Our study on zeal is at an end. I hope it has been an encouraging endeavor for you, I know it has been for me. As we have studied, God expects us to act. It is not enough just to believe, just to have faith, just to fill the pews. He expects us to tell others of the hope that lies within us (1 Pet. 3:15). He expects us to put the word in action (James 1:22). At the end of each of the lessons, there is a section called ‘Live’. In these, the author of the book makes a challenge to the reader based on the content of the lesson. Have you taken on any of these? If not, this is a good way to put these lessons into action. These may also spark ideas of your own, ways you might demonstrate loving service. Here are some of the challenges:
Have you memorized Titus 2:14? (Lesson 1&2)
Have you invited someone to worship service or bible study? (Lesson 3)
Have you made an action plan to improve your weakest trait? (Lesson 4)
Have you asked someone to help you as you purify your life? (Lesson 5)
Have you chosen a quiet time/place to pray? (Lesson 6)
Have you read the book of Mark? (Lesson 7)
Have you thought about how you might help those in prison? (Lesson 9)
Have you encouraged someone who is currently living a zealous life for God? (Lesson 10)
Have you set aside childish things in order to serve God more fully? (Lesson 11)
Have you found ways to serve God more zealously in your daily routine? (Lesson 12)
Have you asked a zealous Christian how they keep the fires burning? (Lesson 13)
How will you go about changing your corner of the world? (Lesson 15)
How can you leverage your strengths to perform good deeds? (Lesson 16)
Have you presented ideas to the church about how we can together grow our zeal? (Lesson 18)
If you had to leave for an extended period of time, who would replace you? (Lesson 19)
Are you gaining good habits and getting rid of bad ones? (Lesson 20)
Have you established a timeline for accomplishing a goal that will grow your zeal? (Lesson 22)
This may seem overwhelming. You don’t have to do all of these to be a zealous Christian. But you need to do something! Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb. 3:13)
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