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Week Seven - The Discipline (cont'd.)
Psalm 119:1-112 Another essential Spiritual Discipline is Bible study, not just the kind that you get by attending a Bible study class or listening to a sermon, but the kind that you conduct on your own. Learning how to study your Bible on your own is a major step in taking responsibility for your own spiritual growth and a significant mark of maturity for a Christian, and it is more than simply reading a devotional verse and then reading someone else's insight on that verse. True Bible study is seeking the heart of God for yourself within the pages of the Bible, going first to the Bible itself, reading and listening and taking in what the Holy Spirit has to say to you as an individual rather than to the masses. Personal Bible study is essential for several reasons: Because the rhythm of God is different in each person's life, there will be times that God has something to say specifically to you in a way that cannot be said through another person. Only by studying the Bible on your own will you be able to search out God's individualized plan for your life. As an ambassador for Christ, you are to direct others to the truth of God. If you do not have a working knowledge of the truth and are not working toward attaining that knowledge, then you limit your own ability to connect others with God's truth. As person called to ministry, much of your task is pointing people to where they can find truth and answers for their life. The more you understand scripture, the more you will be able to help people. As you grow and mature spiritually, you will become an increasing threat to the enemy. You will face trials and temptations. Knowing your Bible and knowing how to find the answers to difficult questions in the Bible even when no one is available to help you, will help you to defend yourself against the enemy. It may be the thought of studying your Bible is intimidating to you. Maybe studying in general is not your thing. That's okay. The act of studying itself is not the focus of this discipline. You don't study just to say that you studied. Instead, you must learn to look at Bible study as a means of getting to know the God you love in an even more intimate way. God can create in you the desire to study His Word. As a matter of fact, He can teach you to love it. All you have to do is ask...over and over again, if necessary (Philippians 2:12-13). Don't know how to study the Bible on your own? Good news. The last three weeks of this Bible study are designed to teach you how to study the Bible for yourself. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal about Psalm 119. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. As you read Psalm 119, could you identify with David? Have you ever felt the way that he felt? Explain. If not, what would it take to change the way you feel about God's Word and studying it? From what source do you get most of your Bible knowledge? Does that need to change? Why or why not? Do you truly study your Bible? Why or why not?
What is God teaching you today? Review:
Scripture memory is another very important spiritual discipline. Scripture memory is important to the life of a believer because we don't always have our Bibles handy, and the enemy doesn't take a break. We need to be consistently "downloading" the Word of God onto our mental and spiritual "hard drives" so that the Word of God becomes a part of our own "operating system." Only by doing so can we expect to be obedient to this command that God has given us: 2 Timothy 4:2 "Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching." Only by memorizing scripture can we expect to be able to make God-honoring choices when we are in a split-second moment of decision. Psalm 119:11 "I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You." If Jesus used scripture memory to battle the enemy, it would be ridiculous for us to ignore this weapon that we have at our disposal as we fight our individual battles. See the "Scripture Memory Starter Pack" on this CD for a list of verses essential to your progress as you carry out the ministry of Jesus Christ. Use the tips for scripture memory included to begin memorizing them today. Make realistic goals for your scripture memory. You may begin memorizing one verse a month and then progress to one every two weeks. You may memorize from the Scripture Memory Starter Pack or select key verses that God is showing you through your private worship times or a sermon that you hear. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. Do you memorize scripture? Why or why not? If not, what are some reasons for your habits to change? Can you think of a time that you were able to use memorized scripture to help a friend or to fight off temptation? Write it down. Can you think of a time that you needed scripture and didn't have it? What were the results of not having it? What can you do today to begin making scripture memory a part of the Spiritual Disciplines that you practice?
What is God teaching you? Review:
As ambassadors for Jesus Christ, we are to spread the message of salvation to the world so that the lost can be reconciled to God. This ministry, given to us by God, by its own definition, requires that believers consciously communicate the love of God with the world around them. Ours is not a "carrier pigeon" ministry where we never see or relate to people directly. We must be direct and intentional in communicating God's message. The Bible says that we are to do the work of an evangelist. 2 Timothy 4:5, Romans 10:14, Titus 3:1-8 Many religions teach good works. There are many lost people in the world "serving" each other. Doing "good" to others is not, in itself, worth much in eternity, nor is it extraordinarily rare. It becomes eternally significant only when it points others toward Christ. If you do not know how to share your faith, you must find someone to teach you. Every person called to ministry must know how to pray, how to study their Bible and how to share their faith. God has called you as an Ambassador. How can you help others experience the love and forgiveness of God, if you do not learn how to share that love? Begin by writing out your testimony and practicing telling people how you accepted Christ. Then find someone to train you in sharing some key verses or scripture with a person that does not know Christ. No two people are exactly alike and no two people share their faith exactly alike. Find the way that fits your personality and gifts, then get busy sharing. The most effective method of evangelism is the method you actually use. Make sure you also learn how to pray with them to lead them into a relationship with Christ. Inviting someone to church is good, but inviting them into a relationship with Christ is better. If you do not know how to pray with another person and lead them into a relationship with Christ, learn it. You are going to spend the rest of your life leading others to Christ. Now is a great time to get started. Some people feel that their call to ministry begins sometime after school, seminary or some other training. No, a call to ministry begins right now and a call to share your faith is right now. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. How often did you share the gospel this week? This month? This year? Are you one to become content in ministering to others rather than carrying out fully the ministry of Jesus Christ? Explain. What are some of the reasons that you might overlook an opportunity to share your faith? How can you overcome those obstacles?
What is God teaching you? Review:
As you carry out the assignments God gives you, you must maintain a relational balance, making sure the people in your life hold the places of importance they deserve, no more, no less. This "hierarchy" of relationship is laid out for us in the Bible. God must remain number one in your life. He will accept no less. It's important to remember that your assignment is not a substitute for your relationship with God. If God chooses that you marry, your spouse must remain second in your life. Genesis 2:22-24 Your husband or wife will be an incredible gift from God, but they are not actually God. God is the one who meets all our needs, not our spouse. No person can ever love you, meet your needs, understand you and forgive you like God can. When you expect your spouse to meet all your needs, you are expecting them to be God. If God chooses that you have children, they must come third in your life. Your ministry to others is nothing, if you do not minister to those whom God has given into your personal, daily charge, your family (1 Timothy 3:1-12). Your children may have many friends but, they will only have one set of parents.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Other relationships must come after your relationship with God and your immediate family. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. Are the relationships in your life what God wants them to be? Explain. Are your priorities in order? How can you ensure that they remain in tact in the days/years to come? What do you think the benefit of keeping your priorities straight while carrying out your assignment might be?
What is God teaching you? Review:
Colossians 3:17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 As we have already discussed, each of us has been given a specific assignment, an assignment that evolves as God directs. Wherever we find ourselves within that assignment, we must make sure we are good stewards of what we have been given, making the most of every opportunity that comes our way to improve the skills that enable us to carry out our individual assignments. When we take the opportunity to grow professionally and/or experientially, we equip ourselves to become even more effective ambassadors where we have been placed. When we do our best to carry out our assignment with excellence, we bring glory to God, who is excellent in everything He does. Psalm 18:30-36 As you continue to grow and mature spiritually, be sure not to overlook opportunities to grow professionally or experientially. Become a life-long learner who sees opportunities to grow as opportunities to enhance the gifts you are able to lay at your Savior's feet. Some people called to ministry serve full time in a church or Christian ministry. Most people who are called to ministry serve as a volunteer in a ministry or in a bi-vocational role (you have more than one job or task, one with a church or ministry and another in a secular work environment). It does not matter if you are paid, volunteer or part-time in your vocation, your calling is full time. So, whatever the vocation God has placed you into, make sure you are working with all your might to serve God and serve people. Colossians 1:24-2:3 Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. As you consider your assignment, what professional/educational/experiential opportunities are available to you that might help you to grow and learn more about your assignment? Describe opportunities that have helped you in the past. What is God teaching you? |
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