maturity pathway - leadership coaching"maturity pathway" establishing christian...
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MaturityPathway
Learninghowtofollowthe"upwardcallofChristJesus"
PastorStanLubeckStanlubeck.com
Spiritual Pathway
Spiritual Growth Map I - PDF* DOC DOCX
LifeGroup Covenant: LIFEGroup Covenant - PDF
Basics of the Faith Authentic Faith (four weeks) PDF DOC DOCX Spiritual Discipline - Values
Climbing Essentials - 2 Weeks - PDF* Spiritual Maturity - FAT - 5 Weeks - PDF Little Communities in the Kingdom of God - 5 Weeks - PDF Jesus, Teach Us to Pray - 5 Weeks - PDF God’s Design for His Church – Spiritual Gifts - 2 Weeks - PDF
Spiritual Gifts Survey - PDF Seeking God’s Heart for Prayer - 4 Weeks - PDF
Building God’s Church God’s Way God’s Heart for His Church 1 - 3 Weeks - PDF God’s Heart for His Church 2 - 4 Weeks - PDF 10 RLC Leadership Values - Doc (ten weeks) Doing Battle in the Heavenlies - 4 Weeks - PDF Lighthouse of Prayer Guide - Prayer Evangelism - 1 Week - PDF Lighthouse of Prayer - Quick Guide - PDF Freedom in Christ Bookmark PDF Starting New Ministries PDF Key questions for launching a new ministry.
Guest Assimilation Pathway: First Step (Free lunch, Q&A with the Lead Pastor) Rooted Study – 10 weeks on Real Life faith essentials. LIFEgroup (small groups scattered) Serving in a ministry.
"Maturity Pathway" EstablishingChristianDisciplines
Preface:
ThisSpiritualGrowthPathway isorganized ina format foruse insmallgroups.Thematerial isdividedintoweeklysessions,andintofivedailyassignmentsforeachweek.ItcanbeusedasapersonaldevoAonal,orasasourceofencouragementforthepersonwhowantstosimplyreaditfromstarttofinish.UlAmately,thepurposeofthisbookletisthatitbeusedbypeople whoareseekingtohelponeanothergrowinspiritualmaturity in Christ while experiencing ChrisAan community. The smallgroupcouldinclude,couples,singles,orinvolveonlymenorwomen.
PaulstatedinPhilippians3:14,"Ipressontowardthegoalfortheprizeof the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (NASB) Those who climbMountEverestknowthatthereareseveral"basecamps"onthewaytothe top of the world. No one skips a base camp. Each base camp isimportant.Nooneclimbssolo.Nooneclimbswith50people.Asmallgroupofclimbersplanstheassentverycarefully,andthereisalwaysanexperienced leader in the group. Every climber carries essenAalequipmentfortheclimb,orriskshandicappingtherestoftheteam.
Won'tyouasktheLordwhoHewouldhaveyoujoininthisclimbofyourlife?
Pastor Stan Lubeck
Climbing Skills
(Keyessentialsfortheclimb)
ThisisonlythebeginningofthegreatadventurethatGodhasplannedspecificallyforyoufrometernitypast!Just as a person cannot experience creaAve freedom on a piano unAltheyhave learnedthebasicprinciplesbehindthecomposiAonofgreatmusic (the keyboard, middle C, cords, tempo, and the use of ametronome), so it is in the spiritual life. There are basic principles tospiritualgrowththatenhanceandaccelerateone'sabilitytounderstandand respond to our awesome God. This study is designed with yourspiritual success inmind.Dig in andenjoy theprocess of learning theskills that will assist you in making sweet music for the ears of yourCreator.
PURPOSE:MaturityinChrist
"Weteachinaspiritofprofoundcommonsensesothatwecanbringeachpersontomaturity.Tobematureistobebasic.Christ!Nomore,noless.That'swhatI'mworkingsohardatdaya]erday,yeara]eryear,doingmybestwiththeenergyGodsogenerouslygivesme."Colossians1:29(MESSAGE)
FOCUS:ClimbingSkills
WewillfocusontheFourBasicSkillseveryChrisAanneedsfortheupwardcallofChristJesus.
• EquipyouwiththeessenFalskillsyouneedfortheclimb• Explainthetoolsyouneedforsuccessfulclimbing.• Combinetheseskillsandtoolswithaheartof
integrity.
"AndDavidshepherdedthemwithintegrityofheart; withskillfulhandsheledthem".Psalm78:72
WHATIS"SPIRITUALMATURITY"?
"...unAlwecometosuchunityinourfaithandknowledgeofGod'sSonthatwewillbematureandfullgrownintheLord,measuringuptothe
WEEK
1DAY 1
fullstatureofChrist.'"Ephesians4:13(NLT)
DefineSpiritualMaturityinyourownwords:
SpiritualmaturityisChrist-likeness.BeingaChrisAanmeansthatwedesiretobecomemoreandmorelikeJesusHimself.Jesusaloneisourstandardofmeasurement.
FactsAboutWalkingWithGodOnThePathToSpiritualMaturity
BillyGrahamwasaskedbyayoungman,"whatwordofadvicewouldyougiveayoungmanlikeme?"Mr.Grahamresponded,"ReadtheBibleandgettoknowtheWordofGod."A]erwalkingwithGodsuccessfullyformanyyears,BillyGrahamhasdemonstrated,withhislife,theimportanceofknowingGodbyknowingtheWordofGod.
1.IT’SNOTAUTOMATIC
Hebrews 5:12-13 You have been ChrisAans a long Ame now, and youought tobe teachingothers. Instead, youneed someone to teachyouagain thebasic thingsabeginnermust learnabout theScriptures.Youarelikebabieswhodrinkonlymilkandcannoteatsolidfood.13Andapersonwhoislivingonmilkisn'tveryfaralongintheChrisAanlifeanddoesn'tknowmuchaboutdoingwhatisright.NLT2.IT’SAJOURNEY
"...Walkwhileyouhavethelight,beforedarknessovertakesyou."John12:35"WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustwalkasJesusdid.”1John2:6
AthousandmilejourneybeginswithenoughiniAaAvetotakethefirststep.IttakesefforttobeginandtoconAnuewalkingingodliness.
3.ITREQUIRESPERSONALDISCIPLINE
"Disciplineyourselfforthepurposeofgodliness."1Timothy4:7b(NASB)
DefiningDiscipleship:(Jesus)"Anyonewhodoesnotcarryhiscrossandfollowmecan notbemydisciple."Luke14:27(Jesus)"IfanyonewouldcomeaJerme,hemustdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdaily,andfollowme."Luke9:23
Maturebelievers,beingcalleddisciples,cannotfuncAonwithoutfirstbeingcrucifiedwithChrist,allowingJesustoliveHislifethroughthelifeofthebeliever.Thediscipledevelopsdisciplineinordertobecomegodly.ThegoalandmarkofaChrisAanisChrist-likeness.Itisnotaonceandforalldecision,butonethatismadeonadailybasis.BearingmycrossmeansthatIamwillingtogiveChristfirstplaceinmylife!
1.Maturebelieversarecalled
2.Icannotbeadisciplewithoutbeing
3.Thedisciplinemyselftobecome
4.Themarkofadiscipleis
5.Howo\enamItodothis?
6."Crossbearing"involvesmywillingnesstogiveChrist placein
mylife!
EveryChrisAaniscommandedtobea"disciple"ofChrist.Theworddisciplemeansalearner,apupil,ascholar,onewhodesirestobetaught.AdiscipleofChrististhereforea"lifelong"learner,becausethereisalwaysmoreroomforgrowthandmaturityinone'swalkwithChrist.Colossians3:10says,"...youhaveclothedyourselveswithabrand-newnaturethatisconAnuallybeingrenewedasyoulearnmoreandmoreaboutChrist."
ThereisastoryfromthelifeofAristotlewhereayoungmandesiredtobehisdisciple.Aristotleanswered,"followmemyson".TheboyfollowedhimtoalakeandconAnuedtoverbalizehisdesiretobeadiscipleofAristotle.TheboyfollowedAristotleintothewater,first
ankledeep,thenwaistdeep,thenshoulderdeep.Aristotlereachedovertotheboyandputhishandonhisheadanddunkedhimunderwaterandbeingalargemanwasabletoholdhimthere.Theboywasnotconcernedatfirst,unAlhebegantolosehisbreath.Eventuallyashethrashedaroundinthewater,hebecamedesperateforair.FinallyAristotlelettheboyup.Astheboygaspedforair,hescreamedatAristotle,"Iwanttobeyourdisciple,andyouaretryingtokillme!Whatiswrongwithyou?"TowhichAristotleresponded,"Whenyoudesperatelydesiretobemydisciplethewayyoudesperatelydesiredtobreath,thenyoucanbemydisciple."
Four Spiritual Skills (DisciplinedClimbing)
Notlonga]erIgraduatedfromHighSchool,oneofmyfellowfootballplayerswenttoYosemiteNaAonalParkforthedaywithsomefriends.Whilehikingaroundthegraniterocks,helosthisbalance,fell,hithisheadanddied.Hewasnotanexperiencedclimber,andhismisjudgmentoftherisksinvolvedcosthimhislife.Therearemanyoldclimbers.Therearealsomanyboldmountainclimbers,buttherearenotmany"old,bold"mountainclimbers.Wiseclimbersknowthatthereareskillsanddisciplinesinvolvedinmountainclimbingthatminimizetherisksinvolved.TheBiblesaysthattheChrisAanisto"disciplineyourselfforthepurposeofgodliness."1Timothy4:7
1.TimeInGod'sWord"Ifyoucon>nueinmyWord,thenyouaremydisciplesindeed.Andyouwillknowthetruthandthetruthwillsetyoufree."John8:31-32
2.Prayer"Ifyouremaininme,andmywordsremaininyou,thenyouwillaskforanythingyouwish,andyoushallhaveit...inthiswayyoubecomemydisciples."John15:7-8(GN)
3.HonoringGodWithPossessions"HonortheLORDfromyourwealth,Andfromthefirstofallyourproduce."Proverbs3:9(NASB)
DAY 2
"Noneofyoucanbemydiscipleunlesshegivesupallofhispossessions."Luke14:33(JB)
"ThepurposeofRthingistoteachyoutoalwaysputGodfirstinyourlives."Deuteronomy.14:23(LB)
4.ChrisFanCommunity"Yourloveforoneanotherwillprovetotheworldthatyouaremydisciples."John13:35(NLT)
TheabovefourspiritualskillsareessenAalinthelifeofthebelieverwhodesirestogrowingodliness.ThisSpiritualGrowthseriesisdesignedtohelpeverybelieverdeveloptheseskills,sothateachonemightbecomecompleteinChrist.
IttakescharactertowalkconsistentlywithourLord.Godismoreconcernedwithourcharacter,thanheisourcomfort.GodwillengineercircumstancesinourlivessothatwewillgrowinourtrustofHim.
"Sowathought,reapanact. Sowanact,reapahabit. Sowahabit,reapacharacter. Sowacharacter,reapadesAny."
MywillingnesstodevelopspiritualdisciplinesandChrisAancharacterreflectsmydesiretobeadiscipleofChrist.
"Inthepastyouvoluntarilygaveyourbodiestotheserviceofviceand...thepurposesofevil.Sonowgiveyourselvestotheserviceofrighteousness-forthepurposeofbecomingtrulygood."Romans6:19(Ph)WriteaprayerthatexpressesyourdesiretobeadiscipleofChrist:
HowToGetA"Grasp"OnYourBible
"AllScriptureisinspiredbyGodandisusefultoteachuswhatistrueandtomakeusrealizewhatiswronginourlives.Itstraightensusoutandteachesustodowhatisright.17ItisGod'swayofpreparingusineveryway,fullyequippedforeverygoodthingGodwantsustodo."2Timothy3:16-17(NLT)
Youneedallfivefingerstohaveasolidgrasponanobject.InthesamewaytherearefiveelementsforgraspingthewordofGodinyourlife.1. Hear2. Read3. Study4. Memorize5. Meditate
I. HowToHearGod'sWord"FaithcomesfromhearingtheWordofGod."Romans10:17
WaystoHearGod'sWord Churchservices&studies TheBibleontape Sermontapes Radio/TVteachers ChrisAanInternetsites
CooperatewithyourpastorsandteachersbyallowingthemtodowhatGodhascalledthemtodo."TheyreadfromtheBookoftheLawofGodandclearlyexplainedthemeaningofwhatwasbeingread,helpingthepeopleunderstandeachpassage."Nehemiah8:8(NLT)
HowToImproveYourHearing
1.BereadyandeagertohearGod.(Jesus)"Hewhohasearstohear,lethimhear!"Luke8:8"Howsweetareyourwordstomytaste,sweeterthanhoneytomymouth!"Psalm119:103
2.DealwithaatudesthatpreventhearingGod(Luke8:4-15)"Considercarefullyhowyoulisten..."Luke8:18
• AClosedMind:Isfear,prideorbilernessprevenAngmefromhearingGod?DoIbelievethatGodwantstoteachme?
• ASuperficialMind:AmIreallyseriousaboutwanAngtohearGod speak?DoIdesireaninAmaterelaAonship?
• ADistractedMind:AmItoobusyandconcernedwithotherthingstoconcentrateonwhatGodhastosay?
3.Confessanysininyourlife."...GetridofallmoralfilthandhumblyaccepttheWord..."James1:21
4.Takenotesonwhatyouhear."WemustpaymorecarefulaBen>ontowhatwe'veheard,sothatwedonotdriJaway!"Hebrews2:1KeepaSpiritualNotebook.RecordwhatGodimpressesonyourheart.
5.Actonwhatyouhear!"DonotmerelylistentotheWord,andsodeceiveyourselves.Dowhatitsays!"James1:22
WhomdidJesussaywouldbeblessed?"ButevenmoreblessedareallwhohearthewordofGodandputitinto pracRce."Luke11:28"—andifyoudowhatitsaysanddon'tforgetwhatyouheard,thenGod willblessyoufordoingit."James1:25bNLT
II.HowToReadGod'sWord"Happyistheonewhoreadsthisbook...andobeyswhatiswri]eninit!"RevelaAon1:3(GN)
"Yourcommandsmakemewiserthanmyenemies,foryourcommandsaremyconstantguide."Psalm119:98NLT
Howo]enshouldIreadGod'sWord?
SUGGESTIONS:
• ReaditsystemaAcally,chapterbychapter.• ReaditindifferenttranslaAons:TheNewLivingTranslaAon,
GoodNewsBible,NewInternaAonal,NewAmericanStandard.• Readitaloudquietlytoyourself.• Underlineorcolorcodekeyverses.• ChooseareadingplanandsAckwithit.• Byreading15minutesadayyoucanreadthroughtheenAre
Bibleinayear!Amazing.SowhatareyouwaiAngfor?Getwithit!Noexcuses!☺ .
A Bible Reading Plan Through The New Testament In 30 Days:
1.Malhew1-9 2.Malhew10-15 3.Malhew16-22 4.Malhew23-28 5.Mark1-8 6.Mark9-16 7.Luke1-6 8.Luke7-11 9.Luke12-18 10.Luke19-24 11.John1-7 12.John8-13 13.John14-22 14.Acts1-7 15.Acts8-14 16.Acts15-21 17.Acts22-28 18.Romans1-8 19.Romans9-16 20.1Corinthians1-9 21.1Corinthians10-16 22.2Corinthians1-13 23.GalaAans-Ephesians 24.Philippians-2Thessalonians 25.1Timothy-Philemon 26.Hebrews 27.James-2Peter 28.1John-3John 29.RevelaAon1-11 30.RevelaAon12-22
IfIreadapproximately minutesaday,IcanreadthroughtheBibleonceayear.
DescribeyouBiblereadingplan:
Mywife(RobinLubeck)makesahabitofwriAngthedatenexttoeachchapteroftheBibleasshereads.ThisgivesheraquickchecktoseewhenshelastreadthatpassageofScriptureaswellasknowingiftherearepassagesthatshehasnotreviewedrecently.Obviously,ifyouarereadingthroughtheenAreBible,thesedateswrilenonpagesoftheBiblebecomemarkerstowhereyoulastread.
Dr.HarryIronside,when14,wasconcernedovernothavingreadthroughtheBibleasmanyAmesashewasyearsold.BytheAmehewas21hehadcaughtup.Laterinlifehewasfarahead.
"Hemustalwayskeepthiscopyofthelawwithhimandreaditdailyaslongashelives.ThatwayhewilllearntofeartheLORDhisGodbyobeyingallthetermsofthislaw."Deuteronomy17:19
ListwhyitisimportantfortheChrisAantodevelopthehabitofdailyBiblereading:
NewTestamentMalhew 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Mark 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Luke 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
John 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21
Acts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Romans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1Corinthians
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2Corinthians
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
GalaAans 1 2 3 4 5 6
Ephesians 1 2 3 4 5 6
Philippians 1 2 3 4
Colossians 1 2 3 4
1Thessalonians
1 2 3 4 5
2Thessalonians
1 2 3
1Timothy 1 2 3 4 5 6
2Timothy 1 2 3 4
Titus 1 2 3
Philemon 1
Whenyouhavereadachapter,markadiagonallinethroughthesquare.Use a different colorwhen you have read the chapter a second Ame.Besideeachbookwritethedateandyearyoufinishedreadingit.
TheOlderTestament
Hebrews 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
James 1 2 3 4 5
1Peter 1 2 3 4 5
2Peter1Peter
1 2 3
1John 1 2 3 4 5
2John 1
3John 1
Jude 1
RevelaAon 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22
Genesis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Exodus 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
LeviAcus 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Deuteronomy
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
Joshua 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
Judges 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21
Ruth 1 2 3 4
1Samuel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21
2Samuel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
1Kings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22
2Kings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25
IChronicles
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
2Chronicles
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Ezra 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Nehemiah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Esther 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Job 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42
TheOlderTestamentconFnuedPsalms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
Proverbs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Ecclesiastes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
SongofSolomon
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Isaiah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66
Jeremiah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
LamentaAons
1 2 3 4 5
Ezekiel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Daniel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Hosea 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Joel 1 2 3
Amos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Obadiah 1
Jonah 1 2 3 4
Micah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Nahum 1 2 3
Habakkuk 1 2 3
Zephaniah 1 2 3
Haggai 1 2
Zechariah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Malachi 1 2 3 4
III.HowToStudyGod'sWord
"And the people of Berea were more o p e n - m i n d e d t h a n t h o s e i n
Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." Acts 17:11 (NLT) "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:10-11
"StudythisBookoftheLawconRnually.Meditateonitdayandnightsoyoumaybesuretoobeyallthatiswri]eninit.Onlythenwillyousucceed."Joshua1:8
AreyoueagertoknowGodmoreinAmately?
"WorkhardsoGodcanapproveyou.Beagoodworker,onewhodoesnotneedtobeashamedandwhocorrectlyexplainsthewordoftruth.."2Timothy2:15(NLT)
YoureadtheScripturetogettheoverallmessageofthepassage.Whenyoustudythepassage,youarediggingdeeperforinsights,comparisonstootherpassages,andoverallthemesrunningthroughScripture.ThesecretofeffecAveBiblestudyisknowinghowtousetoolsandresourcesthataredesignedfordiggingbelowthesurface.Somegoldnuggetsarefoundonthesurfaceoftheearth,butmosthavetobedugfordeepintheearth.Therighttoolsmakeallthedifference.
ThedifferencebetweenreadingandstudyingtheBibleisthatyou
_____________________________________whenyoustudy.
ThesecretofeffecAveBiblestudyisknowinghowto
DAY 4
WhenitcomestoyourapproachtothewordofGod,canyoubecharacterizedasabulerfly,abotanistorabumblebee?Abulerflyflitsfromoneflowertoanother.Abotanisttakeslotsofnotesabouttheflowers,butisonlyanobserver.Abumblebeeconnectswiththeflowerandextractslifegivingnectar.AreyoudrawingyourlifeandstrengthfromthewordofGod,orsimplystudyingtoshowotherswhatyouknow?
“Cryoutforinsightandunderstanding.4Searchforthemasyouwouldforlostmoneyorhiddentreasure.”Proverbs2:3-4(NLT)
(Jesus)"Nowthatyouknowthesethings,youwillbeblessedifyoudothem."John13:17
"TotheJewswhohadbelievedhim,Jesussaid,"Ifyouholdtomyteaching,youarereallymydisciples.Thenyouwillknowthetruth,andthetruthwillsetyoufree."John8:31-32
WhendoyoustudythewordofGod? HowmuchAmeweeklydoyoudevotetothestudyoftheword?
WhydoyouthinkmanyChrisAansfailtostudythewordofGod?
WhattheChrisAanexpectifthewordofGodisbeingneglected?
SuggestedResourcesForBibleStudy
StudyBibles:
• ThePersonalStudyBible: "TheLifeApplicaAonBible"(Tyndale)• TheTopicalStudyBible:
"ThompsonChainReferenceBible-NIV(Kirkbride)• TheBackgroundStudyBible:
"TheNIVStudyBible"(Zondervan)• TheDoctrineStudyBible:
"TheDisciplesStudyBible"(Holman)
BibleHandbooks:
• "Richard'sCompleteHandbook"(Word)• "Haley'sBibleHandbook"(Zondervan)• "Eerdman'sBibleHandbook"(Eerdmans)
OtherImportantStudyTools:
AsmanydifferenttranslaFonsasyoucanafford(ThesecanbepurchasedinparallelediFons)
• AcompleteconcordancetomatchyourtranslaFon• ABibleoncomputerprogramsucha"Quickverse"or
"PCBible".Forthosewithalargerbudget,"LogosResearchSystems"isthebestandincludesmanyreferencetools.
• "TheNewBibleDicFonary"(Eerdmans)• "TheBakerEncyclopediaoftheBible"(Baker)• "TheNewBibleCommentary"(Eerdmans)• "TheMoodyAtlasofBibleLands"(Moody)
RememberthatthesetoolsaredesignedtohelpyouunderstandtheBiblebeler,notasasubsAtuteforreadingtheBibleitself.
IV.HowToMemorizeGod'sWord
"Followmyadvice,myson;always
treasuremycommands.2Obeythemandlive!Guardmyteachingsasyourmostpreciouspossession.3Tiethemonyourfingersasareminder.Writethemdeepwithinyourheart."Proverbs7:1-3(NLT)
BenefitsOfMemorizingScripture
1.IthelpsmeresisttemptaFon."Ihavehiddenyourwordinmyheart,thatImightnotsinagainstyou."Psalm119:11(NLT)
2.Ithelpsmemakewisedecisions."YourWordisalamptoguidemeandalightformypath."Psalm119:105
3.Itprovidesspiritualnourishment."Peopleneedmorethanbreadfortheirlife;theymustfeedoneverywordofGod."Malhew4:4(NLT)
"YoumustcravepurespiritualmilksothatyoucangrowintothefullnessofyoursalvaRon.Cryoutforthisnourishmentasababycriesformilk."1Peter2:2(NLT)
4.ItstrengthensmewhenI'munderstress."...Yourpromisestomearemyhope.Theygivemestrengthinallmytroubles;howtheyrefreshandreviveme!"Psalm119:49(LB)
5.ItprotectsmeTake the helmet of salvaRon and the sword of the Spirit, which is thewordofGod.Ephesians6:17(NIV)
6.ItcomfortsmewhenI'msad."Yourwordsarewhatsustainme...Theybringjoytomysorrowingheartanddelightme."Jeremiah15:16(LB)7.ItrevealswhatIamreallylike."ForthewordofGodisfulloflivingpower.Itissharperthanthe
DAY 5
sharpestknife,cudngdeepintoourinnermostthoughtsanddesires.Itexposesusforwhatwereallyare."Hebrews4:12(NLT)
TherearethreekeystomemorizingversesofScripture: 1.Review2.Review3.Review. Werememberwhatisreviewed!
WhenToMemorizeAVerse• DuringyourAmealonewithGod• Whileexercising• WhilecommuAng• WhilewaiAng(sparemoments)• AtbedAme(Ps63:6)• AnyAmeisgood,butnotwhileonthejob...
HowToMemorizeAVerse
1.Pickaversethatspeakstoyou.2.Saythereferencebeforeanda\ertheverse.3.ReadtheversealoudmanyAmes.Writeitout!4.Breaktheverseintonaturalphrases.5.EmphasizekeywordswhenquoAngtheverse.6.WritedowntheverseanderaseawordoneataAme.7.Writeouttheverseonaflashcard.8.CarrysomecardswithyouatallAmesforreview.9.Displayyourversesinprominentplaces.10.Alwaysmemorizetheversewordperfectly.11.Puttheversetomusic.Writeasong!12.Getapartnersoyoucancheckeachother.
Suggestedbeginningrate:2newversesaweek.
THREEKEYSTOMEMORIZING: , , .
Werememberwhatis .
"Yourteachingsareworthmoretomethanthousandsofpiecesofgoldandsilver."Psalm119:72(NCV)
"LetthewordsofChrist,inalltheirrichness,liveinyourheartsandmakeyouwise.Usehiswordstoteachandcounseleachother."Colossians3:16a(NLT)
JesususedScripturethathehadmemorizedtoovercomeSatan'stemptaAons(Malhew4).IfJesustooktheAmetomemorizeScriptureanduseitduringaAmeoftemptaAon,howmuchmoredoweneedtohideGod'swordinourhearts.
"IknowofnoformofintakeoftheWordwhichpaysgreaterdividendsfortheAmeinvestedthanScripturememory."DawsonTrotman
A]er24hoursyoumayaccuratelyremember:
5%ofwhatyouhear
15%ofwhatyouread
35%ofwhatyoustudy
57%ofwhatyouseeandhear
Butyoucanremember100%ofwhatyoumemorize.
ScriptureMemoryCourse
Thefollowingversessuggesta"balance"inScriptureMemory.TheversesselectedarekeyversesinunderstandingthefoundaAonsoftheChrisAanLifeandChrisAanGrowth.DonotfeelAed-downtothissuggestedlist.Thisisonlyatooltoleadyouinanunderstandingoftheimportanceofmemorizing"key"verses.
LivetheNewLife:
ChristtheCenter IICor.5:17;GalaAans2:20ObediencetoChrist Romans12:1;John14:21TheWord IITimothy3:16;Joshua1:8Prayer John15:7;Philippians4:6-7Fellowship Malhew18:20;Hebrews10:24Witnessing Malhew4:19;Romans1:16
ProclaimChrist:
AllHaveSinned Romans3:23;Isaiah53:6Sin'sPenalty Romans6:23;Hebrews9:27ChristPaidthePenalty Romans5:8;IPeter3:18SalvaAonNotbyWorks Ephesians2:8-9;Titus3:5MustReceiveChrist John1:12;RevelaAon3:20AssuranceofSalvaAon IJohn5:13;John5:24
RelyonGod'sResources:
HisSpirit ICorinthians3:16;ICor.2:12HisStrength Isaiah41:10;Philippians4:13HisFaithfulness Lam.3:22;Numbers23:19HisPeace Isaiah26:3;IPeter5:7HisProvision Romans8:32;Philippians4:19HisHelpinTemptaAon Hebrews2:18;Psalm119:9,11
BeChrist'sDisciple:
PutChristFirst Malhew6:33;Luke9:23SeparatefromtheWorld IJohn2:15-16;Romans12:2BeSteadfast ICorinthians15:58;Hebrews12:3ServeOthers Mark10:45;IICorinthians4:5GiveGenerously Proverbs3:9-10;IICor.9:6-7DevelopWorldVision Acts1:8;Malhew28:19-20
GrowinChristlikeness:
Love John13:34-35;IJohn3:18Humility Philippians2:3-4;IPeter5:5-6Purity Ephesians5:3;IPeter2:11Honesty LeviAcus19:11;Acts24:16Faith Hebrews11:6;Romans4:20-21GoodWorks GalaAans6:9-10;Malhew5:16
Writeeachverseona3x5cardandcarrythemwithyou.Thismakesiteasyforyoutomemorizeverseswhenyouaredrivingtowork,sisnginaDoctor'soffice,orwatchingaslowlilleleaguegame.
TheoddmomentsthatallofushavecanaddupquicklywhenweusethemtohideGod'swordinourhearts.
Butblessedareyoureyesbecausetheysee,andyourearsbecausetheyhear.ForItellyouthetruth,manyprophetsandrighteousmenlongedtoseewhatyouseebutdidnotseeit,andtohearwhatyouhearbutdidnothearit.(Malhew13:16-17)
LordgiveuseyestoseeandearstohearwhereyouareworkingsothatwecanjoinYouinthisgreatadventureoflife!
V.HowToMeditateOnGod'sWord
"ButtheydelightindoingeverythingtheLordwants;dayandnighttheythinkabouthislaw.3Theyareliketreesplantedalongtheriverbank,bearingfruiteachseasonwithoutfail.Theirleavesneverwither,andinalltheydo,theyprosper."Psalm1:2-3(NLT)
AtermformeditaAonis"ruminate".Itistheideaofacowchewingit'scud,bringingupthefoodseveralAmestogeteverylastbitofnourishmentfromthehayoroats.ThereforethepictureformeditaAonisthatwethinkaboutaBibleverseoverandovertoapplyittoeveryday
life.
MeditaAonis aboutaBibleverseinordertodiscoverhowIcanapplyitstruthtomyownlife.
WHYMEDITATEONSCRIPTURE?
1.ItisessenFaltobecominglikeChrist.
"Themindofsinfulmanisdeath,butthemindcontrolledbytheSpiritislifeandpeace."Romans8:6(NIV)"...Yourlifeisshapedbyyourthoughts."Proverbs4:23(GN)"...Betransformedbytherenewingofyourmind."Romans12:2"Forashethinkethinhisheart,soishe."Proverbs23:7(KJV)
2.Forpowertoovercomesin.
"IhavehiddenyourwordinmyheartthatImightnotsinagainstyou."Psalm119:11(NIV)
3.Itislinkedtoansweredprayer.
"IfyouliveyourlifeinMe,andmywordsliveinyourhearts,youcanaskforwhateveryoulike,anditwillcometrueforyou."John15:7(Ph)
DAY 1WEEK
2
4.Itisthekeytosuccessfulliving.
"...Meditateon(theWord)dayandnight,soyoumaybecarefultodoeverythingwri]eninit.Thenyouwillbeprosperousandsuccessful."Joshua1:8
WhathindersyoufrommeditaAngonGod'sword?
SixWaysToMeditateOnAVerse
1.Pictureit!Visualizethesceneinyourmind.2.Pronounceit!Saytheversealoud,eachAmeemphasizing adifferentword.3.Paraphraseit!Rewritetheverseinyourownwords.4.Personalizeit!Replacethepronounsorpeopleintheversewithyourownname.5.Prayit!TurntheverseintoaprayerandsayitbacktoGod.6.Probeit!AskthefollowingninequesAons:Isthereany...
• SINTOCONFESS?• PROMISETOCLAIM?• ATTITUDETOCHANGE?• COMMANDTOKEEP?• EXAMPLETOFOLLOW?• PRAYERTOPRAY?• ERRORTOAVOID?• TRUTHTOBELIEVE?• SOMETHINGTOTHANKGODFOR?
Read1Thessalonians1andanswertheabovequesAons.
DAY 2
VI.HowToApplyGod'sWord
"DonotfoolyourselvesbyjustlisteningtotheWord.Instead,putitintopracRce."James1:22
"...WhoeverpracRcesandteachesthesecommandswillbecalledgreatinthekingdomofheaven."Malhew5:19
ObservaFon:Readthepassageslowlyforunderstanding.Whatdiditmeantotheoriginalhearers?
InterpretaFon:WhatisGodcommunicaAnginthispassage?WhatistheunderlyingAmelessprinciple?(ThereisonlyonetrueinterpretaAon)
ApplicaFon:Howdoesthisimpactmylife?HowcanIgrowinmyfaithandimprovemywalktobecomemorelikeJesus.Whilethereisonlyone"interpretaAon",therecanbemanyapplicaAonsformylife.
D.L.Moodysaid,"TheBiblewasnotjustgivenforourinformaAon,butforourtransformaAon."
WriteoutasentencethatdescribesaprojectoracAonyouwilltaketo
applythetruth:
WhatpromisesaremadetothepersonwhoconAnuallyspendsAmeinGod'sword?Joshua1:8
Psalm1:1-3
ReviewthefivekeystohangingontotheWordofGod.Fill inthechartbelow to set some goals formaintaining your discipline to hideGod's
Wordinyourheart.
ApplicaFon MyCurrentPracFce
MyGoalsforthefuture
HearingGod'sWord
ReadingGod'sWord
StudyingGod'sWord
MemorizingGod'sWord
MeditaFngonGod'sWord
The Habit Of A Daily Time With God
"ButwhoevercatchesaglimpseoftherevealedcounselofGod—thefreelife!—evenoutofthecornerofhiseye,andsRckswithit,isnodistractedsca]erbrainbutamanorwomanofacRon.ThatpersonwillfinddelightandaffirmaRonintheacRon."James1:25(Message)
HowToHaveAQuietTime
DEFINITION:"AquietAmeisadailyAmeIsetasidetobealonewithGodtogettoknowHimthroughtheBibleandprayer."
I.TheImportanceofaDailyQuietTime
YourAmealonewithGodshouldbethetoppriorityinyourscheduleforfivereasons:
WewerecreatedtohavefellowshipwithGod.JesusdiedtomakearelaFonshipwithGodpossible.JesusmadeitahabittospendpersonalFmealonewithGod.EverypersonwhohasbeeneffecFveinlivingforGoddevelopedthehabitofspendingFmealonewiththeFather.YoucannotbeastrongChrisFanwithoutexperiencingthepresenceofGodinyourlifeonadailybasis.
"SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage..."Genesis1:27,2:7,3:8
1.WEWERE TOHAVEFELLOWSHIPWITHGOD.
"Look!I'vebeenstandingatthedoorandconstantlyknocking.Ifanyone...opensthedoor,Iwillcomeinandfellowshipwithhimandhewithme."RevelaAon3:20(LB)
“ForthereisoneGodandonemediatorbetweenGodandmen,themanChristJesus,6whogavehimselfasaransomforallmen—thetesRmonygiveninitsproperRme”.1Timothy2:5-6
DAY 3
Amediatorbringstwopeopletogether.JesusisGod'sonlymeansforbringingusbackintoarightrelaFonshipwithHim.GodsentJesustodieonthecrossbecauseHelovesusanddesiresaclosepersonalrelaFonshipwitheachindividual.
"Yousee,atjusttherightRme,whenweweresRllpowerless,Christdiedfortheungodly.Veryrarelywillanyonedieforarighteousman,thoughforagoodmansomeonemightpossiblydaretodie.ButGoddemonstrateshisownloveforusinthis:WhileweweresRllsinners,Christdiedforus."Romans6:5-8(NIV)
2.JESUS TOMAKEARELATIONSHIPWITHGODPOSSIBLE.
"God...hasinvitedyouintothiswonderfulfriendshipwithhisSon,ChristourLord."1Corinthians1:9(LB)
3.PERSONALTIMEWITHGODWASJESUS’HABIT!
"JesusoKenwithdrewtolonelyplacesandprayed."Mark1:35,Luke22:39,Luke5:16
4.EVERYPERSONWHOHASBEENEFFECTIVEINLIVINGFORGODHADTHISHABIT.Abraham,Moses,David,Daniel,Paul,etc.
5.YOUCANNOTBEA CHRISTIANWITHOUTIT!
"MancannotliveonbreadalonebutoneverywordthatGodspeaks."Malhew4:4(GN)
"...IhavetreasuredthewordsofHismouthmorethanmynecessaryfood."Job23:12(NAS)"Howcanayoungmancleansehisway?BykeepingtoyourWord."Psalm119:9(Mof)
II.ThePurposeOfADailyQuietTime
AdailyquietAmeiswherewegiveglorytoGod,seekdirec>onfromHim,receivingGod'sdesiresasHeimplantstheminourhearts.ThebelerwegettoknowChrist,themorewewanttoknowHimevenbe]er.TheendresultisthatwegrowmorelikeGod.
1.TOGIVE TOGOD.
"GivetotheLordthegloryduetohisname.WorshiptheLordinthesplendorofhisholiness."Psalm29:2
"(Hezekiah)wassuccessful,becauseeverythinghedid...hedidinaspiritofcompletedevo>ontohisGod."2Chronicles31:21(GN)
GoddeservesourdevoAon!(RevelaAon4:11)
GoddesiresourdevoAon!(John4:23)"ShowmethepathwhereIshouldgo,OLord;pointouttherightroadformetowalk.Leadme..."Psalm25:4(LB)
2.TOGET FROMGOD.
TwoaspectsregardingGod'sdirecFonforyourlife:
Consideryourway:"Ponderthepathofyourfeetandletallyourwaysbeestablished."Proverbs4:26(KJV)"InallyourwaysacknowledgeHim,andhewilldirectyourpaths."Proverbs3:6(KJV)
Commityourday:"CommiteverythingyoudototheLord.Trusthimtohelpyoudoitandhewill."Psalm37:5(LB)"DelightyourselfintheLord;andhewillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart."Psalm37:4(KJV)
3.TORECEIVEGOD'S INYOURHEART.
"...(God's)presencefillsmewithjoyandbringsmepleasure."Psalm16:11(GN)
TheobjecRveofyourQuietTimeisnottostudyaboutChrist,butto
actuallyspendRmewithhim!
FACT:ThebemerIgettoknowChrist,themoreIwanttoknowHim."JesushasthepowerofGod,bywhichhehasgivenuseverythingweneedtoliveandtoserveGod.Wehavethesethingsbecauseweknowhim..WiththesegiJsyoucanshareinbeinglikeGod"2Peter1:4(NCV)
4.TOGROWMORELIKE .
III.HowToBeginADailyQuiet
Time
1.SELECTASPECIFICTIME.
ThebestAmeforbeingalonewithGodiswhenyouaremostalert!Ifyouarenotamorningperson,thendon'ttrytoconnectwithGodwhenyouareinathirdstageofcomatoseexistence.
ThebestAmetohaveaquietAmeiswhenIam !
ReasonsforconsideringanearlymorningquietFme:• Manyfindittobelogicalforbeginningtheday.
"ThebestAmetotuneyourinstrumentisbeforeyouplaytheconcert;nota]er!"
• ItdemonstratesthatmeeFngwithGodisyourfirstpriority.YougiveHimthefirstpartofyourday.
• Youarelikelytobemorerested,yourmindislessclumered,andit'so\enthequietestFme!
DavidpracAcedspendingAmewithGodthroughouttheday..."Evening,morningandnoonIcryoutindistress,andhehearsmyvoice."Psalm15:17
StayconsistentinmeeFngwithGoddaily,duringtheFmeyoufindtothebestforyou.
DAY 4
WhatAmewillyouplantomeetwithGod?
WherewillyougetalonewithGod?
OnemanwithseveralchildrenspentAmewithGodinhiscarinthegaragebeforehele]forwork.Oncethechildrenfiguredoutthathewasinthegarage,hethenle]abitearlierforworkandhadhisAmealonewithGodinhisemployer'sparkinglotpriortostarAnghisworkday.Theimportantthingisthatyoufindaplacewhereyouwillnotbeinterrupted.
HowLongShouldAQuietTimeBe?3Guidelines
• Startwith15minutesandletitgrow.• Don'twatchtheclock!• Emphasizequality,notquanAty!
2.CHOOSEASPECIALPLACE.
"JesusleJthecityandwent,asheusuallydid,totheMountofOlives...topray."Luke22:39(GN)
AnImportantFactor:"Veryearlyinthemorning,whileitwassRlldark,Jesusgotup,leJthehouseandwenttoasolitaryplace,whereheprayed." Mark1:353.GATHERTHERESOURCESYOU’LLNEED
• ABible-withreadableprint.• ANotebook-towritedownwhattheLordspeakstoyou
about,andtokeepyourprayerlist.• ASongbook-ifyouwanttoworshipinsong.
4.BEGINWITHTHERIGHTATTITUDE
"BesRll,andknowthatIamGod."Psalm46:10
"OpenmyeyestoseewonderfulthingsinyourWord."Psalm119:18(LB)
"Butseekfirsthiskingdomandhisrighteousness,andallthesethingswillbegiventoyouaswell."Malhew6:33(NIV)
5.FOLLOWASIMPLEPLAN
"FIFTEENMINUTESWITHGOD"(APlanToGetYouStarted)
• BeSFll!(1Minute)
"BesRll,andknowthatIamGod;Iwillbeexaltedamongthe naRons,Iwillbeexaltedintheearth."Psalm46:10
Slowdown!Prepareyourheart.Takeafewdeepbreathsand waitonGod.
• SetYourMindonThingsAbove.(4Minutes)
"Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristisseatedattherighthandofGod.2Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notonearthlythings."Colossians3:1-2(NIV)
Beginreadingwhereyoule]offthedaybefore.ReadunAlyoufeelGodhastoldyousomething.Thenstopandthinkaboutit.
“DonotletthisBookoftheLawdepartfromyourmouth;meditateonitdayandnight,sothatyoumaybecarefultodoeverythingwri]eninit.Thenyouwillbeprosperousandsuccessfu.l.Joshua1:8(NIV)
• MeditateontheMessagethatGodgivesyou.(4Minutes)
AsGod'sHolySpiritworksinyourlife,HewillgiveyouinsightintoGod'sword,convicAonregardingsininyourlife,inspiraAontoobey,orilluminaAonregardingHiswillforyourlife,writedownwhatGodwouldhaveyoumeditateuponthroughouttheday.
Writedownyourthoughts.PartofreflecAngismemorizingversesthatspeaktoyouinaspecialway.
• Reviewa(orchooseanewone)versethatyouarememorizing(2Minutes)
• ApplicaFon.(4Minutes)
WriteoutapersonalapplicaAonstatementthatispracAcal,passable,andmeasurable.
"ThoughtsdisentanglethemselveswhentheypassthroughthelipsandthefingerRps."
IV.HowToOvercomeProblemsWithYourQuietTime
1.THEPROBLEMOFDISCIPLINE
YourfirstprobleminestablishingaquietAmewillfaceyouthemomentyouwakeeachmorning(thatis"if"youplantohaveyourquietAmeinthemorning).AmIgoingtogetoutofbed?("TheBa]leoftheBlankets")Ithasbeensaidthat"thegreatestwasteofRmeistheRmeittakestogetstarted."
Therearecommonproblemsthatpeoplefaceinmaintainingaconsistent,meaningfulandvibrantpersonalAmewiththeLord.SomearehalfasleepwhilereadingtheirBibles(theseBibleshavethetaletaledroolmarks.)SomeAmesthemostspiritualthingyoucandoisgetagoodnight'ssleep.Ifyouneedtheextrasleep,thengotobedearlier!Thenyouwillbeabletogetupearlier,providingyouwithunhurriedAmewithyourLord.BeawareofquietAmedryness,andlookforwaystocreaAvelymaintainyourfocusontheLord.FallasleepatnightthinkingaboutwhatGodhastaughtyouthatday.DawsonTrotman(thefounderoftheNavigatorMinistry)pracAcedHWLW-translateditis"HisWordLastWord",andmeaningthathewouldreadorquoteGod'swordattheendofHisdayashewentbed.
SuggesFons:
1.Gotobed
2.Getup
3.BeawareofquietAme
4.Fallasleepthinking
EnlistafriendtomeetwithregularlywithwhomyoucansharewhatGodisteachingyouinyourquietAme.Havingsomeonewhowillholdyouaccountablewillhelpyoufollowthrough.AskyourSmallGroupleaderaboutjoiningasmalldiscipleshipgroupwhichisdesignedwiththispurposeinmind.
2.THEPROBLEMOFDISTRACTIONS
DAY 5
SatanwilltrytouseanythingtogetyourmindtowanderduringaquietAme.
ToenjoyundistractedAmewithGod,firstgetoutofbed.Thengetthoroughlyawake(takeacoldshowerifneedbe).Readandprayoutloud,andkeepajournal.
W.C."Bud"LaCore,pracAcedthehabitofprayingeverymorningwhileheexercised.UsingtheLord'sprayer(Malhew6)asanoutline,hewouldprayfor
1)ThatGodwouldbeglorified.2)ThatGod'swillwouldbedoneonearth.3)Fordailyneeds.4)Forgivenessofsins-forselfandtowardothers.5)God'sdirecAonandprotecAon.
HavingtheLord'sprayermemorized,Budcouldusethepassageasanoutlinetoorganizehisthoughtsashejoggedandprayed.BudconsistentlyjoggedthesameboringpathbecausehedidnotwanttobedistractedfromhisfocusontheLordandhisAmeofprayer.Weavinginhisprayerconcernsforthetasksoftheday,hisfamily,friends,andthoseoutsideofChrist,Budneverhadaproblemfallingasleepwhilehewaspraying,andenjoyedgloryinginGod'sbeauAfulstars,sunrisesandcreaAon.
3.THEPROBLEMOFDRYNESS
SomeAmesyouwillfeellikeyou'renotgesnganythingoutofyourquietAme("TheBa]leoftheBlahs").O]enitisduringthedryAmesthatGodisabletoteachusthingsthatwewouldnotlearnatanyotherAme.WemustbecarefulnottoallowouremoAonstobethejudgeindeterminingthevalueofourAmealonewithGod.YouremoAonscannotbetrusted.SomeAmesGodwantstoteachyouthemostduringaAmewhenyouarefeelingtheleastspiritual.SoneverjudgeyouquietAmebyyouremoRons.
PossibleCausesofSpiritualDryness• YourphysicalcondiAon-youmayneedanexaminaAonfroma
Doctor.
• DisobediencetoGod-harboringsin.• RushingyourquietAme-nottakingtheAmetolistenandbe
sAll.• Gesnginarutandneedingsomevariety.• Notsharinginsightswithothers.Severallogsburnbelerthan
one.
4.THEPROBLEMOFDILIGENCE
Yourgreatestproblemwillbeyourstruggletostayconsistent.IfindSatanfightsnothingharderthanmyquietAme.
"Whenyou'refacedwithabusyday,savepreciousAmebyskippingyourAmewiththeLord".Signed,Satan
PracFcalSuggesFons:1.MakeacovenantorvowtomeetwithGoddaily.2.Scheduleitonyourdailycalendar.3.BepreparedforSatan'sexcuses.4.LeaveyourBibleopenatnighttothepassageforthenextday!
Ittakesthreeweeksforyoutobecomefamiliarwithanewtask.Thenittakesanotherthreeweeksbeforeitbecomesacomfortablehabit.
"LetusnotgetRredofdoingwhatisright,foraJerawhilewewillreapaharvestofblessingifwedon'tgetdiscouragedandgiveup."GalaRans6:9(LB)
PersonalApplicaAon
APRAYEROFCOMMITMENT"Father,IrealizethatIwascreatedtohavefellowshipwithyou.
ThankyouformakingthisprivilegepossiblethroughJesus'death.
IknowthatdailyfellowshipwithYouistobethemostimportant
thinginmylife.Inowwanttocommitmyselftospendingatleast
someAmeeverydaywithyouinaquietAmeofBiblereadingand
prayer.I'mtrusAnginyourstrengthtohelpmebeconsistent.
InJesus'name,Amen."
ThisdevoAonalisdesignedasatooltoequippeopletobecome“learners”,“students”,“detecAves”,andulAmately“disciplesofChrist”,whostudyto“showthemselvesapproveduntoGodasworkmenunashamed”.
“Feedamanafishandyoufeedhimforaday.TeachamantofishandyoufeedhimforalifeAme.”ThisancientproverbspeakstothegoalofthisdevoAonalthatitwouldbeatooltoequipChrisAanstoeffecAvelyfeedthemselvesonthemilkandmeatofGod’swordandtherebygrowtomaturityinChrist.AhearxeltexpressionofthanksandappreciaAontoPastorRickWarren(SeniorPastorofSaddlebackCommunityChurch),forlayingouttheprinciplesinthisstudy.
Pastor Stan Lubeck 2016-02-18
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