E.8: I regularly experience the joy of journaling.

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A Story

Many times, as I have been with believers they seem to have had the joy squeezed out of them like the juice from a piece of fruit. All of life’s experiences have pummeled them and there is little room for joy. This was an experience that was happening to Tom. He was having job challenges, marriage stress, raising children, and other various and assorted challenges.  He asked about this and we went to several passages from the Bible.

Digging Into The Bible

Philippians 4:4:

“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”

James 1:2-5

“Count it all joy when you experience various trials knowing that the testing of your faith   brings about endurance…”

Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as your trust him, so that you can overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to rejoice?
  2. How do trials test your faith?
  3. How do joy and peace work together?
  4. How does God use trials to test your faith?
  5. How does someone count it all joy?
  6. What is the “Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Application & Accountability

  1. What do you experience as you read these passages?
  2. What verse impacts you the most?
  3. How does it impact you?
  4. What do you hear God saying to you?
  5. What resources does He have to help you with these challenges?
  6. Which challenge would you like to take on first?
  7. What do you see God doing in you through this challenge?
  8. What would be your future desire in this circumstance?
  9. What step do you need to take first to experience His joy?
  10. How will you record this joy in a journal?
  11. When will you get started?

I have found help using a book called Joyful Journey. The daily experience of journaling your thoughts and bringing the Lord’s point of view into the experience. It is wonderful to know that he is with us in every experience, and he wants you to record your thoughts and feelings and then let him speak to you about what he is seeking to do in your life. He is excited to see you! That always brings joy!

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E.7: I am familiar with an “hour of power”.

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A Story

When I was a young sailor on board a ship, my Navigator leader asked me if I had heard a message by Fulton J.  Sheen on “The Hour of Power.” I said no. He invited me to listen to this preacher and I remember his message and some of the quotes.

“He said, did you know that I am not here to entertain you or educate you? I am here so you can experience the power of God.” He then said, “I want you to know that I have power! He paused, then he said,” Do you know why I have power?” He then said, “I have power because every day for the last many years I have spent an hour with God before his throne seeking His face and drawing on the power of God” He then referred to Jesus in Matthew 26:40:

Digging Into The Bible

Matthew 26:40

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? He asked Peter.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What is the context of this passage?
  2. How do you think Jesus felt when he found them sleeping instead of praying?
  3. What did he want for the one hour?

Application & Accountability

  1. What has been your experience so far in your time with God?
  2. What are the evidences of His power in your life?
  3. What would you like to see in the spiritual power meter of your life?
  4. How would you break down the time with the Lord?
  5. When would like to get started on your hour with the Lord?
  6. How will you record your results and words from the Lord?

NOTE:  You can go to the Web and look up a website by Dick Eastman on “Hour That Changes the World”.  This will give you some resources to strengthen this hour in your life.

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E.6: I know how to spend a day with the Lord.

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A Story

When I was in the Navy, the local Navigator invited me to go and spend a day with God. I said in my heart, “Wow, that is a long time. What am I going to do for a whole day?” He shared with me that as Jesus was busy in ministry and caring for people, he would get away to have special time with God.

Digging Into The Bible

Mark 1:35

A great while before the day, Jesus went out into the mountain to pray…

What did he do during this time?

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean a great while before day?
  2. What was the reason for going to the mountain?
  3. What are some examples of prayers of Jesus from the Scripture?

Review: Click the following and review this tool – How to Spend Extended Time in Prayer.

Application & Accountability

(Before your time with the Lord)

  1. Were you able to download the instructions on the extended day with the Lord?
  2. What was your response to this plan?
  3. When will you put this plan into your schedule?
  4. What can I do to be of help in your time?

Application & Accountability

(After your time with the Lord)

  1. What did God speak to you about?
  2. How did you respond to his direction?
  3. How did you feel about the spacing of the time during your extended time?
  4. How was the instruction helpful?
  5. What will you do about his instruction for you?
  6. When will you put this into practice?

HOW TO SPEND A DAY WITH THE LORD?

See 2:7 Book 2: Deepening Your Roots [Mark 1:35] I want my relationship with God to grow. How do I spend a day with God?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E.5: I can spend solitude and silence with God.

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A Story

Sally had just finished her discipleship study. She looked perplexed as she pondered the request in the study book. The study used words like contemplative and deeper and suggested how to set time up. She felt it was a little contrived. She wanted to understand the path to go deeper. Often, we invite people into this pathway but they need helpful tools to plan this into their schedule. But first, let us look at a story from the Bible and see if we can gain insight into how a person goes deeper with God.

Digging Into The Bible

Let’s look at I Kings 19:5-13:

Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah

heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What can we learn from this story?
  2. What did Elijah feel when facing a difficult ministry and life situation?
  3. How did God speak to Elijah?
  4. How long did you think it took for God to speak?

Application & Accountability

  1. What is the question you want to ask God?
  2. How much time will you need to answer this question?
  3. How long will you wait to hear what God might say to you?
  4. What should you do in action in response to God? What did Elijah do?
  5. How will solitude and silence help you?
  6. When will you schedule this time?
  7. How could you pray Ephesians 1:16-17 for yourself as you pursue this direction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E.4: I know how to deepen my contemplative time with God.

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A Story

Recently in some books on emotional health, one of the issues in growing healthier in our emotions and love for God is to take a look at several passages and people in the Bible who seemed to have caught this key practice in their lives. The first is Daniel. I remember as a boy thinking of how Daniel modeled his devotion to God throughout the day. I was challenged to do that in college, on my Ship in the Navy, and throughout the rest of my life.

Digging Into The Bible

Daniel 6:10 (NIV):

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How do you experience this passage?
  2. What is the back drop of Daniel’s action?
  3. What is the motivation behind 3 times a day?

Application & Accountability

  1. How would you like to make that a practice in your life?
  2. What do think would be the results?
  3. When will you start that habit and for how long?

Digging Into The Bible (Part 2)

Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Discussion & Discovery (Part 2)

  1. What has been your experience with the Sabbath?
  2. Why do you think this is so important to God?
  3. How could this become important in your life?

Application & Accountability (Part 2)

  1. What would you do if you took a Sabbath? (24-hourperiod of rest)
  2. What kind of rest would you like to experience in the future?
  3. How would you go about putting this into practice?
  4. When would you like to start?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E3: I am able to see beyond the worries.

/by

A Story

A young couple came to me on Sunday, they had no housing as of Thursday of the same week. What were they doing to maintain peace in their lives? They were troubled and wanted a solution. I did not have the resources to help them But I know who did.  What do we need to do to assist them in maintaining peace?

Digging Into The Bible

Philippians 4:6-7:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving make your request known to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What thoughts come to mind as the source of your worry?
  2. What are the triggers that start you worrying?
  3. What does it mean to be anxious for nothing?
  4. What does prayer and supplication mean?
  5. What is the solution that is given in the verse?
  6. What is an area of concern for your life today?

Application & Accountability

  1. How would you make the teaching of this verse real in your life this week?
  2. List some action steps that will help you.
  3. If you haven’t memorized this verse, how would memorizing it help you?
  4. When would you like to do that?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E2: I am able to get God’s perspective on life, politics, and the future.

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A Story

Recently, in a small group, people expressed their fears about the new president and the liberal leadership that is going on. They were troubled by local government decisions. They found themselves turning to fear. The world situation and the threats to Israel made them feel like everything was falling apart. They wanted to get back to the old days.

Considering recent political situations some people have had a roller coaster ride of emotions. Some have had delight. Some have had fear. Some decided to hunker down and protect their family.  What should we do?

Digging Into The Bible

Isaiah 46:10 gives great comfort. It reads:

“I know the end from the beginning says the ancient of days. My purpose will stand.”

Ephesians 1:10 says:

“At the right time, God will bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head even Christ.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. When you hear these words from the Bible, what do you feel about the future?
  2. What do you think God’s purpose is?
  3. Where does Christ fit into the future picture?

Application & Accountability

  1. What changes in my thinking need to occur for my trust in God?
  2. How do you see all this unfolding?
  3. What other passages can I explore to get His perspective?
  4. What will be your step to maintain peace in a tumultuous time?
  5. When will you go to work on this?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

E.1: I am comfortable being coached by the Holy Spirit.

/by

What has been your most successful Team experience?
What were the elements that made it succeed?

A Story

Recently I was seeking to decide about some painful memories in my past. I thought I knew what I was to do, but I decided to create an environment in which I would make myself available to be coached by the Holy Spirit. I created some questions that I thought the Holy Spirit would want to ask me. It was extremely helpful to respond to his voice and make a decision that was filled with love and reconciliation.

Can you be coached by the Holy Spirit? I offer this plan for your consideration.

You may be thinking of an area of life that is challenging you personally, and you would like coaching in it. There are two options from my point of view. One option is to find someone who could be your coach and ask him or her to take on the job of asking the questions that will help you take action steps. On the other hand, you might let the Holy Spirit coach you.

Digging Into The Bible

Romans 8:14:

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God”

FOR EXAMPLE:  Here is how the Holy Spirit might ask you a divinely directed coaching session:

Holy Spirit speaking: Good morning (insert your name). What would you like to talk about today?

Your Response: Lord, I would like to talk to you about my parenting.

Pick any area of your life and put it in the “I would like to talk about blank.

Holy Spirt speaking: Good morning ___________________. What would you like to talk about today?

Lord, I would like to talk about _____________________________________.

Continue to dig deep, be vulnerable, and delight in the flow of intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What are your concerns in this area of life?
  2. What is your current experience in dealing with this challenge?
  3. What does my Word say about that concern of yours?

Application & Accountability

  1. What is the first step you need to take to have success in this area of your life?
  2. What resources will you need to pursue in order to take this next step?
  3. What obstacles do you see standing in the way of your success?
  4. How will you overcome these obstacles?
  5. What do you want to ask me about finding your resources for success?
  6. What have I told you in my Word, the Scriptures? How will you remember my Word?
  7. Who will you share this with for encouragement?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

D.9: Shepherding people

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A Story

Recently, at church, there was an unusual event unfolding. A Christmas backdrop with trees and presents was on the stage. Some people were dressed to look like Santa Claus. Little Minions were present and dressed up. The kids loved it. We had pictures. It felt like we were in the mall. The amazing thing was that people just loved it. All these people were getting pictures with their families; A different emotion was stirred. It was moving to see that there were so many people of different ethnic backgrounds who had never connected with others in the church before. The question was asked, “Who is shepherding these people?”

This brought a memory of one the verses of Scripture in Matthew 9:35-39.

Digging Into The Bible

Matthew 9:35-39:

 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How can we personally become involved in answering that prayer?
  2. What steps can you take to become a laborer?

Application & Accountability

  1. How will you ensure that there is a disciple-making conviction in the people you pass your teaching to?
  2. What steps can you take to improve this generational thinking?
  3. What will you pray for future generations?

Tools to help this process can be found in the Navigators 2-7 series.

Digging Into The Bible (Part 2)

I Peter 5:1-5:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Discussion & Discovery (Part 2)

  1. What is the responsibility of a shepherd?
  2. What of these responsibilities do you feel competent in?
  3. Which ones need work?

Application & Accountability (Part 2)

  1. Which one would you like to work on first?
  2. What would be a step you could take to grow in that area?
  3. When do you want to get started?

Tools to help this process can be found in the Navigators 2-7 series.

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

D.8: Raising up a new generation of leaders

/by

What do you want to give your life to?
What has helped you to develop a vision for multiplication?

A Story

At a conference in North Carolina, a verse was shared about multiplying your life. We were urged to have a vision of multiplication. I remember being impacted by the vision of seeing my life count in the life of one man for the next years of life that God has given me.  It has been 47 years since I wrote down that vision. I can recall many years of this time when God gave me a man to pour my life into. My vision was a generational vision.  How do you go about building a generational vision into your life? Only God knows for sure where all these folks add in their multiplication. I am grateful to see how this vision and scripture have guided my life. How can you ensure that vision is in you and the people you disciple?

Digging Into The Bible

2 Timothy 2:2:

 “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What did you discover in these verses as the key to generational thinking?
  2. How many generations do you see in this verse?
  3. Who was it that God used to disciple the Apostle Paul?
  4. Where does it fit for us to take seriously the things we have learned and give them away?
  5. What kind of people are we looking for to give God’s word to?
  6. What should be the responsibility of those whom we teach?

Application & Accountability

  1. How will you ensure that there is a disciple-making conviction in the people you pass your teaching to?
  2. What steps can you take to improve this generational thinking?
  3. What will you pray for future generations?

Tools to help this process can be found in the Navigators 2-7 series.

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible: