prayer & Reflection

Lord God we confess that there are times when rather than seeking your good and perfect will, we conform to and try to fit in with the society that we live in. Please forgive us.

Lord we thank you that you have given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Please help us to use these abilities and to serve enthusiastically in your church, to be patient in trouble and to always be prayerful. Above all Lord, please help us to continue to love each other with genuine affection.

We ask these things in Jesus name, AMEN.



Questions to Consider

1. Can you think of examples of how our our culture is trying to shape us and mould us into its own idealised (AVATAR Type) way of life?

2. Paul says that “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” Are you aware of those things that you can do well? If no, what will you do to discover them? If yes, how are you using them in God’s service?

3. Do you “hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good”? If yes, what examples would you give? If no, what will you do to address this?

4. Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? If you don’t think that is the case, what do you think Paul meant when he wrote, “Be glad for all God is planning for you.”

5. Would you describe yourself as “patient in trouble, and always prayerful”? Do your friends and family agree with your assessment?

6. Do you agree that ‘love’ is more about what people do than about how they feel: it’s an act of will? Is it really possible to love someone even though you don’t like them?