Sunday, March 9, 2025

Romans 12:9-10
⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

How do we love others with genuine affection?

One way we can do this is to continue learning about the temperaments of those around us. By paying attention to others’ innate needs, we gain a greater understanding of how they are wired, and we can begin to speak in a way that they want to hear.

Today, set aside time to ask Jesus, the ultimate example of how to speak to others, what he wants to say to you. Then, respond to the questions, reflecting on what you’ve learned about taking delight and honoring people in your life.

Discussion Questions:

Ice breaker: Share a time when you have shown love to, or received love from, someone with genuine affection.

What is the most complicated part of paying attention to the innate needs of others?

Read Matthew 17: 1-11. What did you learn about the disciples in these verses? What can you guess about their temperaments?

Think of someone you are close to. Can you think of a time when your words have really shown your love for them?

Reflect on the time we’ve spent learning about our temperaments: What do you need God to say to you? What do you need to say to someone?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me the ultimate example of what administering grace looks like. As I step into the week ahead, help me to use words that speak to the needs of those around me, helping our relationships grow stronger and reflecting the way you really love us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the LivingItOut Devotional.