Introduction

• Hebrews 5:11-14 - Mature people get that way by practice.
• II Peter 3:18

Examining yourself

• Haggai 1:1-9 - Consider your ways!
• Psalms 119:59
• Lamentations 3:40
• Is it possible we could sit down once a week and examine ourselves?
• Matthew 7:1-5 - Do some self-evaluation first!
• II Corinthians 13:5
• How about making some self-evaluation cards?
  • Am I using my money for good? Luke 10:35
  • Have I been gossiping? Proverbs 26:20
  • When people see me, do they see the joy a Christian should have? Galatians 5:22
  • Do I encourage others to serve the Lord? Acts 11:23

Praying

• Praying in Acts
  • No one was “above” praying to God.
    • Acts 1:13-14; 6:4; 20:26
  • Prayers were actually heard by God.
    • Acts 10:4, 31; 12:5; 8:22
  • Prayer was a habit.
    • Acts 1:14; 2:42; 10:2, 30, 9; 12:5, 12; 16:25
• Suggestion: plan a special, focused prayer each day

• How to do this:
  • Make a list
  • Set a time
  • Use an app

Reading the Bible

• Hosea 4:1-6
• Psalms 119:105
• I strongly encourage every person to read the Bible at least on a weekly basis!
• Nothing will give you an overarching understaning of the Bible story like reading the Bible itself.
• Nothing will familiarize you with the Bible like reading it:
  • the words the Holy Spirit chose
  • the phrasing
  • the repitition of certain things
  • the details or lack of details in certain stories
  • the unfiltered descriptions of God, people, and sin
• How to do this
  • Choose a good translation
    • (I recommend: ESV, NASB, NKJV, etc.)
  • Designate a time.
  • Decide on a plan.
• Bible reading plans
  • The Classic: Just pick it up and read it.
    • 1,189 chapters (3.3 per day or about 23 per week)
  • Use a special daily reading Bible
  • The Story
    • Abridged Bible (imperfect summaries, footnotes)
    • Possibility: read full New Testament and The Story Old Testament
  • Use an app
    • YouVersion
    • Olive Tree
    • Word of Promise
    • Dwell
• Deuteronomy 17:18