“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
Christianity is more than just a religion. It is first and foremost a relationship with God. The foundation of any healthy relationship is communication. The better the communication, the better the relationship will be. God talks to us in many ways but primarily through His Word, the Bible. We talk to Him through prayer. We learn to listen to the sound of God's voice in our lives when we read His Word. He listens to us when we pray. We respond to His Word with action. He responds to our prayers with action.
THE BIBLE
“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
More than just a religious book or a random collection of stories, poems, and letters, the Bible is the inspired, written Word of God. Before turning to Christ, we lived by the world’s standards. As born again believers, we accept the Bible as the final authority for what we believe and how we are to live. God’s Word is the ultimate and absolute standard for every area of life.
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”
Job 23:12 (NIV)
We must follow the example of Job who valued God’s Word more than food.
Key to Spiritual Growth
“2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV)
As newborn babies crave milk and need it to grow, so genuine new Christians crave God's Word and need it to grow strong in faith.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Romans 10:17 (NIV)
The more we hear and read the Bible, the more our faith will grow. Faith comes by hearing, therefore ‘not hearing’ will cause a lack of faith. To hear means that we have come to an understanding and then we obey what we have heard.
How can we Resist Temptation?
“3The tempter came to Him and said, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ 4Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:3-4 (NIV)
Jesus resisted temptation, not by willpower, but by knowing and obeying God's Word. We can win the temptation war the same way, by knowing, speaking and obeying God’s Word.
“9How can those who are young keep their way pure? By living according to Your word... 11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
Psalm 119:9,11 (TNIV)
Head knowledge and religious facts don’t produce purity and holiness. The Word, planted deep in our hearts, will keep us from sin.
How can we be Successful?
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
Meditate on God's Word and carefully obey it, then success is inevitable. Obedience brings success.
How can we Know God's Will for our Lives?
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will’
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
As we renew our minds by studying God's Word, we will be transformed and we will understand God’s will.
What Happens if we Know God’s Word but Don’t do What it Says?
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 (NIV)
The measure of our spiritual progress is not how much of the Bible we know, but how much we obey. Those who constantly learn but fail to obey, end up deceiving themselves.
PRAYER
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
Luke 11:1 (NIV)
Jesus is our best example for prayer. By observing His personal prayer life, we can learn important principles on how to have an intimate time of connection with the Father.
“6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
How are we Not to Pray?
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
Matthew 6:5 (NIV)
Do not pray like the hypocrites, with ulterior motives.
“7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Matthew6:7-8(NIV)
Do not pray like the pagans who have no relationship with God.
How Should we Pray?
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
Pray to the Father, not to the mother, or through saints, angels, ancestors, or any other spiritual mediums.
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus..."
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 (NIV)
Pray through Jesus. He is the only way to the Father.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 (NIV)
You can also pray directly to Jesus and the Holy Spirit based on your relationship with them.
What can we Pray for?
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
We can pray for God's will to be done in our lives, in our family, in our church, in our city, in our nation and in the whole earth.
“Give us today our daily bread.”
Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
We can pray for the provision of our personal and family needs.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 (NIV)
We can pray for forgiveness from God and to forgive those who have offended you.
‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
We can pray for victory over temptation and for protection from the devil's schemes.
Does God Really Answer Prayer?
“14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
Absolutely! The more specific the prayers, the more specific the answers will be. The secret is to pray according to His will. We know His will by knowing His Word. Therefore, as we pray according to His Word, we know He will answer us.
The secret to answered prayer:
“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
John 15:7 (NIV)
“.Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
The secret to answered prayer is: Not my will be done, but Your will be done! Why not pray right now?
QUESTIONS
• Do you have a set time and place for daily Bible reading and prayer?
Are you involved in a discipleship group?
Have you forgiven all who have sinned against you?
‘Are you committed to personal and corporate prayer?
What are you trusting God for?
Begin praying for your “daily bread.” When you pray, pray the Word of God. Keep a prayer journal to record God's faithfulness.
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with.