Surprising The World: May 31, 2026
Living a Life that Questions: Small Habits with Big Impact
What does it mean to live "on mission"? For a lot of us in the church, we’ve been taught that everyone has to be a loud, bold evangelist. If you aren’t constantly shouting the gospel from the rooftops, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing.
But in a recent sermon, Pastor Michael challenged that narrative. Looking at passages like Colossians 4 and 1 Peter 3, he pointed out a completely different, deeply powerful, and much more attainable model for sharing our faith: living lives so distinctive, hospitable, and generous that they naturally provoke questions from the people around us.
The early church didn't just expand because of a few bold preachers; it grew because ordinary Christians were ridiculously good neighbors. They lived lives that made onlookers walk up and ask, "Why are you like this? Where is this coming from?"
To help us align our daily routines with our true identity in Christ, Pastor Michael borrowed a tried-and-true framework from Michael Frost’s book, Surprise the World, called the BELLS habits. These five daily and weekly rhythms are designed to naturally alert others to God's reign:
The BELLS Habits
B – Bless Three People: Commit to blessing three people each week, with at least one person outside the church. This isn't about sending a quick text; it's about intentional encouragement, words of affirmation, or acts of generosity that truly strengthen or help someone.
E – Eat with Three People: Food has always been the ultimate centerpiece of community. Jesus was famously accused of being a friend of "tax collectors and sinners" because eating was his primary vehicle for breaking social barriers. Sharing a meal or a cup of coffee is the easiest way to practice true hospitality.
L – Listen to the Holy Spirit: Set aside at least one period of time (aim for 10–15 minutes) for pure silence and solitude. Don't study or speak; just sit and ask God who you should bless, who you should eat with, and what He wants to teach you.
L – Learn Jesus: Spend dedicated time studying the Gospels. Look closely at how Jesus reacted to people, how He loved, and how He ministered so that we can emulate Him rather than accidentally rewriting Him in our own cultural image.
S – Sent (Journaling Your Mission): Take time to journal about your missional activities. Reflecting on how you displayed Christ-like values, reconciliation, or hope throughout your week helps solidify your identity as someone sent by God into the world.
"The reason why we have habits is because they slowly shape who we are and our convictions." — Pastor Michael
Taking Next Steps
If tackling all five habits feels like a recipe for a "moderate level of failure," don't worry—Pastor Michael expects that! The goal isn't legalism or checking off boxes, but rather building rhythms of grace into our schedules.
If you want a simple place to start this week, pick just one or two:
Think of three people you can intentionally bless.
Carve out 15 minutes of uninterrupted silence to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Let's stop trying to do mission work in our own strength. By building these small habits, we can step out of our isolated routines, love our city well, and live lives that beautifully reveal the kingdom of God to everyone we meet.
