Becoming a Fully Devoted Follower of ChristSample

Today we are going to start talking about spiritual HABITS. Remember, when you know WHO you are and WHOSE you are,  you’ll know WHAT to do. 

Who do we want to become? We want to become fully devoted followers of Christ. So we will focus on spiritual habits that will help us be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what He would do.

Today we are going to talk about HAVING A DEDICATED TIME WITH GOD. It turns out your mom was right. We become like who we hang out with. 

Having a dedicated time with God is a daily time set aside to be alone with God to get to know Him through prayer, Bible reading, and memorizing scripture. This time alone with God should be a top priority in your schedule for four reasons:

     1. We were CREATED  to have fellowship with God. (Genesis 1:27, 2:7, 3:8)

    2. Personal time alone with God was Jesus’ SOURCE OF STRENGTH. (Mark 1:35; Luke 22:39; Luke 5:16)

    3. We get DIRECTION from God. (Psalm 25:4)

    4. We BECOME more like Jesus when we spend time with Him (2 Peter 1:3-4, Acts 4:13).

HAVING A DEDICATED TIME WITH GOD BY READING THE BIBLE

     1. Select a time in the day that can be a REGULAR TIME.

    2. Start with just a FEW MINUTES and allow your time to grow.

    3. Find a SPECIAL PLACE where you can be focused.

    4. START SMALL. It’s better to have small victories and continue than be defeated and give up. 

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

HAVING A DEDICATED TIME WITH GOD BY MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE

     1. Knowing God’s word helps me RESIST temptation. (Psalm 119:11)

    2. Knowing God’s word helps me make WISE decisions. (Psalm 119:105)

     3. Knowing God’s word STRENGTHENS me when I’m under stress. (Psalm 119:49)

     4. Knowing God’s word COMFORTS me when I’m sad. (Jeremiah 15:16)

      5. Knowing God’s word helps me WITNESS to unbelievers. (1 Peter 3:15)

HAVING A DEDICATED TIME WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. When you are praying to God:

     1. Be REAL (Matthew 6:5)

    2. Be RELAXED (Matthew 6:6)

    3. Be REVEALING (Matthew 6:7-8)

If you are wanting to learn how to pray to God, I’d like to encourage you to use the A.C.T. U.P. model. 

Adoration: I praise you, God because… (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
Confession: I ask forgiveness for…(1 John 1:9)
Thanksgiving: I’m thankful for… (Psalms 7:17)

Uplifting: Today I’m going to encourage… (Hebrews 3:13)
Prayer Request: I ask you for… (Philippians 4:6-7)

ACTION PLAN

We’ve actually created an action plan to help you develop this first and most important habit of spending time with Jesus. Research tells us it takes 3 weeks to become familiar with a new task. Then it takes another 3 weeks before it becomes a comfortable habit. We created an additional Bible Plan called Becoming: Having a Dedicated Time With Jesus. This plan will get you started and help you develop this important habit of quality time with Jesus. 

We will take you through the book of John that has 21 chapters. Remember, we will start small so I encourage you to space out 1 chapter for each week. That means it will be over 21 weeks. I want to encourage you to use the S.O.A.P method in a notebook or in the notes of your phone. If you do this with someone else, you can type it in the Talk It Over section of the Bible Plan. 

What does this practically look like?

First, take 30 seconds and ask God to help you focus on your relationship with Him. Prayer is just having a conversation, so just be you. 

SCRIPTURE  - Read today’s scripture. As you read, highlight or write down any verses that stood out to you or spoke to you.
OBSERVATION - As you read, observe the text. Who are the people involved with this passage? What are the events which take place? Where is this passage located in the Bible? Why did God put this in the Bible for me to read? When did this passage take place? How did God work in this passage? What is God showing me in this passage?
APPLICATION - How will I apply this to my life? What do I need to change to become more like Jesus?
PRAYER - Write a prayer or say a prayer to God asking Him to give you the strength to apply these truths to your life. 

Lastly, each week I want to encourage you to choose 1 passage of scripture to memorize. Repeat the passage multiple times throughout the day. Write it out on paper or in the notes on your phone. Display in a prominent place you’ll see throughout the day. And share it with a friend. 

Congratulations on the first steps of building spiritual HABITS! 

Next Steps -

    1. This week put the action plan of dedicated time with God into practice.

    2. Meet with a mentor and talk about what God is showing you.

    3. Start the 21 Days Bible plan called "Becoming: Having a Dedicated Time with Jesus" after you complete this one.