I recently attended a national convention of high school journalists where I picked up a white rubber bracelet imprinted with "LIVE FREE". These words are meant to be a reminder that Americans have been given the right to freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly. For me, they have more intense meaning as I strive to live a life of gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - a sacrifice that promises me a life free of fear and condemnation. I often look at signs or advertisements and relate them to my own daily journey of honoring Christ's sacrifice. For example: Nike's "Just Do It" encourages me to not let fear stop me from living a life of faith, and Lance Armstrong's "LIVE STRONG" challenges me to fully know the meaning of 2 Cor. 4:8-9 —"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Slogans can be used for far more than advertising. They can remind us of the power of God's Word and encourage us to choose sacrifice over self and generosity over greed.
During the Bible study portion of your small group meeting, ask each person to write down a saying or slogan that helps him or her remember the command, truth, or promise of the lesson. Some examples are:
- Taco Bell - "Think outside the bun"
- T - Mobile - "Get more from life"
- Allstate - "Are you in good hands?"
- U.S. Army - "Be all you can be"
- Campbell's soup - "Possibilities"
- Citibank - "Live richly"
At the end of the meeting, ask each person to share his or her slogan and why he or she chose it. Close your time together in prayer asking God to bring the slogan to mind throughout the coming week. At the beginning of the next meeting, ask the group to share how the slogan helped them. Consider using this memory tool each week for the length of your current study.
