Not too many years ago I would occasionally find myself behind the pulpit, delivering the word, as sermons or teachings were referred to in our church. I vividly recall my final word. I was well into my message when it dawned on me, mid-sentence, that those rows of people in front of me could have taken the same time I had with the scriptures and been much better off.

The timing of this revelation was disastrous! While I was just trying to keep the show on the road, I was being interrupted by one hostile thought after another: “They will never learn to feed themselves or fly if they are not shooed from the nest.” “Baby birds will perish and it will be Mama’s fault if she doesn’t do the shoving.” It struck me that in delivering the weekly word I was complicit in maintaining a spiritual welfare culture. Since that memorable day, I have often thought: I must learn how to keep my thoughts from myself. I unknowingly crossed a line that day and I haven’t been able to find my way back.

Today, my yardstick for measuring a shepherd’s effectiveness is not how many people attend his gatherings or how much money has been collected. (Any church can achieve those things with a strong speaker and a good worship band.) It is how many convert/attenders they have transformed into disciples. How many believers have they taught to feed themselves and fly? The best preachers are not just conveyors of Bible gems. They also ask penetrating, equipping heart-level questions which send believers off to their prayer closets, bible-in-hand, to consider what God has spoken to them and how they shall obey that word.

So, today I’ll take my own council and simply offer you some questions relating to our passage. Over time, this practice of personally asking and seeking causes our wings to grow because we are being nourished in ways that passive listening (to even to the best sermons) cannot accomplish. In this mode, believers eventually hear their own word, from God. This habit is key to enjoying a personal relationship with Him.

According to Paul, what are normal emotions for a follower of Christ?

If we have not prayed with accuracy or eloquence, why might this passage offer us hope? 

What can separate us from God’s love?

In what set of circumstances does Paul say we will overwhelmingly conquer?

To what is Paul asking us to compare our “present” circumstances?

What are we to anticipate between predestination and glorification?

What future event are believers and creation greatly anticipating?

On what basis might a follower of Christ take courage when the events of their life seem wasteful, unfair or painful?

Importantly: What is God speaking to you?

Most importantly: What is God asking you to do?

When we take the time to search the scripture’s we will taste the meat. As we meditate and wrestle with God, in His Word, we will draw from it the essential nourishment our spirits require. Believers who do this long enough become disciples and are weaned from dependency upon pastor’s milk. Truth and revelation become our own. A pastor’s goal should be to eventually wean each young Christian from him, bringing them to appropriate levels of independence and maturity.

Father, bring many sons into maturity for Your name’s sake. Amen.

 

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