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The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend.  We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.

SOUL SHERPA, LESSON 4: The Holy Spirit is Our Guide

How many times have you heard something like this? “God first, others second, I’m third” or “God, country, family.”  Maybe you’ve even said something similar or worn the t-shirt.  I know I have.  At first glance, it seems like a godly enough thing to say, and it sure feels good to think we have our priorities straight.

Unfortunately it is not at all what God’s Word teaches us.  God’s place isn’t first in a list of other lower priorities. He is the center and essence of every priority. We need to make sure that our children are not subjected to this wrong thinking. Whenever love for God is mentioned in scripture, it is with all-encompassing phrases like, “with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” or “in all your ways acknowledge Him,” or “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all,” or “all things have been created through Him and for Him.”  There is no sacred and secular for the Christian.

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

Now matter what we do, we are called to do it as a representation of Christ.  What would Jesus be like as a schoolteacher, a lawyer, an IT professional, or a manager?  What would Jesus be like as a parent, a son or daughter, a husband or wife, brother, or friend?  In all our ways, in all our decisions, in all our activities, in all our roles and thoughts, acknowledge Him.  This is not an acknowledging in the shallow English meaning either. The Hebrew word means to know intimately by experience.  Search your heart this week.  Are you knowing God intimately by experience in all your ways?

“So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God.”  -1 Corinthians 10:31

MEDITATING ON THE WORD:

1 Peter 4:11
Mark 12:30
Ephesians 4:5-6
Colossians 1:16, 3:17
Psalm 34:8