Putting Others First

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

I think this verse is like a mirror. When we are at a youth event, it is easier to act this way. Small groups are safe places. You can trust people who were strangers yesterday with secrets you can't tell anyone else. Why is that? Because you're in a safe, intentional christian community. Beyond that, everyone does act in brotherly love. They do think about one another.

When we go back to our lives it's like a bubble popped. At Kairos we were protected. Back in our lives we don't feel safe again. Then you long for Kairos or WC, or whatever the next event is that will allow you to feel safe and secure again.

Today's verse tells us: This is what you did at Kairos - do it all the time! You can bring Kairos back by being devoted to those around you in brotherly love. How does that work? Think about the things that make Kairos - and small group - special.

In small group you can trust others with your secrets. Be someone others can trust with their secrets. Don't gossip. When someone talks to you about something sensitive, even something as simple as who they have a crush on, assure them that you will keep their confidence. The honor one another above yourselves part comes in here as well. Don't keep the secrets that you think need to be kept. Keep the ones that they want you to keep. Put them above yourself.

Love must be sincere. Honor one another above yourselves. If you put others before you, then your love will be sincere. And the people around you will notice. And you will have brought Kairos to the people around you.