Central Truth

When we accept the word of God and truly believe it, God will use His word to work powerfully in our lives.

Reflections

Just after college I spent a year teaching high school English at a mission school in Nigeria, West Africa. The school had incredible Bible classes, a talented chaplain, and nurturing teachers- not to mention the fact that it was supported by a thriving missionary community. It was easy to assume that the kids were all Christians, but I quickly learned that was not the case.
 
There was a senior boy in one of my classes who was the most withdrawn person I had ever met. At lunchtime he would choose a tree that was the farthest away from everyone else and sit there alone to eat. The same was true for any free time he had during the day. His classmates continually made an effort to include him, but they were usually greeted with a hostile response followed by his demand to be left alone. Even in class he did his best to be isolated by avoiding eye contact and speaking only when asked direct questions. It was behavior I had never seen before, especially in a Christian community.

Toward the end of the year, though, things changed. While the senior class was on a trip to Ghana, this boy approached one of his classmates and excitedly asked if they could talk. In the next few days his behavior was radically different. He began to participate in group activities, smiled and laughed with the other students, and talked to as many of his classmates as possible about how he made a decision to follow Jesus for the first time. Something miraculous took place in this young man's life. 

Upon returning to campus, the senior class led a spiritual revival sparked by one boy who realized for the first time that the word of God is truly God's word and not just the opinions and ideas of human beings. He accepted that the word of God is living and powerful to change the hearts of men including his own. This young man's testimony perfectly illustrates the truth that when we accept God's word it will radically work in our lives.

Discussion Questions

1. What are ways the word of God has worked miraculously in your life or the life of someone you know?
2. Paul writes to believers in 1 Thessalonians who are experiencing persecution. He affirms that they accepted the word of God, not a philosophy or opinion of man. How might this make a difference in the way they handle persecution?
3. How has your acceptance of God's word instead of man's word made a difference when you have dealt with difficult situations?