#1278. Three keys to fruitfulness (2/6/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue our Ready and Willing series, reflecting on the life of Philip.

Today we return to Acts 6 and consider a powerful equation for fruitfulness in the Christian life:

Readiness + Willingness + Opportunity = Fruitfulness. If any of these are missing, we become ineffective.

You can listen to this devotional below.

Main point: Readiness + willingness + opportunity = fruitfulness. If any of these are missing, we will be ineffective. 

i. Are we ready to serve Jesus?

Philip was ready. His character, gifting, and attitude meant he could be entrusted with real responsibility in the early church.Readiness is about spiritual maturity, faithfulness, and a heart that’s prepared. Not everyone is ready to lead in the same way—but we can all be ready to serve in some capacity.

When I first became a Christian, I was very ready to… put out the chairs on Sundays! It may seem small, but it mattered. You may be new in faith, busy, or facing limitations—but you are part of the body of Christ, and that means you are ready for something.

ii. Are we willing to serve Jesus?

Philip wasn’t just ready—he was willing. There’s a big difference. Paul writes:

This principle goes beyond giving. Our attitude matters. If we serve out of obligation, pride, or bitterness, it’s worthless. As Paul reminds us:

Let’s check our hearts: are we truly willing—with love—to serve Jesus?

iii. Are we grasping the opportunities God gives?

There will always be problems in the church—because we are people in process. But with problems come opportunities.

Will we be helpful? Will we use our gifts to serve, rather than sit back? We often give our best energy and creativity to work, study, or hobbies—but God is also calling us to bring our best to His church.

Don’t bury your skills. Don’t withhold your experience. Whether it’s hospitality, teaching, helping, leading, praying, encouraging, or giving—there is an opportunity with your name on it.

In response: 

Readiness + willingness + opportunity = fruitfulness. If any of these are missing, we will be ineffective. Therefore:

• Am I ready? Do I recognise that Jesus has shaped and positioned me to serve—right where I am?

• Am I willing? Is my heart aligned with love, humility, and faith? Do I serve from the right attitude?

• Am I taking opportunities? Am I alert to needs around me—a prayer to offer, a burden to lift, a team to join, a gospel moment to seize? 

Let’s pray together:

“Father, thank you for the example of Philip. Shape my heart to reflect his readiness and willingness. Help me not to be distracted or passive, but to serve you with love, faith, and joy—right where you’ve placed me. For your glory. Amen.”

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

For your diary: Our next weekend away will be 19th-21st June 2026!!

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we finish our Ready and Willing? series by looking at a number of aspects of Philip’s life under the theme: Are you ready and willing?

We reviewed some aspects of Philip's life and reflected on our own readiness and willingness to serve Jesus wholeheartedly.

Using the main texts that were used during Sunday's message, discuss:

1. Main Message – What do you think are the main ideas that God wants us to learn from this passage?

2. Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

3. Keys from the series - What key lessons from the life of Philip have inspired you during this series?

4. God's word to us? What do you think are the key applications that God wants us, as individuals and as a church, to apply from this series?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything else in this week's texts that inspires or instructs us in our mission—how we approach people, how we listen to the Spirit, or how we respond with obedience?

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation? Take time to name them and pray for them.

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.