Monthly Archives: September 2024

Transformed Into His Likeness

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 122 - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 - Transformed Into His Likeness- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 122 – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – Transformed Into His Likeness- Growing As Disciples

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NIV)

In Your Presence

I know that you are changing me. You are doing a work in me that I couldn’t do for myself. What kind of work am I doing in you? I know day by day you are making me to be more like you. You think so? I know so. That’s good. You are right, I am making you to be more and more like me.  How am I making you to be more like me? You are drawing me to yourself. You are giving me this insatiable hunger for more of you. I want to draw near to you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than give praise and honor and glory and worship to you. I have learned one thing, What’s that? I cannot be in your presence and remain unchanged. In your presence you are changing my heart. In your presence you are transforming my mind. You are giving me thoughts to think. You are giving me new words to speak. You are giving me new deeds to do. I am not the person I was yesterday. I am not the person I will be tomorrow. You are molding and shaping my life every day as I continue to remain in your presence. Yes, I am. You have learned a very important lesson. I am so grateful. I am so thankful. I am so humbled. I don’t know how to thank you enough for all the work have been, are doing and will do in and through me as I continue to remain in your presence. I am thankful beyond what my words can express. That is very good.

There is one thing else I have learned. What’s that? As I remain in your presence you are allowing me to bring glory to your name. You are making me able to shine brightly as a witness for you in the world. You are allowing me to bear fruit for your kingdom. How so? Others are being drawn to you because your life is being lived out in and through me. This is not to my credit. This is not some work that I have done. No, it is you that are using me as your instrument. I said that there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Yes, you did. I can also say that there is nothing I would rather do than serve you. Use my life to fulfill your purposes and accomplish your plans. Yes, I will. You can be certain of that. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself. You have turned my life around. It is now my joy to live my life with and for you. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Keep on making me more like you as I continue to remain in your presence. Amen

Key Question… Why is it impossible to be in the Lord’s presence and remain unchanged?

Living It Out… Make it your daily pattern and practice to remain in the Lord’s presence so that you can be transformed by Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will become more and more like the Lord as you remain in His presence.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been making you to be more and more like Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you be made to be more and more like the Lord as you remain in His presence.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 122 – 2 Corinthians 3-16-18 – Transformed Into His Likeness – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Slave Of All

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 121 - Mark 10:43-45 - Slave Of All - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 121 – Mark 10:43-45 – Slave Of All – Growing As Disciples

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45 (NIV)

True Greatness

My whole understanding of what constitutes true greatness has changed. How so? At one time I thought a great person had power and authority over others. What else? A great person was the recipient of praise and adoration. A great person won the highest of honors. A great person had the most noteworthy of accomplishments. A great person was seated in the highest of positions. A great person would be remembered throughout all history. Monuments would be constructed to celebrate the life of a great person. People would fawn over a great person. People would live to serve a great person. A great person would live in comfort and experience unlimited pleasure. Is that about it? I could go on and on. No need. That is what you thought about greatness. That is how the world might evaluate greatness. How has your understanding changed? What do you now think constitutes true greatness? You are my example of true greatness. You lived a life of true greatness. How so? You came into this world with a mission. Which was? It was your mission to go and do your Heavenly Father’s will. You lived your life to do what was good and right and pleasing to your Heavenly Father. You emptied yourself of all your rights and privileges. You took on the form of a servant. You gave yourself in service to others. You did not live to be served, but to serve. You did nothing for selfish motives. You were not filled with vain ambition. You did not seek honor and glory. There was nothing you tried to win for yourself. There was no place you would not go to serve your Heavenly Father. There was nothing you would not do to serve your Heavenly Father. You gave yourself fully and completely in His service. Your service ending up costing you your life. You died on the cross so that you could accomplish the purpose for which you came into this world. Which was? Your death on the cross secured the forgiveness and cleansing of sin for all who would come to believe in you. You restored a multitude of humanity into a new and living relationship with their Heavenly Father. No greater life has ever been lived, than yours. No greater accomplishment has ever been achieved, than yours. So, I want to follow your example. I want to live like you lived. I want to serve like you served. I want to give like you gave. That is greatness. That is what I now understand. That is very good.

Lord, I want to live the same kind of life that you lived. You became a servant. You gave your life in service to others. A servant is who I want to be. Serving is what I want to do. Help me to live a great life of following your example. Use me for your purposes. Amen

Key Question… Where have you gone and what have you done as a servant leader?

Living It Out… Live a life of true greatness by taking on the role of a servant leader.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to take on the role of a servant leader.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have made it your goal to be a servant leader.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you become like a slave to all.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Day 121 – Becoming Like Christ – Mark 10-43-45 – Slave Of All – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Works For The Good

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 120 - Romans 8:28-30 - Works For The Good - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 120 – Romans 8:28-30 – Works For The Good – Growing As Disciples

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

Purpose 

I know the purpose of my life. The purpose of my life is no mystery to me.  Really, you are that clear on your purpose in life? You have not one bit of doubt about your purpose in life? You have unwavering confidence about the purpose of your life? That’s right. I have no doubts about my purpose in life. I have unwavering confidence that I know my purpose in life. Well then, tell me what is your purpose in life. Before I do that, I must say a couple things. I’m listening. I only know my purpose in life because you have shown it to me. I am only confident about my purpose in life because you have given it to me. In fact, it would have been more accurate and proper to say that I know your purpose for my life. I can only say that I know my purpose in life because I have made your purpose my purpose. My passionate desire has taken hold of your purpose of my life. This desire clearly could have only come from you. Are you done qualifying your statements? Yes, I am. My purpose in life is to become like your son, Jesus Christ.  Yes, it is. It pleases me that you know and have made this purpose your very own. Becoming like your son is defining and directing my purpose and the entire course of my life. That is very good.

There is more. There is something else that I am supremely confident about. What’s that? I am confident about you. That’s good. You will use all of life to mold and shape my life so I will keep on being conformed into the likeness of your son. You will take the good and bad things that happen in my life to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans for my life. I know that you are not the author of trials and suffering and difficulty. I know that you weep with me as I go through pain in life. In every trial, suffering and difficultly, you will draw near me as I draw near to you. You will hear my prayers as I cry out to you. Yes, I will. I will have no doubts that you will keep on taking all of life to use it to mold and shape me into the likeness of your Son. I welcome all your good work in me. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to come to you. Through your son, Jesus Christ, you made it so I could be righteous in your sight. Use everything I go through in life for your purposes. Mold and shape my life so I will be conformed to Christ’s likeness. Amen

Key Question… When has God taken something very negative and used it for something very positive in your life?

Living It Out… Make it the purpose of your life to love, follow and serve God with all that is within you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will work everything you go through in life into something useable for His purposes.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your love for God is defining and directing the purpose of your life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you welcome your Heavenly Father’s work in you of conforming you into the likeness of His Son.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 120 – Romans 8-28-30 – Works For The Good – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Mary Has Chosen What Is Better

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 119 - Luke 10:41-42 - Mary Has Chosen What Is Better - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 119 – Luke 10:41-42 – Mary Has Chosen What Is Better – Growing As Disciples

Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Sit Still

That is what I will do. What is it that you will do? I will come to sit still in your presence. Why will you come to sit still in my presence? I want to hear from you. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. I want to hear your voice speaking to me. I want to receive your instruction. I want to follow your guidance. I want you to teach and train me. I want you to guard and guide me. I want you to mold and shape me. I know that I cannot live a fruitful life, apart from you. You have very good desires in your heart and on your mind. It sounds like you have plenty of experience not coming to sit in my presence. You know me. Yes, I know you. Yes, I am very experienced at not living in an intimate relationship with you. I have fruitlessly wandered from one thing to another. I have powerlessly tried to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans with my own strength. I have been slow to hear your instruction or follow your guidance. I want no more of that kind of life. Your mind is made up? Yes, my mind is made up. I will come to sit still in your presence. I want to receive everything that you have for me. That is very good.

When will you come to sit in my presence? Let me say this very clearly and emphatically, “There is not one day that I don’t need to come to sit still in your presence.” Why is that? There is not one day that I don’t need to hear from you. There is not one day that I can afford to rely on my own instruction, guidance, power or protection. I need your help every day. Yes, you do. So, I will come to sit in your presence. I will set a schedule. I will make a plan. I will carve out time. I will make coming to sit still in your presence the priority of my life. That will be very good. Why are you being so specific about when and where you will meet with me? I know that if I don’t have a very specific plan in place, I will never live out my desire to live in an intimate relationship with you. Life will get busy. I will become distracted. I will let every task and duty that cries out for my attention, crowd my time with you out of my life. I will guarantee you one thing. What’s that? I will not let anything crowd coming to sit in your presence out of my life. Hearing from you is and will continue to be the first and foremost priority of my life. That is very good. I look forward to all our times together. I do too. That is very good. 

Lord, I will make sitting still before you my daily practice. I want to be able to hear from you. I want you to teach me. I want you to train me. I want to live in an intimate relationship with you. Guard and guide my life as I quietly listen to you speaking to me. Amen

Key Question… When and where are you making it your daily pattern and practice to sit quietly before the Lord?

Living It Out… Make sitting still before the Lord a daily practice so that you will be able to hear from Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will speak to you as you sit still before Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have made sitting still before the Lord a daily practice.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you choose what is better by sitting still before the Lord.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 119 – Luke 10-41-42 – Mary Has Chosen What Is Better – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Humbles Himself

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 35 - Luke 14:7-11 - Humbles Himself - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 35 – Luke 14:7-11 – Humbles Himself – Growing As Disciples

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11 (NIV)

Humble 

What would I do if I were humble? How would I live my life differently if I were to follow your example? What would I be doing if I took on the role of being a servant? You are asking yourself some very good questions? Do you have any great answers? Not really. Well, maybe. I know one thing for sure. What’s that? I need your help on several things. Like what? I need your help to be humble. I am filled with pride. I have wanted to sit in the seat of honor. I have wanted to be the center of attention. How does that sound to you? It is very hard to admit. I don’t even want to whisper the thought. It sounds pathetic. It feels disgusting. Well, you have a very good start. How so? You are admitting that you are proud. You are asking for my help. You know that you will not be able to take on the form of a humble servant without my help. That is for sure, there is no doubt about that.

Let’s take a step back. I would like to ask you a couple questions. I’m listening. Why do you want to be humble? Why do you want to take on the form of a servant? That question is easy for me to answer. I want to become like you. You humbled yourself and took on the form of servant. I want to humble myself and take on the form of servant. I want to follow your example. I want to do what you did. That is very good. 

How will you know what to do as my humble servant in the world? That is also an easy question for me to answer. I will humbly listen to your instructions. I will humbly follow your guidance. I will humbly go and do what you ask me to do for you. How did I come to know those answers to my question? You humbly listened, you humbly followed, and you humbly did all that your Heavenly Father asked you to do for Him. Yes, I did. That is what I will do also. That is very good.  

Lord, I know you came into this world and took on the form of a servant. You have given me an example to follow. Help me to humble myself. I will not seek to exalt myself. I will do just as you have done. Help me to follow your example by living to serve others. Amen

Key Question… Why will it always be a mistake to think of yourself more highly than others?

Living It Out… Humble yourself, by taking on the form of a servant, so you can serve others.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to humble yourself by serving others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly serving others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May your humble yourself, take on the form of a servant, and serve others.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 35 – Luke 14-7-11 – Humbles Himself – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Treasures In Heaven

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 23 - Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures In Heaven- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 23 – Matthew 6:19-21 – Treasures In Heaven- Growing As Disciples

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Treasure In Heaven

I have definitely done that. You have definitely done what? I have tried to store up treasure on earth. I have attempted to pursue all that the world had to offer. I have sought comfort and pleasure. I have been caught in the grip of greed. I have allowed my mind to be manipulated by materialism. I have been allured by the continual desire for more. I have wanted the next latest and greatest thing that I have been told I needed to have and would be empty without. What a foolish waste of my time, talent and resources. The world and all that is in it offers a bunch of empty promises. I came into this world with nothing, I will leave this world with nothing. That is mostly, but not entirely true. What is true and what is not entirely true? You will take no material possessions and earthly treasures out of this world with you. That is true. I get that. That thought is now firmly fixed in my heart and mind. That is good, but that is not enough. What more do I need to know and do? You need to know what is not entirely true and then you need to act on it. What was not entirely true? You can store up treasure in heaven now, in this life. I need to know more about that. Yes, you do.

How can I store up treasure in heaven? Do you think it could be possible that I want to use you as a bold and bright witness in the world for me? Yes, I do. Might others be drawn to me because they have seen my love being demonstrated in and through your life? Yes, they might. Do you think it could be possible that there will be people in heaven because you have allowed me to work in and through your life? Yes, I do. I have given you gifts and talents, abilities and resources with which you can serve me. As you serve me, you will be storing up treasure in heaven. As you go where I guide you and do what I ask of you, you will be storing up in treasure in heaven. As you allow me to work in and through you, you will be storing up treasure in heaven. Do you hear what I am saying to you? Do you believe what I am saying to you? Yes Lord, I hear and believe what you are saying to me. Will you do the work I give you to do? Will you begin to store up treasure in heaven with me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have wasted my time, talents and resources trying to store up treasure on earth. What a foolish mistake. No more! Give me a ministry to others that will make me able to store up treasure in heaven with you. Help me to bear much fruit for your kingdom. Amen

Key Question… What kinds of treasures can be stored up in heaven with the Lord?

Living It Out… Allow the Lord to use you in ministry to others so you can store up treasure in heaven.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will give you a ministry that will help you to store up treasure in heaven.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are storing up treasure in heaven.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 23 – Matthew 6-19-21 – Treasures In Heaven – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Minds Set

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Becoming Like Christ - Day 22 - Romans 8:5-8 - Mind Set - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8:5-8 – Mind Set – Growing As Disciples

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV) 

Mind Set

I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is what I desire. That is my hope. That is my dream. That is my prayer. That is very good. How will you live a life that is pleasing to me? There is no mystery in knowing the answer to that question. Knowing how to live a life that is pleasing to you is not something that is hidden and difficult to understand. It is quite obvious that I, and every other person, have a choice to make. Two different choices are before me. That’s right. One choice, setting my mind on the sinful nature will ultimately lead to death. That choice will lead me away from you. That choice will offer me the world and all that is in it and nothing more. Following that choice will lead me to live a bruised and battered and broken life. That life is filled with darkness and discouragement and depression. That life is without hope and meaning and purpose. It sounds like you have some experience with living that life. Yes, I do. I was on that road. I was living that life. I was pursuing my own comfort and pleasure. I was living for all that the world and had to offer. It was an alluring and deceptive life. It gave false hope and meaning and purpose. It gave me no joy. It brought me nothing but darkness and discouragement and depression. I saw first-hand what life without you looked like. I felt the bruising and battering and brokenness of life in this world. I saw clearly the death this life was bringing to me. I wanted no more. I wanted none of it. I wanted something else. I wanted more. I know now, that I wanted you. I cried out to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sins. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. You heard and answered my prayer. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.

What about now? You mentioned you had two choices. Yes, I did. Tell me more about the choice you made. I have chosen to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. What does that mean? My heart and mind and life are focused on you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My life is in your hands. I am listening to your voice. I am being guided by your Spirit. I am relying on your help. I am going where you guide me. I am doing what you ask me. My life is not focused on what this world has to offer. In every way, on every day, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds. I will set my mind on the things of your Spirit. Help me to fully live the life you have called me to live. Fill me with your life and peace. Amen

Key Question… What have you thrown away so that you will not be hindered in running the race marked out before you?

Living It Out… Throw away everything that hinders your ability to run the race marked out before you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to run the race marked out before you as you keep your eyes fixed on Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus as you run your race.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you throw off everything that hinders your ability to run the race that has been marked out before you.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 22 – Romans 8-5-8 – Minds Set – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Opened The Scriptures To Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - Luke 24:32 - Opened The Scriptures To Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – Luke 24:32 – Opened The Scriptures To Us – Growing As Disciples

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 (NIV)

Set My Heart On Fire

Open up your word to me. Show me what you want me to see. Walk with me. Talk with me. Stay with me. Use your word to mold and shape my life. Help me to hear your voice. Help me to know your thoughts. Help me to walk in your ways. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will follow you.

Help me to understand what I do not know or cannot see. Give me insight. Give me knowledge. Give me wisdom and understanding from out of your word. Guard and guide my life according to your word. I’m here. I’m waiting. I’m listening. I will do all that you ask of me. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will obey you.

Open my eyes to see. Open my ears to hear. You have my full attention. You have all of me. There is nothing I would rather do than live my life for you. There is no place I would rather be than right here with you. Use me according to your purposes and plans. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will serve you.

Draw near to me as I draw near to you. This special time and secret place is ours together. The door is closed. The volume is down. The crowds are gone. I am still. I am waiting. I am attentive. Quiet me so I can listen. Speak to me so I can hear. Set my heart on fire by your word. I will hear you.

My heart aches. My body cries out. I hunger and thirst for you. I want you in my heart. I want you in my mind. I want you in my life. I am fully devoted to you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul. Set my heart on fire by your word. I am all yours.

Will you do what I ask? Will you open your word to me? Will you speak to me so that I can  hear? Will you help me to follow and obey? Will you guard and guide my life by your word? Will you set my heart on fire for you? Yes, I will do all that you have asked of me. Yes, I will do far beyond even what you could have asked for or imagined. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. You are teaching and training me with your word. You are guiding and guarding my life with your word. Your word is changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has put a fire in my heart to love, follow and serve you.  Amen

Key Question… How has God used His word to put a fire in your heart to love, follow and serve Him?

Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to put a fire in your heart to love, follow and serve Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will put a fire in your heart to follow and serve Him as you meet with Him In His word?

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His word to set you on fire to follow and serve Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you meet with the Lord in His word so that he can open it up to you.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Knowing God – Luke 24-32 – Opened The Scriptures To Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide 9.20.51 AM

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

All Scripture Is God Breathed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture Is God Breathed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture Is God Breathed – Growing As Disciples

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Thoroughly Equipped

Do you want me to teach and train you? Do you want me to guide and correct you? Do you want me to prepare and thoroughly equip you to do the works that I have given you to do for me? Yes, I want you to teach and train me. Yes, I want you to guide and correct me. Yes, I want you to thoroughly prepare and equip me to do the works you have given me to do for you. Who would ever say no to these kinds of questions from you? You would be surprised. How would I be surprised? Let’s talk some more about my teaching, training, guiding, correcting, preparing and equipping you. I’d like that.

How do you think you might sign up for my class? Where do you think our class might meet? What would be the textbook for my class? Now, I know how and why people might say no to your teaching, training, guiding, correcting, preparing and equipping them. Why is that? The work that you want to do in each and every one of your followers will require some very had work on their part. Why do you say that? I will answer your questions. Go right ahead. I will sign up for your class when I take your word off the shelf and open it. That’s right. We will meet together in your word. Your word is the location of our class. Yes, it is. Your textbook is your word. Right again. When your followers are unwilling to open your word they are saying no to you. They are saying no to your teaching and training. They are saying no to your guiding and correcting. They are saying no to your preparing and equipping them to do the good works that you have given them to do for you. Yes, you’re right.

What must you do if you really want to sign up for the work that I want to do in and through your life? What must you do if you really want to live the life that I have given you to live? What must you do if you really want to be able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? I must meet with you in your word. How often must you meet with me in my word? Is there ever a day that I don’t need to be taught, trained, guided, corrected, prepared or equipped by you? You tell me. No, I need to meet everyday with you in your word. I need to welcome your work in and through my life every day. Will you meet with me in my word everyday? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for your word. It is my delight to meet with you in your word. Use your word to teach and train me. Use your word to guide and correct me. Use your word to prepare and thoroughly equip me to do good works you have given me to do for you.  Amen

Key Question… Why can you be confident that meeting with God in His word is well worth your time?

Living It Out… Meet with God in His word so that He can use it to thoroughly equip you to do good works for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to thoroughly prepare and equip you to do good works for Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God’s word has prepared you to do good works for Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s word to prepare you for every good work He has given you to do for Him.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Knowing God – 2 Timothy 3-16-17 – All Scripture Is God Breathed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Laid Down His Life For Us

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 John 3:16 - Laid Down His Life For Us - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 3:16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – Growing As Disciples

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  1 John 3:16 (NIV)

What Love Is

I have a mission that I want to send you on. I have a series of tasks that I want you to do for me. This will be a very difficult mission with tasks that will require everything from you. What do you mean by everything? If you are going to accept this mission and take on these tasks then you will not be able to withhold anything from me. I’m still not quite sure what you mean. Can you tell me more? What are you asking of me? I came into this world and laid down my life for you. I gave up my life so that you could be forgiven and cleansed of your sins. I sacrificed myself so that you could have a new life in me. Yes, you did and I’m so thankful. I now love you because you first loved me. You demonstrated to me what love really is. Yes, I did.  That’s exactly what I want you to do. Do what? I want you to demonstrate my love to the world. I want you to show others what love really is. How will I ever be able to demonstrate your love to the world? How can I possibly show others what love really is? Those are good questions. Would you like answers? Yes, I would, at least I think so now. You sound cautious. The mission sounds very difficult and the tasks God sized. Yes, the mission and tasks will be difficult. Let’s talk more about what I am asking of you. I’m listening.

I want you to lay down your life for others just like I laid down my life for you. What do you mean by that? Was there anything I was unwilling to do? No, you gave yourself fully. You held nothing back. There was nothing that was beneath you. You humbled yourself to take on any task. You did whatever was needed. Did I claim any special rights and privileges as I lived in the world? No, you took on the form of a servant. You set aside any and all rights that you could have rightfully demanded. Was there anyone that was unworthy of my love? No, you showed your love to everyone including all those who were living as your enemies. You loved and forgave even those who humiliated and hurt you. Have I set before you an example? You want me to live as you lived. You want me to do what you did. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. Now, you have the idea. You want to demonstrate your love to the world through me. You want others to see your love living and flowing out of my life. Yes, I do. Will you take on this mission? Will you do what I am asking you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, thank you for coming into this world to lay your life down for me. You gave up your life to pay for my sin. You made it possible so that I could come to know and love you. Help me now to demonstrate your love to the world as I lay down my life for others. Amen

Key Question… How has Jesus Christ demonstrated to you what real love is willing to do on behalf of another person?

Living It Out… Follow Christ’s example and lovingly lay down your life for others just as He lovingly laid down His life for you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ will help you to demonstrate His love to the world as you lay down your life for others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are laying down your life in sacrificial service to others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Christ’s example and become like Him by laying down your lives for others.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Knowing God – 1 John 3-16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com