A Welcoming Heart
This year we want to grow in being an even more welcoming and hospitable church. To be a more welcoming church, we need to be a more loving church. This love doesn’t originate with our hands in what we do, but rather with our hearts in what we desire.
To help you grow to be more like Jesus by loving like Jesus, listen to Sunday’s sermon, “A Welcoming Heart”, and ask yourself these ten questions based on Romans 12:9-18. Identify the three questions where you most need to grow. These are likely the questions that make you feel the most uncomfortable, that you hadn’t ever considered, that press on you the most, or that you push back on the most. Write these questions down in your journal or the margins of your Bible and pray that God would grow your heart in loving others!
Do I genuinely love what God loves?
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)
Do I truly love God’s people?
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)
Do I passionately serve God?
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
Do I still love God in the midst of suffering?
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
Do I desire to help those in need?
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)
Do I love my enemies?
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14)
Do I make time to actively love and empathize with the people in my life?
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
Do I ever think I am better than others?
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Romans 12:16)
Do I ever seek revenge against someone who has wronged me?
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Romans 12:17)
Do I try to understand those I disagree with?
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)