The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Missional Community."
Good witnesses walk and talk the truth of the gospel. It takes both. Have you ever heard another Christian claim that how Christians live is more important than what they say, claiming that people can identify Christians by their walk? “I let my life do the talking” is their motto. How Christ followers live is certainly important. God wants them to be holy; he actually tells them to “be holy” six times in the New Testament (1Co 1:2; Eph 1:4; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 1:15, 16; Rev 12:14). No doubt the Father wants his children to set themselves apart from those who don’t know him by shunning wickedness and embracing righteousness. He wants them to be insulated but not isolated from those who don’t believe. Paul puts it this way: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” (Col 4:5), which simply means be tactful yet bold in your witness to those outside the faith.
The Father also wants his children to “love one another. In fact, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment in the Upper Room Discourse to that effect (Jn 13-17). “‘A new command I give you,’” he said. “‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’” (Jn 13:34-35). And it’s not just love for brothers and sisters in God’s family that matters. Jesus expects his disciples to obey the second greatest commandment. When asked to identify the greatest commandment in the law, he replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mt 22:37b-39a). Love knows no boundaries.
But in spite of the fact that it might be possible for people to identify Christians from the way they live in general, and more specifically, from the way they love others; they may not. Without a word of explanation, people may see them as merely religious, or worse, religious fanatics. And even if they do correctly identify those who are Christ followers from their lifestyle, that does not mean they will either understand the gospel or necessarily want to be Christians themselves. Christ followers simply cannot assume that people will understand why they live the way they do, let alone understand the gospel and be persuaded to believe it if they are not “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks [them] to give the reason for the hope that [they] have” (1Pe 3:15). They must speak up and tell people why, and according to the apostle, the language they use ought to be “seasoned with salt” (4:6). “In our idiom, salty language is something replete with profanities, but obviously that is not Paul’s meaning. ‘Seasoned with salt’ was used to refer to witty, amusing, clever, humorous speech” (David E. Garland, The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians, Philemon, 274). Such “saltiness” will prevent believers from being ignored as irrelevant bores.
On the other hand, you may know Christians who share their faith with everyone they meet—anytime, anywhere. They talk boldly, unhesitatingly, and fearlessly to others about Jesus. You may even envy their spontaneity and ability to witness so effortlessly—which is understandable. But have you not met people like that whose walk did not measure up to their talk? Perhaps unknown to the Christian community, they are living in disobedience, or their lives are in disarray. Perhaps they are simply unpleasant people to be around—that is, overbearing, arrogant, or argumentative. In any case, their personal lack of integrity with respect to the gospel undermines their witness, and maybe they don’t even know it. Christians who “talk the walk” but don’t “walk the talk” will sooner or later be seen as hypocrites. To be an effective witness Christians must talk and walk the truth. It takes both.
Central Message of the Text:
Spread the good news by praying diligently, especially for those who minister the gospel, and by making the most of every opportunity you have to share the mystery of Christ.
Family Talk:
What comes to mind when you hear the word “community”? My mind immediately jumps to my 911 people. You know, the people you call in a crisis. Recently, I needed help putting together a last-minute graduation party for my daughter, who swore she didn’t want a party but then changed her mind. During the few hours we were at graduation, my home group friends made a whole event. There were streamers and balloons everywhere, a delicious BBQ dinner ready to be served and gifts overflowing. Oh, and they straightened up my tiny, cluttered house. That’s love. I also think of community as the people who stand by my side. One of my home group friends stands with me in parenting. She and I gather monthly for dinner with six other moms from all walks of life. We do our best to encourage one another with words seasoned with salt and prayerfully try to steer our conversations toward the work of Jesus. As a community, our home group cares for widows, orphans and the elderly. We support and serve one another and by extension the community and beyond. When we humbly offer ourselves to part of a community, we serve the Lord and proclaim His name to our neighbors and nations. Others see the unique and special relationship we have together and want to be part. This is missional living! Are your kids experiencing community? Is your family putting forth the effort to be committed to community? Don’t let this invaluable spiritual discipline slip through your fingers. If you attend Central Bible Church, email groups@wearecentral.org for more information on how to get connected in community.