Session 1

Be wise with the days you’ve got

From NewSpring at Home: A Study on Colossians

Scripture

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” - Colossians 4:5-6

Observation

We get a finite number of hours in a day and a finite number of days on this earth. Being wise about how we use them starts with being aware that others are watching. 

People see how we live and are drawing conclusions about Jesus based on our actions, not just our words. When our walk matches our talk, it gets people’s attention.  

“How can you be so calm?”

“How do you always see the best in everyone?”

“I can’t believe you forgave her! I’m not sure I could ever do that.”

Ordinary conversations can become opportunities to share the Gospel when we live the way Jesus did. That’s why Paul also reminds the church to be gracious in their speech. 

We never know when we’ll have an opportunity to share the reason for our hope. So being wise toward outsiders also means being ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). 

Application

• Are there any areas of your life where your actions don’t match what you say you believe?
  
• For the next 24 hours, try approaching every conversation with this question in mind: “Jesus, how can I be wise and make the best use of this time?”

Prayer 

Jesus, thank you for being gracious toward me and for leaving such a great example of how to walk in wisdom toward outsiders. You always knew exactly what to say, and you were never afraid of not fitting in or being taken advantage of. Show me where my walk isn’t matching my talk so I can be more like you.