Louder than Words

Have you ever heard the expression "Do as I say, not as I do"?

I want to challenge it.

We now know that children watch what we do long before we are able to teach them to listen to what we say. I think of the many funny videos online where babies mimic the parent’s expressions, or where toddlers mimic how their pregnant mommy waddles, or their frail grandpa walks hunched over his walking stick. We have learnt to trust people’s apologies based on their actions, or to look for results when companies make big promises. 

Then why do we read Jesus’ stories and teachings about what the reign of God can look like, and then close the book thinking that was a nice story (albeit sometimes confusing), and leaving it at that? Why do we treat it like nothing more than a really bizarre bedtime story?

Louder than Words is taken from the saying we all know so well—“Actions speak louder than words.” And in this resource, you will find ways to reawaken that desire to take what Jesus said and see how you can implement it in your daily routines. 

Repetition creates habit. Habit shapes life.

This devotional practice resource is designed to be used as many times as you can in the week. Reading through the chapter and processing the same questions each day allows you to explore the story more deeply, notice things you didn’t before, and find ways to make the implementation more intentional. Each chapter takes just under 30 minutes a day to complete.

Chapters in Louder than Words:

Chapter 1: Speak To or Speak About? - Based on Matthew 18:15-20

This chapter explores how we should deal with confrontation when someone has wronged us.

Chapter 2: Forgiveness In Action - Based on Matthew 18:21-35

Jesus challenges us to forgive someone seventy times seven times, and we discover what forgiveness looks like when it is made practical.

Chapter 3: Working Hard or Hardly Working? - Based on Matthew 20:1-16

This chapter looks at our understanding of fair wages, and whether we view everything in society through the lens of what we can gain.

Chapter 4: Do As I Do, Not As I Say - Based on Matthew 21:23-32

Jesus shares a story of two brothers who were asked to work in the vineyard, through which we're asked to consider who did the will of God.

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