Monday
Open: God, give me an honest, seeking heart as I examine what's true.
Read: Read 1 Peter 3:15–16 — be ready to give a reason for your hope, gently.
This year you will learn to explain your faith and offer honest reasons for what you believe. This work is called apologetics. It does not mean apologizing for being a Christian; the term means giving a reasoned defense, much as a lawyer presents a careful case in court. Our key verse for the year is 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Look carefully at what this verse asks of you. First, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" means to set apart Jesus as Lord, giving Him first place inside you. Then, out of that settled trust, you are to "be ready ALWAYS to give an answer." An "answer" here means a reason, a defense — being able to explain WHY you believe what you believe. And notice how you are to do it: "with meekness and fear," which means with gentleness and respect. So being ready to defend your faith is not about winning arguments or crushing people; it is about lovingly explaining the reasons for your hope. So today, think about what question about your faith you would most like to be able to answer, and journal it.
Talk about:
- What be ready to give? (A reason for hope!)
- With what attitude? (Gentleness!)
Remember: "Be ready always to give an answer… with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).
Pray: God, prepare me to give reasons for my hope.