Empowered Listening: Building Connections Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Listening

Listening is essential for building intimacy and genuine relationships. When we fail to listen, we miss opportunities for deeper connection and understanding. Listening intently means being fully present, asking follow-up questions, and showing genuine interest in the other person. This practice can transform our relationships and make others feel valued and heard. [42:29]

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become distracted and miss the deeper connections that come from truly listening to others. The story of the young woman who felt unheard by her parents is a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of not listening. When we take the time to listen intently, we show others that they matter and that their thoughts and feelings are important. This can lead to stronger, more meaningful relationships and a greater sense of community.

Listening is not just about hearing words; it's about understanding the heart behind them. By asking follow-up questions and showing genuine interest, we can create a safe space for others to share their true selves. This kind of listening can be transformative, both for the listener and the speaker. It allows us to connect on a deeper level and build relationships that are rooted in love and understanding.

James 1:19 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you may not have listened as intently as you could have. How can you approach your next conversation with a more intentional focus on truly hearing the other person?

Day 2: Begin with Prayer

Sharing our faith starts with prayer. We need to pray for the people and places around us, recognizing that the mission of reaching the unchurched and discipling believers is too big for us to handle alone. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and prepares us to be effective witnesses of His love. [45:49]

Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual lives and the starting point for sharing our faith. When we pray, we invite God to work in and through us, aligning our hearts with His will. This is especially important when it comes to reaching the unchurched and discipling believers. The task is too great for us to accomplish on our own, but with God's guidance and strength, we can be effective witnesses of His love.

By beginning with prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite Him to lead us. This not only prepares our hearts but also opens doors for divine appointments and opportunities to share our faith. Prayer helps us to see the people and places around us through God's eyes, giving us a greater sense of compassion and urgency to share the gospel.

Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? Take a moment to pray specifically for that person, asking God to open a door for you to share His love with them.

Day 3: Intentional Conversations

Building connections requires intentionality. When we ask someone how they are, we should do so with genuine interest and follow up with questions that show we care. This approach can open doors for deeper conversations and meaningful relationships, making others feel seen and valued. [51:44]

Intentionality is key to building meaningful relationships. It's not enough to simply ask someone how they are; we need to show genuine interest in their response and follow up with questions that demonstrate our care and concern. This kind of intentional conversation can open doors for deeper connections and make others feel seen and valued.

When we take the time to engage in intentional conversations, we create opportunities for deeper understanding and connection. This can lead to more meaningful relationships and a greater sense of community. By showing genuine interest in others, we reflect the love of Christ and create a space where people feel valued and heard.

Proverbs 20:5 (ESV): "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."

Reflection: Think of someone you interact with regularly. How can you be more intentional in your conversations with them this week? What follow-up questions can you ask to show that you genuinely care about their well-being?

Day 4: The Significance of Shared Meals

Eating together is a powerful way to build connections. Jesus often shared meals with outcasts, showing that food can break down barriers and create opportunities for transformation. Inviting someone to share a meal, whether at a restaurant or in our homes, can communicate value and foster deeper relationships. [01:02:20]

Shared meals have a unique way of bringing people together and breaking down barriers. Jesus exemplified this by often sharing meals with outcasts and those who were marginalized by society. Through these shared meals, He was able to communicate value, love, and acceptance, creating opportunities for transformation and deeper connection.

When we invite someone to share a meal with us, whether at a restaurant or in our homes, we are following in Jesus' footsteps. This simple act can communicate that we value the other person and are interested in building a deeper relationship with them. Shared meals provide a relaxed and intimate setting where meaningful conversations can take place, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Luke 19:5-6 (ESV): "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully."

Reflection: Who can you invite to share a meal with you this week? How can you use this time to build a deeper connection and show them the love of Christ?

Day 5: Practical Steps for Connection

To genuinely connect with others, we need to put away distractions like phones and watches during conversations. We should also be clear about our intentions when inviting someone to a meal, ensuring that we communicate whether we plan to pay or split the bill. These practical steps can help us build trust and show that we value the other person's time and presence. [57:47]

In our technology-driven world, distractions are everywhere. To genuinely connect with others, we need to be intentional about putting away distractions like phones and watches during conversations. This shows that we value the other person's time and presence and are fully engaged in the interaction.

Additionally, being clear about our intentions when inviting someone to a meal can help build trust and avoid misunderstandings. Whether we plan to pay or split the bill, communicating this upfront shows respect and consideration for the other person. These practical steps can help us build stronger, more meaningful connections and demonstrate that we value the other person.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: What distractions do you need to put away during your conversations this week? How can you be more intentional about showing others that you value their time and presence?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to share the truth of Jesus' love and sacrifice. We prayed for our community, both local and online, asking God to stir and awaken hearts, reviving His church to lean into Him and celebrate His goodness. We acknowledged that every true church shares a singular mission: to reach the unchurched and disciple believers to be more like Jesus. We also prayed for other churches in our community, recognizing that we are not alone in this mission.

We then delved into the significance of listening, using the example of Charlie Brown to illustrate how often we miss opportunities for deeper connection because we fail to listen. Listening is crucial for building intimacy and genuine relationships. We shared a poignant letter from a young woman who felt unheard by her parents, emphasizing the devastating consequences of not listening.

We were reminded that sharing our faith begins with prayer and that it doesn't have to be complicated. It requires intentionality and time. We revisited the "B.L.E.S.S." paradigm, focusing on the importance of listening intently and building connections through shared meals. Jesus exemplified this by eating with outcasts like Zacchaeus, showing that eating together can transform lives.

We were encouraged to genuinely listen to others, ask follow-up questions, and be interested in what they have to say. We were also reminded to put away distractions like phones and watches during conversations. Finally, we were urged to invite people into our homes or out for meals, as food connects us in profound ways.

###

Key Takeaways

1. up questions, and showing genuine interest in the other person. This practice can transform our relationships and make others feel valued and heard. [42:29]
2. Begin with Prayer: Sharing our faith starts with prayer. We need to pray for the people and places around us, recognizing that the mission of reaching the unchurched and discipling believers is too big for us to handle alone. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and prepares us to be effective witnesses of His love.

3. Intentional Conversations: Building connections requires intentionality. When we ask someone how they are, we should do so with genuine interest and follow up with questions that show we care. This approach can open doors for deeper conversations and meaningful relationships, making others feel seen and valued.

4. The Significance of Shared Meals: Eating together is a powerful way to build connections. Jesus often shared meals with outcasts, showing that food can break down barriers and create opportunities for transformation. Inviting someone to share a meal, whether at a restaurant or in our homes, can communicate value and foster deeper relationships.

5. Practical Steps for Connection: To genuinely connect with others, we need to put away distractions like phones and watches during conversations. We should also be clear about our intentions when inviting someone to a meal, ensuring that we communicate whether we plan to pay or split the bill. These practical steps can help us build trust and show that we value the other person's time and presence.

### [42:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:35] - Prayer for Community
[23:13] - Singular Mission of the Church
[27:33] - Personal Reflection
[41:49] - Importance of Listening
[42:29] - Building Intimacy Through Listening
[43:11] - Letter from a Young Woman
[45:49] - Begin with Prayer
[46:34] - Revisiting the B.L.E.S.S. Paradigm
[47:13] - Addressing Church Visitors
[48:21] - Prayer for the Message
[48:53] - The Challenge of the Bible
[49:28] - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
[50:07] - Listening Intently
[51:44] - Asking Follow-Up Questions
[52:15] - Genuine Interest in Others
[53:50] - Putting Away Distractions
[55:07] - The Old Days of Communication
[57:47] - Practical Steps for Connection
[60:06] - Building Connection Through Meals
[62:20] - Jesus and Zacchaeus
[65:10] - Research on Eating Together
[66:08] - Actions to Take This Week
[71:39] - Making Firm Plans
[74:16] - Closing Prayer
[79:23] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[79:48] - Dismissal and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to James 1:19-20, what are the three key behaviors that James instructs believers to practice? How do these behaviors contribute to righteousness?
In the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), what actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to him?
What was the main point of the letter from the young woman shared in the sermon, and how did it illustrate the importance of listening? [43:11]
What practical steps did the pastor suggest for building genuine connections with others? [57:47]

Interpretation Questions

Why does James emphasize being "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry"? How might these behaviors impact our relationships and witness as Christians?
How did Jesus' decision to eat with Zacchaeus demonstrate His approach to building relationships and breaking down social barriers? What can we learn from this example?
Reflecting on the young woman's letter, what are the potential consequences of not listening to those around us, especially within our families and communities? [43:11]
How can the practice of shared meals, as exemplified by Jesus, transform our relationships and create opportunities for deeper connections? [01:02:20]

Application Questions

Think about a recent conversation where you felt unheard. How did it affect you? How can you ensure that you are fully present and listening intently in your future interactions? [42:29]
The sermon emphasized beginning with prayer when sharing our faith. Who in your life can you start praying for today, and how can you make prayer a regular part of your outreach efforts? [45:49]
Consider a time when you asked someone how they were doing but didn't follow up with genuine interest. How can you change your approach to show that you truly care about their well-being? [51:44]
Reflect on your current habits during conversations. What distractions (e.g., phones, watches) do you need to put away to be more present? How will you implement this change in your daily interactions? [57:47]
Identify someone in your life who you can invite to share a meal with this week. How can you make this invitation meaningful and ensure that it fosters a deeper connection? [01:02:20]
The pastor mentioned the importance of being clear about intentions when inviting someone to a meal. How can you communicate your intentions effectively to avoid misunderstandings? [01:10:09]
Reflect on the idea of making firm plans and keeping them. How can you improve your reliability and commitment in your relationships, especially when making plans to connect with others? [01:13:07]

Sermon Clips

1. "Listening is important. With it, we build intimacy with others. Openness and connection. But without listening, we lose the opportunity for input and deeper, genuine conversation. Listening is important. Listening is important as illustrated by one particular person who wrote into the editor of Time Magazine and said... Oh, that was too long for everything to be there. Let me pull out my phone because I have it written down here too." [43:11] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Friends, Jesus tasked us with a very important job. Very important. Tell people about him. Tell people about his loving sacrifice that he made for us. And so last week we noted that when we step into this mission that Jesus has given us, we need to begin with prayer for the people and the places around us. We can't do this ourselves. If you've ever sat there and thought to yourself, this is too big for me, too hard for me. You're right. That's why we begin with prayer." [45:02] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For those of you that aren't from a church background and you're thinking to yourself, Pastor Stephen, I came here to check you guys out and now you're just talking about some way to get people to follow Jesus. Well, listen, I wanna share with you today that this is in our minds, the single most important thing that we can possibly do and the most important message that we can share with you is that Jesus loves and accepts you just the way that you are, but he loves you way too much to leave you there." [46:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Begin with prayer. Listen, genuinely listen to what people have to say and eat together. Food connects us in ways that we sometimes can't even imagine. Here's some actions that we can take this week. First one, honestly consider your openness. Wow, that's terrible. Can we remove the background from that? Just hit the clear media. There we go. You can read that now? All right. Actions to take. Honestly consider your openness to genuinely listening to others. Are you open to it? Or is it something where you're like, Pastor Steven told me that I should? Eh." [01:06:08] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Imagine being truly seen just like you've been truly seen by God. Imagine being truly seen by others. And now recognize that there are countless individuals in our communities who don't feel seen by anyone and how one invitation can begin to change that and can begin to invite them into a relationship with the most high God who sees them completely." [01:11:39] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I want you to consider that message that we call the gospel. That Jesus loves you. That he's not giving up on you. That he's saying, let me in. Let me take the burden from you and walk through this with you. You're not alone. You're not rejected. You're not ignored. But I gave it all for you. This God. This Jesus. Who told people as he walked the earth exactly what would happen to him. The way that he would die is predicted hundreds of years before." [01:16:08] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Everyone as we make our way out today. As we grab more coffee. Because I'm sure there's lots. Doug always makes sure that we don't run out. So today might be the day that we do. There's snacks and tea and all of that. Don't be shy. Take some of that. Hang around. Chat with people if you need prayer. Corrine is going to be at the front here for the next five or ten minutes. Depending on how busy things are. So don't be shy. Just get up here and get prayer if you need prayer. Everyone God bless you. Have a wonderful week. Sharing the good news of Jesus as we pray for people. Listen to them. And eat together. You're dismissed." [01:19:23] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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