2. Get Ready to Spend Time w/God
2. Get Ready to Spend Time w/God
We need to prepare ourselves to spend time with God. We understand preparation in so many other disciplines. Athletes stretch in preparation for taking the court or field so as to avoid injury. Students study in preparation for tests in order to perform well. Farmers till and turn the soil before they plant seeds with expectations that the preparation will lead to a greater harvest. So it is with our time with the Lord.
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight” [Luke 3:4]
We want to challenge you to think about your preparation when you spend time with the Lord. Here are 5 disciplines that will help you spend time with the Lord. And know, these disciplines will help to prepare you for all aspects of your life: Sports, education, work, etc.
- Prepare our minds thru prayer to receive from the Lord. (Pray)
- Reading with expectation to hear & receive from God. (Listen)
- Respond in Journaling. Speak back to the Lord what He shared with you in your journal. (Speak)
- Be prepared to share with those in your small group what you have received from the Lord. (Share)
- Encourage others to follow your model discipline. (Lead)
Scripture Reference:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you have a routine of spending time with the Lord and in the word?
2. What does your time with the Lord look like?
3. On a scale of 1-10 tell of your desire to spend more time with God. Be honest for that is the only right answer.
Assignment:
Put these 5 disciplines into practice as you read the key scripture for this week. Prepare your mind by praying before you read through the scripture. Read the scripture with the expectation that God will speak to you through His word and write a journal entry speaking back to the Lord what he shared with you or any questions that came up as you read. Lastly, be prepared when we meet to share what you have learned through the process and how to encourage the people in the group to add these disciplines to their life as well.