Day 1, Saturday, July 27th Devotion: “You Are Gifted!”
Read: 2 Timothy 1:5-7, 5 “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Verse 5: God is using people around you to instill faith, build and motivate you to do great things for the Lord like Timothy’s mom and grandmother.
Discuss: Who are the godly influencers in your life whom you consider to have made a difference in your life? How have they impacted your life?
Verse 6: God has gifted you with spiritual gifts, natural talents, and abilities. He gave these to you so that you can live for a higher purpose and calling. He has great plans for you! That’s how special you are to Him!
Discuss: Can you identify some of the spiritual gifts, natural talents, and abilities that the Lord gave you? How can you use them to serve others and glorify God in your life? For a list of the spiritual gifts, see below.
Verse 7: Some of the reasons why people are not exercising their gifts are due to a lack of confidence, fear of people, or fear of failure.
Discuss: What’s holding you back in using your gifts and talents for the Lord? Do you feel you are maximizing your use of these gifts? What can you do to improve and effectively use your talents and gifts for the Lord?
Spiritual gifts: helping, serving, leadership, encouraging, teaching, preaching, evangelizing, giving, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, speaking in/interpretation of tongues.
Prayer: Pray that you may discover your gifts. Pray that you may “stir them up!” Pray that you will align your life, and career along with your spiritual gifts. Thank God that He has made you a part of His great plan!
Day 2, Sunday, July 28th Devotion: “Stir Up the Gift You Have Been Given!"
Read: 2 Timothy 1:6-9, “6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
Verse 6: “Stir up the gift” in other translations are “fan into flame,” “kindle anew,” “rekindle,” and “keep ablaze.” As human beings, we have the tendency to draw back, be complacent, and take our gifting for
granted. It is necessary to remain focused, engaged, and stay involved.
Discuss: How can you remain focused on living for the Lord using your talents, gifts, and abilities? What can you build into your life to pay more attention to what God desires you to do?
Verse 7: We have natural fears when it comes to serving and overcoming our weaknesses. It is comforting to know, and it builds confidence in us, that God has already given us the power, love, and sound mind (self-control, self-discipline) to overcome and succeed.
Discuss: The gift of the Spirit provides you the power to serve and overcome your timidity. How can you rely more on the power of the Spirit rather than your own abilities? Are you relying more on yourself?
Verses 8, 9: God has called you with a holy calling. What an awesome opportunity! With that calling He has equipped you with His Spirit. That’s why you should not be ashamed of your testimony for the Lord.
Discuss: How can you have more of God’s Spirit in your life? How can you get to know more of the Holy Spirit in a personal and deeper way?
Prayer: Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit. Pray for empowerment.