Main Thought
Have you ever walked through a home under construction or renovation? It can be such a mess! There’s dirt, debris, and materials everywhere. Yet these clear imperfections are signs of progress when a master builder is nearby. Our homes and families - which includes each of us as individuals - are no different. We’re works in progress, living with other works in progress. Grace allows the work to continue. God gives grace to us; we should extend grace to each other; and, we should give grace to ourselves. We might be incomplete, but we can’t allow that to make us insecure. Insecurity keeps us from rising into the places and roles God has called us to occupy in our homes.
Each of us can partner with God to become the best versions of ourselves. Allowing God to build us might involve evaluating ourselves and our lives against a new blueprint: the Bible. Letting God build us might also involve becoming aware of our flaws and fixing them. We can adopt new mindsets, actions, and habits in place of those flaws. This process is repentance in action. The work might be hard, but God is a Master Builder. He’ll finish what He started if we continue the work with plenty of grace.
Main Passages
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 1:3-6, ESV
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
'“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…”
Acts 3:17-20
Discussion Questions
Name one strength, talent, or personality trait of yours that is a blessing to your family (or to those close to you). How do you use that to bless others?
How does grace help create a space where we can all safely learn, grow, and improve?
Think about one of your own flaws and failings. How might that affect your family (or people close to you) negatively? What could repentance and growth look like for you?