Is God your Father? Does He know you? Are you close?

Reading the Bible and Praying is WORSHIP

DEVELOPING YOUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE

INTRODUCTION: It is important that we establish a time alone daily with God both in prayer and in His Word. It is in these moments of intimate communion with God that we, as children of God, learn the most about Him, His will for our lives, His guidance, and His nature, I Peter 2:2; Psalms 119:147,148; Psalms 1:2.

I. There are a number of things that contribute to an effective and consistent time alone with God.

A.   Plan for it.

1.     Proper planning will prevent many problems such as distractions and interruptions.

2.     Our devotions should be at a time when we can give our undivided attention to the Lord.

3.     Set this time aside daily and dedicate it to the Lord. Thirty minutes, morning andevening, is a good place to start.

4.     Find a proper place.

a.  This is important if we are to fully concentrate on the Word of God.

b.  If possible, find a place where we can pray out loud, Mark 1:35.

B.   We must be faithful and consistent in our daily devotions.

II.    We will find it very profitable if we set a goal and have an organized program of study. Two methods are suggested for our study project; both methods should be incorporated.

A.    Study the Bible a paragraph or a chapter at a time.

1.     Read the given passage slowly several times and think about the text. (The book of

John is a good place to start.)

2.     There are some basic questions we should ask ourselves in the process of our

study.

a.  Are there any promises to claim? (Example: Matthew 6:33)

b.  Are there any examples to follow? (Joshua 24:15)

c.  Are there any warnings to consider? (Example: Hebrews 10:25,26)

d.  Does this teach me about any sins I should forsake? (Colossians 3:5,8,9)

e.  What does it teach me about the Father, Son, or the Holy Spirit? (Colossians
      2:9)

f.   Are there any other truths I can identify?

g.  Write these questions in a notebook and have them to refer to as you study.

3.     It is essential to apply the rules of interpretation. (Who is speaking; to whom is he

speaking; what is the subject; to whom does it apply; what time is under consideration).

B.    Subject study is the second method.

1.     In your notebook set up a systematic method of subject study.

2.     Select a subject in which you are interested.

3.     Look in a concordance and write in your notebook any scripture reference that

pertains to that subject.

4.     Look up each scripture and write it in your notebook.

5.     Ask your discipler for any assistance needed.

III.    Memorize scriptures; this is important so the Word of God can become a vital part of your life, Psalms 119:11.

A.   Set a beginning goal of memorizing one scripture a week.

B.   Key scriptures in the discipleship lessons would be good to memorize.

1.     Write out the scripture you are going to memorize.

2.     Place it on the refrigerator door, bathroom mirror or any place that would be helpful.

3.     It is important during the day to meditate on the scriptures you have studied. (Great benefit is derived from meditating on the Word, Psalms 119:15,97,99.)

IV.   Prayer is another vital element in our devotional life, Psalms 55:17; 5:1-3.

A.   We need to ask Jesus to teach us to pray, Luke 11:1.

B.   Developing a prayer list is a helpful tool to make our prayer time more effective. Write
        the names of the people about whom you are concerned but might not remember.

C.   A format is also helpful in remembering different categories of need. The following is
        suggested:

1.     Ask for forgiveness of personal sins.

2.     Pray for personal growth.

3.     Pray for your family.

4.     Pray for the lost ones in your life.

5.     Pray for the church.

6.     Pray for the missionaries.

7.     Pray for the pastor.

8.     Pray for the sick.

9.     Pray for any other need of which you are aware.

D.   Remember, we are commanded to bear one another’s burdens, Galatians 6:2.