Availability: A Spiritual
Reinforcement
“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately
we sought to go to Macedonia concluding that the
Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
Acts 16:10
Availability
“You know his proven character…” Philippians 2:22
Availability is the character trait for the month of January. Listed below are suggestions that could be
used as a springboard to partner with NRCA teachers in instructing and explaining this principle to your
children.
Definition – Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve. Present and
ready for use; at hand; accessible
Antonym – unavailable, unhandy, unobtainable
Key Verse – “Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia concluding
that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10
Related Hymns. Sing these Songs with Your Children! Focus on Songs about Availability.
• Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (Emily E.S. Elliott, 1836-1897)
• Will Jesus Find Us Watching? (William H. Doane, 1832-1915)
• I Am Thine, O Lord (Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915)
• All for Jesus (Mary D. James, 19th century)
• I Surrender All (Judson W. Van de Venter, 1855-1939)
Bible Verses Related to Availability - Spend several evenings looking at just one of these verses at a
time. Don’t forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How?
Discuss with your family what each verse teaches about the character quality of Availability and give
vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorize
together as a family.
• Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Then said I, Here am I; send me.
• Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in
the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
• Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
• Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Bible Stories as a part of your family devotions. All of these stories emphasize Availability.
• The story of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6
• The story of the disciples who "left all" and followed Jesus (Luke 5: 1-11; 6: 12-16)
• The story of Samuel (1 Samuel 3)
• The unavailable disciples in Luke 9:57-62
Character Definitions of Availability
• Learning to reject distractions that hinder me from fulfilling my responsibilities.
• Rejecting ambitions that would hinder me from delighting in God-given priorities.
• Standing by a task until it is fully completed.
• Simplifying our daily needs so we are ready and able to serve those whom God brings to us.
• Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.
The "I Wills" of Availability
• Put others ahead of myself.
• Find a way to help, not a way to hide.
• Be ready when I'm called.
• Be glad for the chance to serve.
• Check with the right person before I make commitments.
Since Jesus is the perfect example of character, how did He exemplify the “I Wills” of availability in
His life?
1. Available to His Father, God: Since the first sin in the Garden of Eden, God has had a plan to redeem
man and his creation. This redemption required a perfect sacrifice to atone for sin, a requirement that
could only be met by a sinless man. Therefore, God's own Son, Jesus, made himself available to become
man and die for man's sin. Read Philippians 2:1-11 to see what was required of Jesus as he made himself
available.
2. Jesus put others ahead of himself: Note the phrases: “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of
a servant,” “humbled himself,” “became obedient to death.” Remember that this is the Son of God, who
created and had authority over all creation, yet what was His goal on earth in Matthew 20:26-28. Why
was he able to put others ahead of Himself?
3. Jesus found a way to help, not a way to hide: Note the phrase “found in appearance as a man,” why
was this necessary for him to save mankind? Use of “himself”” and “taking” indicate that he did it
willingly and voluntarily. Also see John 10:14-18 and Hebrews 10:9-10. At his arrest, he refused to use
his power to call angels to free him (Matthew 26:52-54).
4. Jesus was ready when called: From the beginning of sin in the Garden of Eden, this redemption was
planned, and it occurred in God’s timing. Galatians 4:1-4 also shows that he was available at the right
time.
5. Jesus was glad for the chance to serve: Read Hebrews 12:2-3; how could Jesus have joy in such
suffering? How can we have joy in being available to those we serve, even when it changes our plans or
even brings hardship?
6. Jesus checked with the right person before making commitments: John 8:27-29 reveals that His
availability to the Father included doing the job just as His Father directed. As he died on the cross, he
could say, "It is finished." He had remained available to the end.
How to Demonstrate Availability
at Home
• Doing our chores without having to be reminded.
• Making sure that others are served first.
• Coming immediately when called.
• Putting aside personal hobbies when they conflict with family time.
• Stopping in the middle of a project to hear what another family member has to say.
• Changing plans with friends in order to help the family prepare for guests.
at School
• Being willing to do more than what is expected of you.
• Working to make your teacher successful.
at Church
• Being prepared to serve in any way you can.
• Faithful giving of your resources to further the Gospel.
Personal Evaluation - Five Probing Questions Related to Availability
• Do you choose to serve God rather than money?
• Do you purpose to be a giver rather than a taker?
• Do you work to make others successful?
• Do you deny yourself distracting pleasures?
• Do you set aside personal ambitions in order to advance the kingdom of God and His
righteousness?