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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