Benefits of Christian Practices 2

Memory Verse: …  ‘The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you’. Philippians 4:9 (AMP).

Text: Matthew 5:3-12

Spiritual Emphasis: Christian practices are any regular and intentional activities that establishes, develops and nourishes our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ thereby allowing us to be transformed by Him. In this series, we will look at some of the common Christian practices mentioned in the Bible and their benefits.

      Benefits of Reading the Bible Daily – Jos. 1:8.

• Reading the Bible quickens our mind: When we read the Bible, we learn principles which are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. As we open the pages of the Bible, we connect ourselves to the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom – Psalms 119:130; 2 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 4:8-9.
• Reading the Bible is the best investment in life: Note, the act of reading the letters in the Bible is not what makes a man prosperous. We are not compensated for reading the Bible. Instead, what makes us prosper is our obedience to what “thus saith Lord” – Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2-3; James 1:22-25.
• The Bible serves as our guide as we read it daily: Put simply, the Bible is our guide for life – Psalms 119:9-11;; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 23:3; Psalm 32:8; Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 6:22-23; Isaiah 30:21; John 8:31-32.

Questions/Activities: How much of the Bible should I read every day?

Conclusion: Being a Christian is more about practice than belief. For us to grow spiritually, Christian practices are essential. It is important to note that for us to experience the full benefits of these practices, these elements must form the foundation of our Christian practices – it must be regular, and it must be intentional. Then and only then, we will be able to establish, develop, and nourish our personal relationship with God, and be transformed by Him.

Shalom! Self-Study: 1 Tim. 4:15; John 3:21; Rom. 12:13; 2 Peter 1:10; 1 John 3:10; Matt. 6:1; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; Lev. 18:3; Gal. 5:21; 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-3.