Lisa Schnell is the wife of Mark Schnell, an elder in the Boston Church of the International Churches of Christ, and leads a family group along with her husband Mark. Lisa was reached out to on-the-job and baptized by a man in the traditional Church of Christ who eventually would become her father-in-law. Lisa and Mark are the parents of two adult children who were baptized as teens in the Boston Teen Ministry: Steve (25) is a campus minister in Boston, and Kayla (22) is an elementary music teacher in the Billerica, MA, school system. Mark and Lisa will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this fall 2010. Mark also serves as an elder for the Boston Church.
Taking Initiative
Jesus, throughout his life acted because he saw needs. He took the initiative to come to earth because our need was so great. He healed people, fed crowds, challenged, encouraged, met people and lived his life because he saw the needs surrounding him. Do we see ways we can make a difference in this world and act accordingly, or just wait to be asked or told of something that is needed.
Romans 12:11… Never be lacking in zeal, but keep you spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Why should I initiate?
The scriptures teach me to initiate.
Rom 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Matthew 25:34-40
"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Hebrews 10:24, 25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Other scriptures for further study…
Hebrews 3:12, 13
See to it, sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
2 Peter 1:5-11
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, she is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that she has been cleansed from her past sins. Therefore, my sisters, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a woman who looks at her face in a mirror and, after looking at herself, goes away and immediately forgets what she looks like. But the [woman] who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what she has heard, but doing it--she will be blessed in what she does.
James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good she ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
1 Tim 6:18
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
All of the “One Another” scriptures call me to initiate with others.
Where can I initiate?
Initiating New Relationships – Do I make a point to meet new people? We never know how something we share, or just a simple act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life. Sometimes we don’t reach out because we are “all set”, failing to realize we were created to give of ourselves to those around us. This takes conviction and selflessness. In the fellowship, be conscious of meeting those who are visiting, those who are struggling and just someone you don’t know. You never know how God will use our initiative.
Do I continue to meet those around me in order to share the amazing message of Jesus?
Initiating in Old Relationships/strengthening – We can take those we know for granted, and fail to persevere in encouragement and strengthening. Remember ways that that you have been refreshed, encouraged, strengthened and called higher by someone taking time to really be involved in your life.
Initiating in meeting needs/encouraging the body – There are always those who are sick, hospitalized, shut in, grieving, struggling financially, having a new baby, etc. who need help. Do we assume “someone will take care of it”, or do we act to either respond personally or help to make sure needs are being met?
Initiating personal growth/getting advice in marriage, parenting – When is the last time you asked another for ways they thought you could grow in your character, effectiveness, walk with God, etc. How often do we seek input for personal growth in our marriage and parenting? Those who grow are humble learners. We never get too “mature” to need others to sharpen us.
What are ways can I initiate?
- Cards
- Phone calls
- Setting up times to encourage one another
- Hospitality
- Taking a meal to someone...
- Bringing refreshments
- Offering to help/share in a Sector or Family Group Service
- Sending a note/thought to be shared during an activity that you will be absent from
- Plus many other creative ideas
How can I become a great initiator?
I won’t, if I sit back and wait.
- Take a spiritual check for my zeal / spiritual fervor
- Consider. Take time to think about how you can grow in taking initiative
- Spur one another on
- Encourage someone
- Ask yourself if your lifestyle reflects the scripture “Make every effort.”
- Be creative in ways to initiate. If this doesn’t come easily ask others for ideas
Take time to…
- Meditate, day dream, prepare to serve others
- Learn to offer; don’t wait to be asked J
- Jot things down - Our lives are busy; learn to think on the run, and save your thoughts for later. Then, you can go off to the next thing, but still remember your idea how you can encourage others.
Get organized; Use a calendar; Make lists and write your ideas down…
Let’s be women that are expecting God to work through us!
Eph 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
