Session 19

Are your beliefs based on experience?

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

Whether it’s a new movie in theaters or an unknown band’s first song on the radio, we all love celebrating something new.

But forming an opinion about something we haven’t actually seen or heard for ourselves can do more damage than good. If we didn’t actually see the movie or listen to the band’s album, our judgment is just speculation. We can have an opinion about the movie or the music, but it doesn’t matter much if we haven’t taken the time to experience them ourselves.

The most trustworthy spokespeople experience things before they promote them. That's the kind of spokespeople Jesus calls us to be. 

As Jesus healed and performed miracles, opinions about Him grew. But Jesus wants to be more than a spectacle we talk about. He wants us to change our lives from the inside out. Rather than have an opinion about Jesus, we can have a personal connection with Him. 

Jesus wasn't interested in being a political or religious celebrity, but a personal Savior. He changes us personally before we share about Him publicly. That way, we speak about Him from sincere passion, not just opinion.

Jesus wants to speak to us before He speaks through us. And we should listen to Him before we expect others to as well. Through knowing Jesus and following Him step by step, we better understand how He also wants to change other people, too.

Reflect:

• What’s one way Jesus has changed you?
• Who can you tell about how Jesus has changed you?