Yesterday, we talked about our call to love everyone, whether they agree with us or not. Today, we will talk about how we can live this out by listening and learning.

Listen and learn—what an interesting concept. Many times, I have heard the phrase “watch and learn,” and I get that. When we see something, our minds grasp it immediately, and the process is, typically, quick and painless. But listening—that can take time, and for many of us, time is a precious commodity. We don’t take the time to really listen to what those around us are saying. This happens in our workplace, social gatherings, and even families. Imagine how many problems and conflicts could have been avoided if we had just taken the time to really listen and learn from what others had to say? Jesus always took the time to listen because of his great love for all people. God calls us to do the same.

This past weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder talked about how we all have people we consider our “in-crowd”—the people we share common interests with. We also have an “out-crowd”—those whom we would not normally associate with, perhaps because of our complex differences, or maybe just because they’re “not the same” as us. Jesus did not differentiate; he did not have an in- or out-crowd. He already knew the most intimate details of everyone’s lives, but he took the time to listen anyway. We are not like Jesus. We don’t have all the facts about the people we encounter, so listening is even more important.

Why and how should we listen to people who are unlike us? We need to listen in a way that we’re able to find our common ground, a foundation from which we can build on to reach common unity. We need to learn about the speaker as we listen to see what makes them who they are and to recognize their value. Because to God, they are valuable, and they should be to us also. When we find that unity with someone unlike us, we find ways to overcome our complex differences. Eventually, we’ll even expand our in-crowd.

What does this look like when put into practice, and can it really make a difference?

Let me take you back almost 50 years to my high school days. I had a classmate who everyone thought was antisocial because he hardly spoke to anyone. Because he kept to himself, people assumed he was snobbish and thought he was better than the rest of us. One day at lunch, I saw this individual sitting by himself and, on a whim, decided to sit across from him. We gradually started talking, and when he really started to unload his story, I found myself listening intently.

As it turned out, during his younger years, he had been physically abused by his father and told that he was worthless. He came to believe it and felt no one would want him for a friend. Over time, he became withdrawn and shy. As I listened, I discovered he really loved fishing, as did I (common ground). To make a long story short, through this time I spent listening and learning from him, we became friends. In fact, he was one of my closest friends throughout high school, and we shared many good memories. I like to think that I had as much of a positive impact in his life as he did in mine.

Be sure to come back tomorrow to learn the next step after listening and learning.

Questions:
When did you last really take the time to listen to someone and learn about them?

How does it make you feel when someone takes the time to really listen to what you have to say?

Next Steps:
Make it a point to take time this week to really listen to someone and try to learn what they are all about.

Joining a group is a good way to find others with some common ground and open up new opportunities to listen and learn.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in these frantic-paced times we live in, it seems too difficult to take the time to really listen to others and learn about them. Convict my heart, Lord, to show others the love you’ve shown me by  taking the time to listen long enough to find some common unity. Help me to see what you already know, that they are valuable. Father, help me go beyond listening and learning by taking action for the needs of others as I learn them. Thank you for the people you have placed in my life who care enough to listen when I need them, and help me to do the same for them. In your precious name I pray. Amen.

This post was written by Ned Miller, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study.

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Autumn is full of wonderful things. The warm sunshine, time with my family, a cozy fire, and doughnuts are all very special to me. But sometimes those beautiful gifts go beyond being special. Sometimes I focus more on the gifts than the gift-giver … God.

In the weekend message, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder talked about the differences between a closed hand and an open hand. A closed hand holds what is most dear to us, the things worth fighting for. An open hand displays what we care about but are willing to let go of to protect what is more important.

Ben went on to say that both a closed hand and an open hand are valuable. You need to have a closed hand to make a difference and protect what you care about. But you also need to have an open hand, which enables you to openly receive new ideas and viewpoints that are important to others.

Jesus wants to bring us joy. He has given us the amazing gifts of family, friends, sunshine, and doughnuts. But Jesus also knows that we cannot have true joy if he isn’t at the center of our lives. Jesus wants to be our motive, the reason behind why we hold things tightly or freely. When I struggle with this choice, Lauren Daigle’s song “First” helps me refocus.

“First” by Lauren Daigle
First
I wanna seek you
I wanna seek you
First
I wanna keep you
I wanna keep you
First
More than anything I want, I want you
First

This song is a great example of how we should live our lives. God wants to be first. He is the first one we should turn to in a struggle, the first one we should ask when it’s right to open or close our hand.

Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Seek God’s will above all else. Ask him what to hold on to and what to hold freely. When success, family, and enjoyment are the only things we hold on to, we often end up lacking the joy that those things are said to bring. But if Jesus is at our center, we will be filled with the joy of his presence.

Questions:
What do you hold in your closed hand? What is in your open hand? Upon prayerful consideration, is there anything you should release from your closed hand? Is there anything you should consider holding tighter?

Next Steps:
Ask Jesus what you need to hold freely and what you need to hold on to. Practice putting Jesus first in your life by spending time with him every day. Read a devotional in the morning, or try praying every time you hit a red light on your way to work.

Prayer:
Father God, help me keep you first. You know how often I have fallen away. Help me to be willing to listen to you first and foremost. Help me understand what I need to hold tighter and what I should release. I want to keep you first. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Lydia Snyder. Lydia has been a story-lover for as long as she can remember, often found reading books or writing. She is thrilled to be making a difference by inspiring others to take part in the best story ever – God’s story. Lydia lives with her three wonderful siblings and two amazing parents.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

The LivingItOut Podcast is released every Wednesday morning. It discusses key takeaways and principles from the weekend message. Listen to the weekly podcast in your car, during your lunch break, or any other time that works for you. You can find the latest podcast here.

Leave a Comment?

We would love to hear how the LivingItOut is making a difference in your life. Let us know how today’s post inspired, challenged, or encouraged you by leaving a comment here.

Want to be a part of the LivingItOut team?

We are always looking for people who are passionate about writing and proofing to serve on the LivingItOut team. If you are interested, email LIO@cedarcreek.tv today!

Printable version of this week’s LIO study:

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More Resources

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LivingItOut Podcast
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