Action Plan: Take CLASS 201 this weekend to learn more about habits for spiritual growth.
Click here for information on 201 and all other CLASSes being offered this weekend.
THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: SLOW DOWN
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Matthew 11:28-29 (Mes)
- SLOW DOWN TO READ GOD'S WORD
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
Bible reading and prayer are not two separate activities
They are two parts of a conversation
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." Matthew 6:6 (Mes)
Read for Depth not for Distance
"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25 (NIV)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
Action Plan: Use the "15 Minutes Alone with God" plan below to get yourself started on having a daily quiet time this week. Try starting in Matthew 1:18.
- SLOW DOWN TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE
"He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear to listen as a disciple." Isaiah 50:4 (NASB)
THREE WAYS GOD SPEAKS TO US
- God speaks through His Word
"The Word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
- God speaks through His Creation
"What can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse" Romans 1:19-20 (NET)
- God speaks through His Still Small Voice
". . . And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV)
Action Plan: Try exploring different outdoor areas as places where you can have a special quiet time. Different scenery can help you appreciate different aspects of God's character.
- SLOW DOWN TO RESPOND IN PRAYER
"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." Psalm 5:1-2 (NIV)
The ultimate objective is not to study about Christ, but to spend time with him
Action Plan: During your quiet times this week, try praying out loud.
15 MINUTES ALONE WITH GOD
1. RELAX (1 Minute)
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
2. READ (4 Minutes)
"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word." Psalm 119:18 (TLB)
3. REFLECT (4 Minutes)
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97 (NIV)
4. RECORD (2 Minutes)
"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." Psalm 102:18 (NIV)
5. REQUEST (4 Minutes)
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14 (NIV)
Doable Discipleship: This week's SPECIAL episode of continues an audience Q + A session with Pastor Tom Holladay! New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
