Tag Archives: Discipleship

Founded On The Rock

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - Matthew 7:24-27 - Founded On The Rock - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – Matthew 7:24-27 – Founded On The Rock – Growing As Disciples

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)  

Hear And Do

Do you want to build your life on a firm foundation? Do you want your life to be able to withstand the storms of life? Why are you asking me these questions? These are very important questions. Why is that? You can be certain that storms will come into your life. Storms came into my life. Storms will come into your life. Storms are inevitable. I would like you to be prepared for the storms of life. I would like you to be able to withstand the storms of life. Then we certainly want the same thing.

How can I withstand the storms of life? How can I build my life on a firm foundation? You will need to do two things regularly if you want to build your life on a firm foundation and withstand the storms of life. I’m listening. You have my full attention. That’s good. You are already on the right track. What do you mean by that? You must listen to my word. You must give my word your full attention. Take my word into your heart and mind and life. Let my word dwell in you richly. Think about my word day and night. Let my word be your meditation. Let my word change your heart. Let my word transform your mind. Let my word guide your life. Don’t let a day go by that you don’t meet with me in my word. Is there any day that you do not need to hear from me? Is there any time that you can live without my guidance and counsel? No, there is not any day that I don’t need to hear from you. I will listen to hear all that you want to say to me. That is very good.  This is the first part of what you must do if you want to build your life on a firm foundation and be able to withstand the storms of life. 

What else must I do if I want to build my life on a firm foundation and be able to withstand the storms of life? You must put my word into practice. It is not enough to hear my word. You must do what my word says. It will do you no good to only hear my word. Putting my word into practice will build a strong foundation for your life. Putting my word into practice will make you able to withstand the storms of life. Will you hear and do my word? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want your word to be my firm foundation. I will make time every day to hear and put your word into practice. Use your word to guide me away from storms in life. Use your word to help me to withstand all storms in life and free me from worry about them. Amen

Key Question… How are you making time every day to carefully listen to and put God’s word in practice?

Living It Out… Listen to and put God’s word into practice so that you will have a rock-solid foundation for your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that hearing and doing God’s word will provide a rock-solid foundation for your life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are free from worry because of your firm foundation in Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you make time to hear and put God’s word into practice so your life will be built on a firm foundation.

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

Freedom – Matthew 7-24-27 – Founded On The Rock – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

The Gift Of God

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Freedom - Romans 6:23 - The Gift Of God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Freedom – Romans 6:23 – The Gift Of God – Growing As Disciples

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)

New Life

You left your old life of sin. You have walked away from your old ways of thinking, speaking and acting. You have heard my call. You have come to me. You have turned your life over to me. That is exactly what I have done. You got my attention. You made me able to hear your voice. You drew me to yourself. You pulled me out of the muck and mire of my old life. You set me on a firm foundation. You took me off the path that was leading away from you. You set me on a new path of loving, following and serving you. You gave me a completely new life to live. Yes, I did. My life is in your hands. It is my desire and joy to live my life with and for you. That is very good.

I don’t know where you will lead me. I don’t know what you will ask of me. All I know is that you have given me a completely new life of salvation to live that starts now and will continue forever. Where I will go, what I will do and what will unfold are all a mystery and an exciting journey for me. I do know some things for certain. What’s that? You are good. You are kind. You are loving. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You will use me to bear fruit for your kingdom. You will use me to bring glory to your name. Your hand will be on me. You will be with me. You will help me on every step of my way as I walk this new life of salvation with you. Yes, I will.

I want to tell you a few things. What’s that? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. There is no place I would rather be than in your presence. There is nothing I would rather do than follow and serve you. I want to thank you for rescuing me from a life without you. I didn’t earn your favor. I did not merit your salvation. All that you have given to me has come to me as a gift. What a great and glorious gift you have given to me. I am thankful for the life of salvation that I have been given to live in you both now and forever. That is very good.

Lord, I was receiving deathly wages for my sinful life. Thank you for drawing me to you and helping me to turn away from life of sin. Thank you for your forgiveness and cleansing of all my sin. Thank you for giving me a new life to live in you now and forever. Amen

Key Question… Where have you gone and what have you done as you have begun to live your new life in Jesus Christ?

Living It Out… Live the completely new life of salvation that you have in Jesus Christ that starts now and continues forever.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Jesus Christ has given you a completely new life of salvation to live in Him both now and forever.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living your new life of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live the completely new life of salvation you have in Jesus Christ.

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

Freedom – Romans 6-23 – The Gift Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Opened Their Minds

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Discipleship Study - The Mind - Luke 24:45-49 - Opened Their Minds - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Study – The Mind – Luke 24:45-49 – Opened Their Minds – Growing As Disciples

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:45-49 (NIV) 

Stay 

That is a hard word for you to hear and obey. What word? The word, stay. You have a hard time staying in one place. You want to be on the move. You are restless. You are impatient. You like to keep busy. You know me. Yes, I know you. The question I want to ask you is, “Do you want to know me?” Yes, I want to know you. It is the desire of my heart to know you. It is the goal of my life to know you. I don’t want to know you just a little bit either. I want to know you intimately. I want to know your will and walk in your ways. I want to go and do whatever is pleasing to you. I want to live a life that accomplishes your purposes and fulfills your plans. That is very good. 

You will never know me intimately if you don’t learn to stay in my presence. You will never be able to go and do what I ask of you, if you do not wait for my instructions. Haven’t you raced off, in a hundred different directions, thinking that you were going to go and do my will? Yes, I have done that many times, probably far more than a hundred. You don’t want to know the actual number of times you haven’t waited for my instructions. Let me just say that your waiting to listen to my instructions is a rare event. Forgive me, for not waiting for your instructions. You are forgiven. But, there is far more than waiting for my instructions, that you have missed out on. What else have I missed out on? You have not waited to be clothed with my power to do what I have asked of you. It is not enough to know what I want you to do. You must also rely on my power to do what I have given you to do for me. How many times have you attempted to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans with your own strength? Far too often, I’m sure. That’s right. 

Will you stay and wait for my instructions? Will you rely on me to cloth you with my power to do what I ask of you? Yes Lord, I will wait for your instructions. I will rely on your power to help me to go and do your will. That will be very good. Then you will be a bold witness for me in the world. Then you will accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. I will speak through your life. I will use you to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name.

Lord, thank you for opening my mind to understand the Scriptures. Thank you for helping me to turn away from my old life and receive forgiveness and cleansing of all my sin. Use my life and give me your power to be a bold witness for you in the world. Amen

Key Question… How has the Holy Spirit helped you to understand and apply the Scriptures to your life?

Living It Out… Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to understand and apply the Scriptures to your life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will empower you to be a witness for Christ in the world.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has instructed you to follow and serve the Lord.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind so you can understand the Scriptures.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:

The Mind – Luke 24-45-49 – Opened Their Minds – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Able To Give Instruction

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - Titus 1:9 - Able To Give Instruction - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – Titus 1:9 – Able To Give Instruction – Growing As Disciples

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9 (ESV)

Hold On

Those are two words that I want you to deeply consider. What words? Hold on, how are you holding on to my word? What would it look like for you to hold on to my word? What would, holding on, to my word require of you? Would you be holding on to my word if you only passively listened to it? Would you be holding on to my word if you never let it penetrate your heart and mind? Would you be holding on to my word if you never let it guide your life? Would you be holding on to my word if you never put it into practice? Will looking into my word once a week be enough for you to get a grip on my word so that you can hold on tightly to it? What would you do with my word, if your life depended on it? What would you do with my word, if it were more valuable than silver or gold? What would you do with my word, if it is the tool with which I want to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? What would you do with my word, if I told you that it was your defense against false teaching and worldly ideas? What would you do with my word, if there was no other way for you to begin to think my thoughts and know and do my will? What would you do with my word, if I told you that you will come to know me only as well as you come to know my word? Those are all very good questions. I am sure that none of them are hypothetical. No, they are not. I will come to meet with you in your word. I will listen carefully to everything you want to say to me. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I will meet with you every day in your word. I will hunger and thirst for your word. I will let your Holy Spirit take your word to use it to fight in me, with me, and for me. I will allow your word to strengthen me so that I can stand against temptation. I allow your word to form my thinking so that I can recognize and refute false teaching and worldly ideas. I will pray that you will teach and train me with your word so that I can encourage and teach others all that I have learned by holding on to your word and putting it into practice. That will be very good.

Lord, I will hold on tightly to your word. Daily, I will meditate on your word. I will allow your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and guide my life. Use me to teach others your word. Help me to refute false teaching and worldly ideas with your word. Amen

Key Question… When has God used you to teach others what you learned by holding on tightly to God’s word?

Living It Out… Make it the pattern and practice of your life to hold on tightly to God’s word so you can be encouraged and taught by it.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will be encouraged and taught by God’s word every day as you hold on tightly to it.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are holding on tightly to God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you hold on tightly to God’s word so you can use it to both exhort and refute others.

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

Be – Titus 1-9 – Able To Give Instruction – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Any Offensive Way In Me

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Psalm 139:23-24 -Any Offensive Way In Me - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Psalm 139:23-24 -Any Offensive Way In Me – Growing As Disciples

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) 

Search Me

I have nothing I want to hide. I welcome you to search my life. That does not mean that I think that I am perfect. I am far from that. I am a sinner that is for sure. I have thought, said and done what is not pleasing to you. I have sinned both in my actions and in my inaction. Why do you want me to examine your life? Why do you feel so confident in your request? My confidence is not in myself. My confidence is in you. I know that you love me. I know that you are on my side. I know that you have your best in mind for me. It is very good that you are confident in me. I want what you want. I want to fully live the life that you have called me to live. I don’t want to fall short of your hopes, and dreams and plans for me. I don’t want anything to hinder all that you want to do in and through my life. You are right in your thinking. 

I know that I have been making a mistake. What kind of mistake have you been making? I have been living an unexamined life. I have not asked you to examine my life nearly enough. I have been showing you your sins. Yes, I know. But, I have not asked you to show me my sin. I have not welcomed your examination of my life. I have not sat to listen to what you might want to say to me about what I have thought, said and done. I have not made confession of my sins a regular part of the end of each of my days. I’m suspecting that you want me to see more of my sin. Why is that? As I see what you want me to see, I will know how you want to mold and shape my life. I will allow you to do what you want to do in and through me. Yes, You will.

So what is your plan? I will sit before you at the end of each day. I will ask you to examine my life. I will ask you to show me what you want me to see. I will listen to all that you want me to hear. I will allow you to work in my life. I will allow you to make me into the person that you have called me to be. That will be very good.

Lord, I have no desire to hide anything from you. I want my life to be like an open book before you. Examine my life closely. Remove anything and everything from my life that is not pleasing to you. I welcome your work in my life. Amen

Key Question… Why can you fully trust the Lord to remove from your life what is not pleasing to Him?

Living It Out… Invite God to examine your life and remove anything in it that is not pleasing to Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will examine your life and remove anything in it that is not pleasing to Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group what God has removed from your life that was not pleasing to Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to examine your life and remove anything that is not pleasing to Him.

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

If – Psalm 139-23-24 – Any Offensive Way In Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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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

Of One Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Peter 3:8 - Of One Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Peter 3:8 – Of One Mind – Growing As Disciples

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)

Humble Attitude

You don’t know it all. You don’t have it all. You are not independent. You are not self-sufficient. Life does not revolve around you. You are not to be self-centered. You are certainly not to be self-indulgent. You will do well to think about others. You will do well if you live your life with a humble attitude. I am calling to live your life with and for others. Be on guard about thinking too much about yourself. You will know that you are in treacherous territory when you are continually thinking all about your wants and needs and desires.

What is safe territory? How will I know if my thoughts are lining up with your thoughts? I already mentioned that I want you to live your life with a humble attitude. I heard that. How will living with a humble attitude play out in your life? I will listen more and talk less. I will meet with you in your word. I will allow your word to change my heart. I will allow your word to transform my mind. I will allow your word to guide my life. I will listen attentively to everything you want to say to me. I will also carefully consider whatever my brothers and sisters in the faith are saying to me. I know that you have placed in a body of believers so that I can both encourage others and be encouraged by them. I will seek counsel from my fellow brothers and sisters. I will listen to their advice. I will follow their directions. I will not be argumentative. I will seek to be in unity of thought with all your followers. I will seek to be a peacemaker so I can live in your peace. Even if I do disagree, I will not be disagreeable. I will be approachable. I will be open and tenderhearted. I will make time to listen to others. I will be sympathetic to others when they are going through difficulties in life. I will encourage others. I will pray for others. I will help carry the burdens that are too heavy for others to carry. I look to the interests of others above my own. Above all else, I will love others just like you loved me. I will give like you gave. I will serve like you served. I will go and do whatever you ask of me. I will be at your service every day of my life as I follow and serve you. That will be very good.

Lord, I have been proud. I have been argumentative. I have been self-centered. Forgive me. Help me to live a humble, tender hearted life in unity of thought and peaceful harmony with fellow believers. Help me to be kind, compassionate and loving toward others. Amen

Key Question… How is having a humble attitude helping you to live in peaceful harmony with others?

Living It Out… Live a humble tender hearted life of humble unity of thought and peaceful harmony with fellow believers.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will enable you to live in humble unity of thought and peaceful harmony with fellow believers.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are living in unity of thought and harmony with others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you have unity of mind and live in brotherly love with your fellow believers.

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

Be – 1 Peter 3-8 – Of One Mind – 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

You Are

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - If - Matthew 4:1-4 - You Are - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – Matthew 4:1-4 – You Are – Growing As Disciples

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV) 

On A Diet

What is your diet? What will feed and sustain you? What will feed your hunger and satisfy your thirst? There are a confusing number of different diet choices. It’s really hard to know what is a healthy or unhealthy diet. One day one diet is deemed as being a healthy choice. The next day or month or year that same diet is deemed to be very unhealthy. I have tried so many different diets. I’ve wanted to loose weight. I’ve wanted to gain muscle. I’ve wanted to lose fat. I’ve wanted to gain energy. I have no idea what diet will really sustain me. I’m not sure what diet will really feed my hunger and satisfy my thirst. There is one diet that is not usually being talked about. What diet is that?

How are you dieting on my word? I have never thought that the word “diet” and your word as something that goes together. When I think of dieting I’m usually thinking of eating less. When I think of dieting I’m usually thinking of something that I would put into my mouth. You can feed on my word. Yes, I know. You can feast on my word. You can never become too full of my word. There is nothing in my word that will ever be unhealthy for you. My word will feed and sustain you.

What will happen to you if you eat an unhealthy diet? If I eat an unhealthy diet I will get sick and become unhealthy. That is for sure. What will happen to you if you feast on a healthy diet of my word? Your word will feed my hunger. Your word will satisfy my thirst. Your word will mold and shape my life. Your word will guide and direct my path. Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will strengthen me and make me able to stand against evil that is in the world. Yes, it will. Your word will feed righteous and starve sinful desires within me. That’s right. Will you feast on a healthy diet of my word? Yes Lord, I will feast on a healthy diet of your word. That will be very good.

Lord, I will live on every word that comes from you. I will make it my daily practice to feast on your word. Thank you that you are changing my heart and transforming my mind by your word. Your word is making me able to stand against evil as I follow you. Amen

Key Question… What from God’s word has been helpful in making you able to stand against temptation?

Living It Out… Allow God to change your heart and transform your mind as you feast on daily diet of His word.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will sustain and strengthen you as you feast on a daily diet of His word.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are feasting on a daily diet of God’s word.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you live on God’s word so that you will be sustained, strengthened and made able to stand against evil.

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

If – Matthew 4-1-4 – You Are – 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

Imitators

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Be - 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitators - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Be – 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Imitators – Growing As Disciples

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)

Imitation

I have never thought of imitation as being a positive word. There are very few people that I thought were worthy of imitation. I certainly have never been worthy of imitation. I wouldn’t even want someone to imitate me. Why is that? I know that I am a flawed individual. I am a sinner. I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Examples of my sins are not long ago, from some distant past. I am currently a sinner. Isn’t your attitude and confession of your sins worthy of imitating? You are not trying to hide your sin. You are not falsely claiming that you are not a sinner. You are not proudly pretending to be something you are not. No, I am not doing that. Yes, being willing to admit and confess my sins to you is a worthy example to follow. Yes, it is.

You can probably guess where we are going to go with this conversation. Yes, I think I know where we are headed. Where is that? You are going to point out other behaviors and attitudes within me that are worthy of imitation. Yes, I am. You have turned away from your old life. You are allowing me to use my word to change your heart and transform your mind. You are putting on the new life that I have given you to live. Is this something others can imitate? Yes, it is. Let’s keep going. You have set apart a time and a place to meet with me in my word. You are allowing my word to dwell in you richly. You are meditating on my word day and night. You are hiding my word deeply in your heart and mind and life. Is this something others can imitate? Yes, it is. You are drawing near to me as I draw near to you. You are resisting the devil and he is fleeing from you. You are allowing my Holy Spirit to take my word and use it to fight in you, with you and for you. Are these things that are worthy of imitation? Yes, they are. It is your passionate desire to know me. You want to walk in my ways. You want to go wherever I guide you. You want to do whatever I ask of you. Are these desires worthy of imitation? Yes, they are. You want to become like me. You want to serve like I served. You want to give like I gave. You want to love like I loved. What do you have to say about this goal? It is worthy of imitation. Yes, it is. Finally, the most important thing you want to accomplish with your life is to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Are any life goals worthier of imitation than these? No, there are no life goals worthier of imitation than these. That’s right. Keep on living the life that I have given you to live and you will give others plenty to imitate. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I know that my life, on my own, is not worthy of imitation. Only as I draw near to you and imitate your life can I offer any kind of example that is worthy for others to follow. Use my life, help me to imitate you and be a worthy example others can follow. Amen

Key Question… Who have been role models in your life that have been worthy of your imitation?

Living It Out… Draw near to Jesus Christ so that others can imitate you imitating Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that as you draw near to the Lord you will be able to imitate Him.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how others have been able to imitate you imitating Jesus Christ.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you imitate Jesus Christ so that you can become like Him.

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

Be – 1 Corinthians 11-1 – Imitators – 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 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

Your Giving May Be In Secret

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - Matthew 6:3-4 - Your Giving May Be In Secret - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – Matthew 6:3-4 – Your Giving May Be In Secret – Growing As Disciples

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV)

I See

I see everything that you do. Nothing falls outside my notice. You don’t need to jump up and down or make a big show to secure my attention. I am watching over your life. You are my child. My hand is on you. I am guiding you to where I want you to go to do what I am asking you to do. I have a purpose and a plan for your life. Your future is in my hands. I have good works designed for you to do. How does all this sound to you? It sounds great. It will be my pleasure to do your will. I have great peace in knowing that you have designed ways for me to serve you. I want to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I will follow you to where you lead me. I will do all that you ask of me. That is very good.

I want you to remember that you are serving me. How could I forget? I’m not sure what point you are making. All that you do for others in this life you will be doing for me. Do you know why it is important for you to hold on to that thought? No, I’m not really sure. Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead. Has anyone ever asked too much of you? Has anyone ever asked you to give more than you wanted to give? Has anyone placed requests for your time, talent and resources that were beyond what you were willing to give? Have you ever had the overwhelming desire to be comfortable rather than inconvenienced? You know the answer to your questions. Yes, I have placed a limit on what I was willing to give. I don’t expect that you will say yes to every request that comes your way. I do expect that you will carefully consider if the request for help comes from me. Will you confer with me about every request for help that comes your way? Yes Lord, I will. Good, then you will know what I am asking you to do for me.  There is another very important point I want to make. What’s that? You are not working for applause and recognition from the world. Remember you are serving me. I will ask you to do many things quietly in ways that will go unnoticed. Don’t seek rewards and acknowledgement from the world. I will applaud all your efforts. I will see all that you have done for me. Your reward for all that you have done for me in this life will be given to you when you join me in heaven. Can you wait? I can hardly wait, but I will. It will be my pleasure to do whatever you ask of me. I will always remember that I am serving you. That will be very good. 

Heavenly Father, I don’t need to give to the needy so others can see my good deeds. I don’t need recognition from mankind. I want to serve you. That’s enough for me. Thank you, that one day you will reward me for doing what I have done in secret for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you watching and waiting for opportunities to secretly give to others in need?

Living It Out… Give secretly to the needy so that your Heavenly Father who sees in secret will one day reward you.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your Heavenly Father will reward you for the ways in which you have secretly given to the needy.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group why you do not need to give to the needy in ways that others can see.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you give secretly to those in need so that your Heavenly Father who sees in secret will one day reward you.

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

So That – Matthew 6-3-4 – Your Giving May Be In Secret – 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

Do Good To All People

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Therefore - Galatians 6:10 - Do Good To All People - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide- Therefore – Galatians 6:10 – Do Good To All People – Growing As Disciples

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Your Example

I want to do what you have done. I want to live like you lived. I want to give like you gave. I want to love like you loved. I want to follow your example.

How did I live? You lived your life for others. Your focus was not on yourself. You did not live to satisfy your every want and desire and pleasure. You lived your life with a sense of mission and purpose. You lived your life to fulfill the will of Him who sent you. You knew and did all that your Father asked of you. You lived your life fully for Him. You lived your life completely for others. Your life was a living sacrifice. Yes, It was. You lived your life as an act of worship. Yes, I did.

How did I give? You gave your life fully. You gave yourself freely. You gave yourself completely. You gave yourself unconditionally. Not one person has ever deserved your mercy. Not one person could ever earn your forgiveness. Not one person could ever be worthy of your love. That did not matter to you. No, it did not. You gave yourself to those who were your enemies. You gave yourself to those who mistreated you. You gave yourself to those who rejected you. You gave yourself to those who despised you. You gave your life to those who hurt you. You never stopped giving. You never stopped loving. No, I did not. You gave yourself continually so that you would be able to reap a rich harvest for your Father. Yes, I did.

What did I do? You did what was necessary. You did what was needed. You kept on doing all the good that was ever asked of you. It was your joy to do your Father’s will. It was your joy to lay your life down as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. You broke down the wall that divided me from you. You forgave all my sins. You cleansed all my unrighteousness. You made my slate clean. You gave me a second chance. You gave me a fresh start. You became my Savior and Lord. You loved me when I was unlovable. Yes, I did.

What will you do? I will do whatever you ask of me. I will go wherever you guide me. I will do all the good that you give me to do for others. I will pour myself out in your service. I will live my life with and for you. It will be my joy to serve you. It is my hope to bear a rich harvest for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is my dream. That is my desire. That is my prayer. That is very good. That is what I will do in and through you.

Lord, you have continually done good things for me. You loved me even when I was difficult to love. I have not deserved your love. Help me to love like you loved and give like you gave. Help me to do good things for others so I can reap a rich harvest for you. Amen

Key Question… How are you following Jesus Christ as your model of doing good things for all people?

Living It Out… Follow Jesus Christ as your role model of doing good things for others so you will be able to reap a rich harvest for Him.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will reap a rich harvest for God’s kingdom as you continually do good things for others.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making every effort to do good things for others.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you continually do good things for others so you will reap a rich harvest for God.

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

Therefore – Galatians 6-10 – Do Good To All People – 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