Benefits of Christian Practices 3

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 daily changes, us: One of the hallmarks of good literatures is its ability to stir its viewers’ hearts to action. The Bible is not just a powerful book, it is the Word of God that changes, transforms, regenerates, restores, redeems, heals, delivers, saves, comforts, sustains, encourages, and guides us daily – Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18. 
• Reading the Bible daily Strengthens our Faith: Reading the Word of God daily, along with prayers and ministry, is our only safeguard for our faith. If a Christian is not rooted in a good soil, he will wither. But reading the Bible daily allows us to grow healthy and be fruitful. We all need to constantly read the Bible daily, mediate on the Word of God so we can be strengthened and keep our hope alive. Without daily Bible reading, our vision of eternity will grow dim – Romans 10:17; Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:11-15.

Questions/Activities: How can we motivate ourselves to begin to read the Bible daily?

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.