By: Justin Dillenschneider, Director of Student Life
Week of December 6th, 2021
Faithfulness can be defined as being steadfast in affection or allegiance. As we enter into the second week of Advent and contemplate the theme of peace, it is important for us to reflect on the faithfulness of God. The only manner by which we can experience peace is in a right relationship with God. God’s faithful love and kindness are storied throughout Scripture and His grace and mercy are shown repeatedly throughout His redemptive work in remnants of those whom He has called and redeemed. While we may often struggle to practice this virtue, we have a perfect example in the person and work of Jesus. The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was faithfully obedient to the Father even to the point of death. As we reflect this week and draw closer to the end of this semester of school, my prayer is that the Lord would continue to draw us nearer to Him and to teach us to be faithful in the small things and to daily trust in Him.
Continue contemplating faithfulness by looking at this week’s scripture reading from
Matthew 25:19-28 CSB
“19 After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ 21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 22 “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ 23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 24 “The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned. 28 “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.”
We want to encourage you to have a conversation this week about the virtue of faithfulness. Consider these discussion prompts together:
- What tempts you to become ruthless or pitiless?
- Where have you seen people fall into skepticism? Where are you tempted to do so?
- What are some ways you see Christ correcting skeptical or merciless people in Scripture?
- How do we see the apostles and the early church modeling and celebrating faithfulness?
Hymn to Sing Together: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus