DECEMBER 8 - SHARING THE REASON
READ 1 Peter 3
Christians should be ready to share the reason for their hope.
INSIGHT
When the opportunity arises to explain the reason for the hope that is in us, remember that the how is just as important as the what. We are to share the Gospel with "gentleness and respect", reflecting the gracious character of Christ and honoring the person we are speaking to, rather than arguing to win a debate. This gentle witness, combined with living a life of "good conduct in Christ," validates our message and puts to shame those who slander our faith.
PRAYER
Praise your heavenly Father for assisting you in your human relationships:
How happy are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
Happy are those who keep his decrees
And seek him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
You have commanded that your precepts
Be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed
To keeping your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed
When I think about all your commands
(Psalm 119:1-6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.
Remove your evil deeds from my sight.
Stop doing evil.
Learn to do what is good.
Pursue justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause
(Isaiah 1:16-17).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the permanent covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth (Genesis 9:16).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life (Jude 1:20-21).
Christians should be ready to share the reason for their hope.
INSIGHT
When the opportunity arises to explain the reason for the hope that is in us, remember that the how is just as important as the what. We are to share the Gospel with "gentleness and respect", reflecting the gracious character of Christ and honoring the person we are speaking to, rather than arguing to win a debate. This gentle witness, combined with living a life of "good conduct in Christ," validates our message and puts to shame those who slander our faith.
PRAYER
Praise your heavenly Father for assisting you in your human relationships:
How happy are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
Happy are those who keep his decrees
And seek him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
You have commanded that your precepts
Be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed
To keeping your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed
When I think about all your commands
(Psalm 119:1-6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.
Remove your evil deeds from my sight.
Stop doing evil.
Learn to do what is good.
Pursue justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause
(Isaiah 1:16-17).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the permanent covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth (Genesis 9:16).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Victims of natural disasters
- Missionaries on college campuses
- Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life (Jude 1:20-21).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.