1/17/2024 0 Comments Jesus Said ItThere is a trend today for grandparents to choose a unique name for themselves or have one selected for them. I go by Saba, which is Hebrew for grandfather. Similar to it is the word Abba, meaning father, and Jesus uses it when he prays to God. At one point, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and he started with, “Our Father…” Whenever Jesus talked about God, he used the masculine pronouns, and for many Christians, this fact alone eliminates the pronoun argument about God.
Question 1: Why do you think Jesus used masculine names for God? Question 2: Why do you think he never used feminine pronouns for God? Challenge: I have noticed through the years that there are some people who never use a pronoun for God and just say his name, God. Listen to the way you pray, speak about God, and think through why you choose to do it the way you do.
0 Comments
1/16/2024 0 Comments Is God Feminine?All of us are made in the image of God. In Genesis 1:27, God says he made us in his image and then defines that image as male and female. With that understanding, we can see that God has male and female within his nature so that even though God uses the he/him pronouns, every feminine characteristic came from him and is within him. This is why God can be referred to as being like a mother who comforts her child (Isa. 66:13) or as a mother bear robbed of her cubs (Hosea 13:8).
Question 1: How would you respond to someone who said God is also our mother? Question 2: How would you explain how God is he and feminine? Challenge: Work hard to understand that God is not a male just because we say he when referring to God. He is all that is male and female, for we were made in his image. 1/15/2024 0 Comments God's PronounsIt has been the tradition to call God he/him, but about 20 years ago, there was a strong movement to call God she/her, and today there is a movement to call God them/they. It must be noted that God is nonbinary, God transcends gender and is the creator of gender, and that both genders come from God, “Let us make human beings in our image…in the image of God he created them; male and female.” When God refers to himself, God uses the third person us/our and seems to be referring to this triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), but every other reference to God is he/him.
Question 1: Why does it matter what pronoun we use for God? Question 2: How does the pronoun you use for God influence how you see God? Challenge: Discuss with someone you feel you can trust about the three pronouns used for God and see what insights you can gain in understanding the reason and value of the he/him choice. 1/12/2024 0 Comments God's MasterpieceYou are God’s masterpiece. Your personality style is God-given for the work He wants you to do and the impact He wants you to make. Rather than wishing you had someone’s else style, take that energy and work on how you can use your style to love God and others.
Question 1: What do you think is your DISC style? Question 2: How can you use your style to love God and others? Challenge: Most of us are blends of 2 or even 3 of the DISC styles. If you’re interested in a detailed DISC report, contact Brian. 1/11/2024 0 Comments The C StyleMoses is a Biblical character who exhibits the C or the correct style. In today’s passage, God gives Moses the task of administrating Israel’s first census, hence the name of the book “Numbers”. Moses executes the task with precision, bringing a sense of order to a chaotic situation. C-style personalities value accuracy and can be counted on for their high quality of work.
Question 1: What are some positive traits of the “C” personality style? Question 2: Who in your life has characteristics of the “C” personality style? Challenge: When communicating with a “C” personality, support your ideas with data and disagree with facts rather than the person when disagreeing. 1/10/2024 0 Comments The S StyleMartha is a Biblical character who exhibits the S or the steady style. In today’s passage, Martha demonstrates characteristics of the S style. She’s worried about others, taking care of details, and welcoming guests to her home. S-style personalities are steady and loyal and can be counted on to get the job done.
Question 1: What are some positive traits of the “S” personality style? Question 2: Who in your life has characteristics of the “S” personality style? Challenge: When communicating with an “S” personality, express genuine interest in them as a person and give them time to adjust to change. 1/9/2024 0 Comments The I StyleAbigail is a Biblical character who exhibits the I or the influencer style. In today’s passage, Abigail uses her intuitive abilities and relationship skills to serve David and navigate a difficult dynamic with her husband, Nabal. For I-style personalities, they include others and often are the first to sense what’s wrong with people.
Question 1: What are some positive traits of the “I” personality style? Question 2: Who in your life has characteristics of the “I” personality style? Challenge: When communicating with an “I” personality, give them opportunities to speak and then listen to them as these folks process information verbally. 1/8/2024 0 Comments The D StylePaul is a Biblical character who exhibits the D or the dominant style. In today’s passage, Paul confronts Peter “to his face” for Peter’s double-standard on eating with Jews and Gentiles. The D style is comfortable with conflict and isn’t afraid to address issues. For D-style personalities, the conflict and the confrontation aren’t personal; it’s simply what needs to be done.
Question 1: What are some positive traits of the “D” personality style? Question 2: Who in your life has characteristics of the “D” personality style? Challenge: When communicating with a “D” personality, focus on how you can help them and talk about solutions, not problems. 1/5/2024 0 Comments Nothing Is ImpossibleMoney is something that seems to make life infinitely easier. How often have you thought: “If I only had just a little bit more, I could …?” Jesus surprised everyone around him by saying that not only is money not necessary, it can even be an obstacle to entering the kingdom of God! Ultimately, his answer is we are not able to ensure our own salvation: Only God has that power. We have to turn our eyes toward Jesus.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you ever catch yourself thinking: “If I just do this, then everything will turn out right” – trying to find the solution to your problems on your own? 2. What’s your go-to verse to remember that God is in charge? Challenge: Hold the memory that God is with us through the early days of 2024. If we’re holding onto God’s hand, we don’t need to fret about the future. 1/4/2024 0 Comments Unexpected SacrificeMemorizing the Ten Commandments is such a great foundation for kids, and for us, too. But Jesus reminded his disciples over and over that it’s the heart that he’s concerned with. He knows our hearts, and he wants our hearts to look more and more like his, as impossible as that sounds. Jesus identified the obstacle for this rich young ruler, something completely unexpected in that culture – and ours, too. As Jesus followers, we also have to be prepared to make sacrifices.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you had to sacrifice something specifically because you are a Jesus follower? 2. What is it hard for you to give up as a Christian? Challenge: Depending on where you are in life, you might be an expert by now in sacrificing your time or money for the sake of Jesus. The end of one year and the beginning of a new one, though, is a good time to take a look at your life and how willing you are to step up when it’s difficult. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
Receive this devotional in your inbox every Monday - Friday.
|