In Strict Training

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 - In Strict Training- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – In Strict Training- Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV) 

Run

I have laid out a course for you. You are in a race. The race is called life. I want you to run well. I want you to run in such a way so that you will win the prize that I have in heaven for you. What must I do to run well? How will I be able to run in such a way as to win the prize that you have in heaven for me? You must follow me. You must keep your eyes on me. You must avoid the obstacles in life that will hinder you from running well. You must keep the focus of your heart and mind and life on me. I will train you. I will guide you. I will lead you through life. Will you enter in to strict training as you run the race that I have laid out for you?  Yes Lord, I will. That’s very good. 

I do have questions. Go ahead. Ask me, I’m listening. What does going into strict training look like? What will be a part of my strict training as I follow you? You tell me. You think I know the answers to my questions? Yes, I do. I’m sure that meeting with you in your word daily will be a part of my training. Developing an intimate prayer filled life with you will be another part of my training. You’re on the right track. Keep going. I’m sure that you have no intention for me to run my race all alone by myself. No, I do not. Living in close fellowship with other believers will spur me on as I run the race that you have laid out for me. Yes, it will. So, a part of my regular training will include joining together with other believers to worship you. That’s right. I’m guessing that you would also like me to be a part of a small group that will encourage me to keep on running. Good guess. There is more. I know that you have a purpose and plan for my life. Yes, I do. You have good works prepared in advance for me to do. Yes, I do. Doing the work that you have given me to do for you will be a part of my race. Yes, it will. You have answered your questions well. Will you go into this strict training? Will you run your race with me? Will you run in such a way as to win the prize I have in heaven for you? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I will go into strict training so I will be able to compete. I want to be able to run in such a way as to get the prize that you have waiting in heaven for me. I want a crown from you that will last forever. Help me to live my life fully and completely for you. Amen

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

Identity – 1 Corinthians 9-24-25 – In Strict Training – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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

Not Running Aimlessly

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Not Running Aimlessly - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Not Running Aimlessly – Growing As Disciples

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Olympic Effort

Your life of faith is like a race. Do you want to run well as you follow me? Are you running your race of faith with a desire to win? Yes, I want to run well as I follow you. Yes, I am running to win. I don’t want anything to distract me. I won’t look left or right or behind me. My eyes will look straight forward as I follow you. I know that you will help me to run the race of faith. I know that you will make me able to win the race of faith. Yes, I will.

What might distract you on your race of faith? What might hinder you from running well? Things that are of this world might hinder me from running well. Like what? The lust of the flesh might hinder me from running well. I will need to make sure that lustful and fleshly desires don’t pull me off course and prevent me from running well. I will need to separate myself from any situations and circumstance that might powerfully tempt me. That’s true. What else? The lust of the eyes might hinder me from running well. I will need to be very careful about what I allow my eyes to see. Many times I have wanted what I couldn’t have or certainly didn’t need. I will need to stop looking at whatever might allure and entice to want what I don’t have and don’t need. That’s right. What else? The pride of life might hinder me from running well. I will need to be very careful that I am not attracted and drawn to prideful things in life. Like what? I have been tempted by power and prestige. I have wanted to be someone that does great things. These desires can lead me down the wrong path and take me off of the course you have laid out for me. Yes, they can. You will do well to be on guard against any of these evils. You are right. They do have the potential to hinder you from running and finishing well in the race of faith.

How are you in training as you follow me? Are you giving an Olympic effort in your training as you follow and serve me? I’m not sure. I do know that I am fully available to whatever training you have in mind for me. I will go anywhere you guide me. I will do anything you ask of me. I am meeting with you daily in your word. I know that you are teaching and training me. If you have more in mind I will welcome it with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am at your service. I am running hard in my life of faith as I follow you. Yes, you are running hard and well. I do have more in mind for you. Follow me. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I have entered the race. I love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. You are my Savior and Lord. I am in training as I follow and serve you. Let nothing distract me from running well. Let nothing disqualify me from receiving the prize. Amen

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

Therefore – 1 Corinthians 9-24-27 – Not Running Aimlessly – 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