This Sunday, we plan to wrap up the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:22-25) and what we find in these verses, among other things, are compelling reasons that we should listen to the message of the book. Hebrews doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There were real circumstances and cares that led the author to write. As these emerge, we find hope for how we can listen more effectively. It’s really a great way to end the book, thinking about why the message it contains is so important.
Shepherding Your Family / Listening Well
There were a couple of great posts that got my attention this AM:
Brian Croft offers suggestions for how he shepherds his family. This includes, in his case, letting one child stay up 30 minutes longer one night a week to read Scripture, books, and pray with their father. Any encouragement and practicality on this issues seems to be helpful to me.
On DeYoung’s blog, Jason Helopoulos gives some tips on listening well. He pegged me from the outset, speaking of how pastors tend to be assertive and “know where this conversation is headed.” Rather than rushing to give our opinion we should strive to listen by taking the following tips:
* Remember that sermons are for the pulpit
* Remember that the person before you is the person you are to be ministering to
* Be teachable
* Show honor to all
* Silence is golden
* Maintain eye contact
* Ask questions
* Don’t always feel the need to lead
* Don’t be “super-spiritual”
* Think through questions
* Care tenderly
Check out both of these posts and be helped.