October 12th & 16th, 2022
One More
The Skill of Discovery
Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
—1 John 2:6 (NLT)
Today: The skill of Discovery
A fully present act of listening and asking questions to find out where a person’s heart is.
…The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart.
—Matthew 12:34b (NCV)
…Your mouth says what comes from inside you.
—Matthew 12:34b (GWT)
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
—John 8:1-11 (NIV)
Jesus listens/I listen.
To answer before listening - that is folly and shame.
—Proverbs 18:13 (NIV)
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
—John 8:6-8 (NIV)
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord
—Jeremiah 17:13 (NIV)
“Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because Christians are talking where they should be listening.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
—Your Mom 1:3
Jesus asks/I ask.
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
—Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
—John 8:10 (NIV)
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I invite Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. I desire to be a better/more effective in all relationships by listening/asking.
3. I want to live a life that cares for others and not just myself.
4. I will practice the Skill of Discovery this week and love my one by inviting them to church.