WEEK THREE: DAY 16

For the Sake of the Gospel

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Psalm 67; 1 Corinthians 9

Focus Scripture

“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel.”

1 Corinthians 9:22–23

Prepare Your Heart

Paul was willing to surrender preferences and adjust his approach so that unnecessary barriers would not keep people from hearing the gospel. He knew he could not save anyone, but he was willing to do whatever faithfulness required so that some might hear and believe. Loving our neighbor means caring enough about people to move toward them rather than always expecting them to move toward us.

Pray

• Thank God for the people who crossed barriers, made sacrifices, and intentionally shared Christ with you.

• Ask God to reveal where comfort, routine, fear, or preference keeps you from engaging people who need Jesus.

• Pray for Christians in our church to build genuine friendships with people who are far from God.

• Ask God to give you wisdom to understand the people around you and communicate the gospel in ways they can understand.

• Ask God to give Steadfast an increasing burden for people throughout Western North Carolina and to the ends of the earth.

• Pray for your One More. Ask God for one clear opportunity to move toward them this week.

You do not need to manufacture an opportunity. Ask God to help you recognize the one He gives you.

One More

Think about your One More’s world. What matters to them? What are they carrying? What questions are they asking? Look for an opportunity to enter their world rather than expecting them to enter yours.