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 establish, develop, and nourish our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
Benefits of making Praying a lifestyle – 1 Thess. 5:16-18.
- Learn from our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus was never in a hurry or anxious about anything. Although He had only three and a half years to accomplish His mission, He knew when to retreat and spend time with His Father. Before choosing the Twelve, He prayed all night – Phil. 4:6-7; John 11:1-11; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12-16; Eccl. 3:1.
- Emulate Jesus’ Prayer life: Those who have made the greatest impact for God’s kingdom have at least one trait in common with our Lord Jesus Christ: they were men and women of prayer – Acts 16:25-26; Daniel 6:3-5, 10, 21-28; Esther 4:10-17.
Questions/Activities: As believers, what are those things we need to do to learn from our Lord Jesus so we can grow our prayer life and make a positive impact for God’s kingdom?
Conclusion. True prayer is a way to grow in our relationship with the Lord. All relationships require two-way communication. Instead of just speaking our prayer request, we must also listen to the Lord. His Word is the primary way He speaks to us. Our prayer time should include Bible reading.
Shalom! Self-Study: Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:35; 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; Nehemiah 2:1-8.
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