In this series of Church Without Walls we’re suggesting to you that church looks like spending time with God. Spending time with God makes room for the Holy Spirit to meet your deepest needs. We encourage personal devotions using scripture to guide us as a helpful tool in allowing God to work in our hearts. In this devotion, look for wisdom in the steps of Josiah as he follows father’s footsteps.
Make room for the Holy Spirit to meet your deepest needs.
CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS ACTIVITY CHALLENGE
Devotion Activity #4
2 Chronicles 34: 1-2
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
FOLLOWING FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Josiah was still a child when he became King of Jerusalem, yet he ruled with integrity and a steadfast resolve to walk in the ways of God, just as his father David had done. This story I was reminds us that we always have people watching and learning from us, just as we are learning from those around us. Not all of us have our own children, but God has called each one of us to be Spiritual Mothers and Fathers to those in our community.
God puts people in our lives to bless us, lead us, and spiritually parent us. But we have to let them in.
Some people avoid the relationship of spiritual mothers and fathers because of fear of control or manipulation. But when it functions healthily, this relationship is truly a gift from God for our growth and health as believers.
So, how can you develop positive, Godly relationships with the spiritual parents or spiritual children in your life?
- Start with your own sonship journey
- Let people lead you
- Live life together
- Become a disciple
- Avoid the pitfall of control
- Mature People: ask God who to pour into
- Daughters and Sons: be present
- Allow God to father you
(If this list speaks to you, check out the full article here at Catch the Fire.)
NOT SO DEEP STUDY
If you have younger children, (or you like cartoons yourself!), here is a great clip you can watch together and then have a family discussion about Josiah and how he followed God and lived a righteous life.
A great question to ask your kids is, “How can we be like Josiah?”
CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS
In reflecting on who influences you and who you have influence over, here are some questions to think about:
- How are your actions positively affecting those around you?
- Do people who know you, know what you stand for?
- Are you living in a way which points people to their Heavenly Father?
- How could you take a bold step of faith this week?