Today's Bible Verse

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1–4 (esv)

From the book

In this letter to his friend, John told Gaius how happy it made him to receive such a good report about the state of Gaius’s soul and the integrity of Gaius’s life as he lived out the truth of the gospel. John also told Gaius how he was praying for him: that his physical health would be as strong as his reported spiritual health.

We’re comfortable checking in with each other in regard to health issues. But we don’t always do as well when it comes to checking in with each other in regard to spiritual health. That can seem too personal. Few of us are willing to raise our hand when prayer requests are being taken to ask for prayer because we’re struggling with doubt, or discouragement, or fear, or prayerlessness, or a resistance to believing and obeying God.

But as we seek to be a faithful friend to someone who is suffering, we want to pray for health in both body and soul. This means we may need to ask what can seem to be a profoundly personal question as we inquire about the state of their soul. We might say, “I’m praying for a number of  your physical health concerns. How can I pray for your spiritual health?”

<I'm Praying for You> Nancy Guthrie, p51-52

Ashley's Note

Lord, this topic has been one of my struggles for my small group. You have given me a full two-years of opportunity to serve for a small group of singles in their 30s. For two years, whenever I ask questions regarding people's spiritual condition, I've heard the same questions inside my head that are just like Guthrie wrote in her text. "What if this question is too personal for her? What if people don't enjoy this conversation? What if they don't come to the small group meeting anymore?" Oh, Lord. I know what my problem is. My focus has been not on pleasing You but on pleasing people. Lord, fill my heart with your profoundly conquering love. Let me love others with Your love. Help me remember to turn the inner awkwardness into a prayer instead. In Jesus' name, amen. 

Today's Mission

1) Read the text: Giving Table SE3, 마지막 날인 오늘의 본문 제목은 <I’m praying for you to be healthy in body and strong in spirit.> 입니다.

2) Read out loud: 'Today's Bible Verse'와 'From the book' 파트를 낭독하여 녹음해주세요. :) 

3) Today's word: 'Profoundly'

Profoundly 단어를 여러 모양으로 활용해서 짧은 영작을 해보세요 :)