Abide Weeks 7-8

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Building the Trellis 1. Mark 12:30 Love God with your all

2. John 15:1-17 Abide in the Vine (Christ) and He in you

3. Hebrews 12:1-3 Run with endurance, looking to Jesus, with the cloud of witnesses cheering

4. John 8:31-32 Abide… Know… Be free

5. 2 Corinthians 11:3 Simplicity of devotion to Christ

6. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Take every thought captive

7. Psalm 139 See, experience God’s interaction

8. Philippians 2:5-11 Put on the mind of Christ

9. Psalm 27:1-4 God is my stronghold

10.John 10:7-14 God speaks

Themes:

Heart, soul, mind, strength

Abide: remain, dwell, stay

Know Truth: Who God is and how He interacts with mankind

God is at work

God’s role; my part

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Week 7 - GROUP DISCUSSION Emphasis: every thought captive

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

4 for

the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the

destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty

thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought

captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedi-

ence, whenever your obedience is complete. • What does it SAY?

• What does it MEAN?

• How do I APPLY it to my life?

Activity Set a timer for 5 minutes. In your journal, write every thought that pops in your head in these 5 minutes. Afterwards, look at what you’ve written. • What themes/ threads do you see in those thoughts? • Are there any unspoken or hidden thoughts that have been sitting in darkness that

need to come into the light? • What 1 thought will you take to Jesus this week – naming it, demolishing it and re-

placing it with Truth every time it comes into your thoughts?

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TIME WITH GOD

Ask Questions Be still. Invite God into this moment. These questions are to get your mind moving in different directions as you prepare to abide with God this week. Take one question at a time. Consider it and write your thoughts in your journal.

1. Are you fighting (going through life) like the world or do you fight differently?

2. Do you know/use your Godly weapons?

3. What strongholds need demolishing in your life?

4. What arguments/ pride keeps you from fully knowing God?

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Week 7 - AT HOME

• Write out 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 in your journal.

• WORDS:

• Look at cross references that teach about this topic of waging war in our thoughts.

We are in a fight. Our enemy has already waged war on those who stand with and for Christ. In Bible Hub (website or app), find 2 Corinthians 10:3 and choose the “Topical” tab. Under the Dictionary of Bible Themes, select “8485 spiritual warfare, conflict” to read about the fight and what it is and how to engage and win the battle. (You can choose other topics to continue to your study.)

• You can also look for commentaries on this verse/ topic.

Studying the Bible is part of the “EXPLORE” segment of spending time with God. It in-volves looking at the Bible for truth. However, there is much more to a relationship with God than the cognitive process of exploring truth. We must root it into our mind, heart and soul and it must be expressed in our lives.

Look at the Time with God handout. After you have spent time knowing truth from God’s Word, spend time walking through the aspects of Seek Him, Know Him, Worship Him, Reflect Him and Share Him. These processes can help solidify truth, deep in the soil of your heart as you abide with God.

Underline the words that stand out to you.

Look up each verse in several translations. Note the different use of words.

Look up the definitions of a few of the words in this passage.

Romans 13:12

1 Timothy 1:18

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Ephesians 6:11-16

GotQuestions.org: Search “spiritual warfare.”

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Week 8 - GROUP DISCUSSION

Review a process of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…

What are the weapons of our warfare in the battle for our thoughts?

EVENT

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Lectio Divina

1. Read the passage, underlining words that stand out.

2. Read it again, highlighting a few words or phrases

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole ar-

mor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we

do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of

evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you

may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand

therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of

righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the

gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can

extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying in all times in the Spirit,

with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, mak-

ing supplication for all the saints...

Choose 1 word or phrase to sit with God, as you use your Time with God handout, in this moment. Here is an abbreviated list to ponder as you write your thoughts in your journal. We will share an insight as we sat with God, in our group. • Seek His face • Be still in His presence • Identify His conviction and confess sin • Consider what He is teaching • Adore who He is

• Submit to His authority • See yourself through His eyes • Obey His instructions • Share what He is teaching you

and how He is transforming you

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Week 8 - AT HOME Emphasis: Lectio Divina

Psalm 139

Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you spend time with God today. Take a few deep breaths and release all distractions from your mind. (If this proves difficult, write the persistent thoughts in your journal. Follow with a prayer of surrendering your cares to God, who cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Bible: Open your Bible to this week’s passage: Psalm 139. Break it into sections: 1-6

7-12

13-16

17-22

23-24

Read one section of verses out loud, slowly; let your eyes linger on each word. Use the Lectio Divina method (described on the next page) to guide your Time with God this week.

Journal: Write what is stirring in your mind, in your heart, in your soul, and in your strength. Write your thoughts and responses to this passage in your journal. Share: Choose one idea that has come from spending Time with God and share it with least one person. Expanded option: Read this chapter in your Bible. • Write what this passage says about God. • Write what this passage says about you / humanity. • Write the response given by the Psalmist in verse 14. And his request to God in

verses 23-24

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How to Practice Lectio Divina

Choose a text of Scripture. Any passage of the Bible is appropriate; but as you practice Lectio Divina in your daily life, it is preferable to slowly work your way through a book of the Bible or pursue a sin-gle topic trough several passages as you seek God in your personal walk. The goal is never to com-plete a specific passage, but rather to hear from God. Find a comfortable position in a relaxed place and allow yourself to become silent. Lay down the busyness and distractions of your life as you seek to be still before the Lord. Fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). As your thoughts become calm and focused on God alone, begin to read the passage. Read slowly and gently, savoring each phrase. Allow God to teach you as you to listen to His Spirit and seek His face (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). As you read, a word or phrase might grab your attention; circle it or write it down. Continue reading through the passage, identifying anything that causes a stirring in your spirit. When you have worked through the passage, look back at anything you noted. Sit in those words asking God to direct your attention to anything He wants you to see in this moment. (If you did not note anything, continue on…) Freely offer to God the things the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Give to God what you find in your heart. Many times it is helpful to say what is in your heart and mind out loud or write it in your journal to God – He is listening. (Hebrews 4:15-16) Invite His instruction, His understanding, and His perspective to transform your mind and heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to do His work of comforting, correcting and guiding you. (John 14:26; Acts 9:31; 1 Pe-ter 1:2; John 16:13) Rejoice in knowing the truth that God is with you, in both words and silence. Alternate 3 phase approach: 1. The first time you read the passage, you are looking at the facts and accepting a mental response

to those facts. 2. The second reading allows you to consider the emotion of the passage, as you look and listen for

God to speak to you through His Word. Our emotions allow us to take a deeper look at our own response to God’s truth.

3. The third reading allows you to put yourself into the story and listen for God to call out to you personally. John 8 tells us, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free…if the Son has

set you free, you really will be free” (v.32, 36). Consider how God wants to use this passage to set you free from any stronghold of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-13). Consider how God wants to use this passage to set you free to serve Him with a whole and confident heart. As you come to a close, ask God how He wants to use His Word to produce transformation in your life (heart, soul, mind, strength) today. End in a prayer of thanksgiving and surrender.

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