Reviving our Faith

Spending Time alone with God

Exodus 33:7-11
Paul J. Bucknell

Note: 'Seminary Exercises and Discussion Questions' on Spiritual Devotions is the last of five sections that compose this one longer article on Reviving Our Faith through God's Word which provides a number of exercises and discussion questions on how we can improve our devotional times (Quiet Times) with God. The purpose of this larger series, Renewing Our Lives and Ministries Through God's Word, is to revive your spiritual life and ministry through improving the quality of your personal devotional times. (Click to see this series' full 3-day ADT schedule.)

Spiritual Struggles | Spiritual Needs | Exciting Times | Faith & Desperation | Exercises

Seminar Exercises & Discussion Questions

We see that the faith that God can and will speak work right along with our need. We need God’s grace. Faith is the belief that He can lead and help me by His Word. We, of course, do not know what we need for each day. We need to trust the Lord for that. But we do know where to go for that truth. We go to Him in His Word in a regular and expectant manner. He will slowly begin to teach us and transform us into Christ’s image.
Training Exercises
Below are are few exercises to train you in being aware of your needs and faith when you read God’s Word. Even now, you might not think you need God to speak to you. Or you might not think God can use these passages to speak to you. You are already hardened and need to use prayers like the one above. Those who often handle God’s Word can fall into the trap of studying without Him. May God call His people to return to Himself. We have used three short passages. Follow the directions and make sure you have properly prepared your heart.
Seminar Exercise
 
Have a quiet time with the Lord in His Word.
1) Hope: Tell Him what you want from this time together.
2) Read: Quickly pick a passage and carefully read. (We have selected a few passages for you but any will really do).
3) Listen: Think about your need for Him to teach you. Welcome Him to teach you.
4) Identify: Clearly identify and summarize at least one item.
Did He say anything to you?
How should it impact your life?
Will you obey by making the required changes?
 
Numbers 20:2-3
“And there was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!” Numbers 20:2, 3, NASB.
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 119:169-170
“Let my cry come before Thee, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Thy word. Let my supplication come before Thee; Deliver me according to Thy word.” Psalms 119:169, 170,.
 
 
 
 
 
Philippians 3:13-14
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14).
 
 
Group Reflections On Reviving Your Faith
 
 
The quality of our devotional times is primarily dependent on two factors:
(1) Firm belief that God will speak to us each day in our devotional times.
(2) God will, during our meeting with Him begin to give us what we need to live out our day for His glory.
Five Points for Reflection
#1) Reflect on how meaningful one’s devotional life has been like since you followed Jesus? Graph the last month (Quality: higher is better).
 
#2) Identify what makes for a poor devotional time? Why do you do those things which bring about inferior quiet times? What makes for meaningful devotional times?
 
#3) What was your relationship with your earthly father like? Did you have significant conversations? How has this possibly shaped or influenced your relationship with your Heavenly Father?
 
#4) Can one always have good devotional times? If so, how can we always make it good and special.
 
#5) Share with your group one or two significant things you have learned from one of the Bible passages.


Revive Your Faith | Deepening Our Reflections | Tracing Our Life's Journey | Pursuing Our God 

The Heart of Discipleship (Isaiah 50:4) | The Heart of Discipleship ( Isaiah 50:5-9)

Exodus: Overview Christ in Exodus 3 Whys in Exodus

Titus: Overview Pastoral Overview Called into His Service (Titus 1:1-4) Church Planting (Titus 1:5-9)

  
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Biblical Foundations for Freedom


By Paul J. Bucknell


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