OT Fire Starters – Day 37: Exodus 31
READ: Exodus 31
THINK: What are you good at? What do you love to do? Are you using your skills and abilities to make a difference? Whether you realize it or not, that’s what God wants you to do. While He does give special skills to individuals for specific tasks, God creates every person with unique interests, talents and abilities. There are things that no one else in the world can do quite like you can, and God expects you to use your abilities, resources and opportunities to honor Him and benefit others. Like Bezalel, Oholiab and others who worked on the tabernacle and its furnishings, God’s Spirit has equipped and empowered you with skills and knowledge to creatively serve His purposes.
RESPOND: What does it mean that Bezalel was “filled with the Spirit of God,” and what was he able to do as a result? (See 31:3 note.) For what kinds of tasks and purposes does God equip and empower people? Who has special God-given abilities? (See 31:3 note.) Why does God give people different talents and abilities? How are you to use your God-given gifts and abilities? In what way are Bezalel and Oholiab examples to all God’s people? In what way was the Sabbath day holy (i.e., set apart), and why does God take this day of rest and worship so seriously? How can Christians apply the Sabbath principle and what benefits can we gain by observing a day of rest? How and by whom were the original stone tablets inscribed with the Testimony (i.e., the Ten Commandments; v. 18)?
PRAY: Give God thanks for the abilities, talents, resources and opportunities He’s given you to honor Him. If you’re having trouble recognizing how God has equipped you, ask Him to show you what you have to offer.
ACT: Find a way to use your God-given abilities to serve God’s purposes. Get involved in a ministry at church, or volunteer to create a new ministry. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. You may enjoy doing something like helping design sets for a kids program, baking cookies for youth group guests or finding lesson illustrations on the internet to help your Sunday school teacher prepare for class. If you’re not sure what to do, talk to a leader or pastor about how you can use your gifts in a way that honors God and benefits others in your church, youth ministry or community. When you have time, read the article on Campus Missions Commitment to Serve, p. 1276 in the FBSE.