q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—April 5, 6, 7 • Gaining Perspective I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death . . . Philippians 3:10 A few years ago, I met an out-of-town man for breakfast. He was of retirement age, unemployed, with first and second mortgages on two homes. He and his wife were constantly fighting. He said, “I have a twomillion dollar life insurance policy. I’ve decided to take my own life.” I asked him, “Why are you here?” He wasn’t sure. I said, “It’s pretty clear you’ve lost hope, and I think it’s because you have no plan.” I introduced him to Philippians 3:10 (see above). I explained that, from a Biblical perspective, his sufferings are a precious gift from God. They are God’s Word translated into the language of pain. Sometimes that type of communication will drive us to find God’s perspective, which we find in Scripture. I told that man I could not define God’s will for him, but I certainly could outline what I would do in the same situation. I laid out a plan for selling both homes and consolidating the resulting money to buy one townhome. I suggested that he get a job to
show his wife he was willing to work. Color returned to his face as he wrote down the plan. A few weeks later I received an email. That man was reading his Bible regularly, and he described some things he was learning and re-learning. Not only had his hope been restored, but he was already reaching out to others who seemed depressed! What changed him? He became confident that his Bible really was God’s Word to him. God’s Word was making him alive, and was re-creating him as an agent of Christ’s love. MIMBS 1 With some brothers, share some biblical lessons that have changed your perspective. Who do you know that could use a new perspective based on Biblical principles? How can you help them engage with God’s Word? Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1–32:27, Luke 11:14–12:34, Psalm 77:1–78:55, Proverbs 12:18–23
For Your Small Group
❏❏ April 1–6: Make a list of what the Bible means to you (ex. God’s Word, Guide Book, Daily Devotional, history book, etc.). •• Are those ideas something that you were taught or did you learn them on your own? •• What is the most important thing you have learned from the Bible? •• How would you encourage someone else to make the Bible part of their daily life?
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