Steps for Personal and Family Revival

Steps for Personal and Family Revival

1. Pray the prayer of the psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24).

2. Be totally honest as you answer each question.

3. Agree with God about each need He reveals in your life. Confess each sin, with the willingness to make it right and forsake it.

4. Praise God for His cleansing and forgiveness.

5. Renew your mind and rebuild your life through meditation and practical application of the Word of God.

6. Review these questions periodically to remain sensitive to your need for ongoing revival.

Genuine Salvation (II Corinthians 5:17)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. Was there ever a time in my life that I genuinely repented of my sin? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Was there ever a time in my life that I placed all my trust in Jesus Christ alone to save me? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Was there ever a time in my life that I completely surrendered to Jesus Christ as the Master and Lord of my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Is Christ lived out in my home and have I physically confessed Him Lord at home. Yes ˜ No ˜

God’s Word (Psalm 119:97; 119:140)

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:97 (KJV)

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalms 119:140 (KJV)

1. Do I love to read and meditate on the Word of God? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Are my personal devotions consistent and meaningful? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Do I practically apply God’s Word to my everyday life? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Do we as a family discuss God’s Word often? Yes ˜ No ˜

Humility (Isaiah 57:15)

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

Isaiah 57:17 (KJV)

1. Am I quick to recognize and agree with God in confession when I have sinned? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Am I quick to admit to others when I am wrong? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Do I rejoice when others are praised and recognized and my accomplishments go unnoticed by men? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Do I esteem all others as better than myself? Yes ˜ No ˜

5. Do I rejoice when others in my family succeed? Yes ˜ No ˜

Obedience (Hebrews 13:17; I Samuel 15:22)

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Heb 13:17 (KJV)

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Sam 15:22 (KJV)

1. Do I consistently obey what I know God wants me to do? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Do I consistently obey the human authorities God has placed over my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Do I consistently obey and honor my parents? Yes ˜ No ˜

Pure Heart (I John 1:9)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (KJV)

1. Do I confess my sin by name? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Do I keep “short sin accounts” with God (confess and forsake as He convicts)? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Am I willing to give up all sin for God? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Do I repent and confess my sins to others in my family? Yes ˜ No ˜

Clear Conscience (Acts 24:16)

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Acts 24:16 (KJV)

1. Do I consistently seek forgiveness from those I wrong or offend? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Is my conscience clear with every man? (Can I honestly say, “There is no one I have ever wronged or offended in any way and not gone back to them and sought their forgiveness and made it right”?) Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Is my relationship right with each family member? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Do I go to bed at night with unresolved conflict with others in the family? Yes ˜ No ˜

Priorities (Matthew 6:33)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matt 6:33 (KJV)

1. Does my schedule reveal that God is first in my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Does my checkbook reveal that God is first in my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Next to my relationship with God, is my relationship with my family my highest priority? Yes ˜ No ˜

Values (Colossians 3:12)

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:12 (KJV)

1. Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Do I value highly the things that please God (e.g., giving, witnessing to lost souls, studying His Word, prayer)? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Are my affections and goals fixed on eternal values? Yes ˜ No ˜

4. Are Biblical values reflected in my selection of music and T.V./movies? Yes ˜ No ˜

Sacrifice (Philippians 3:7,8)

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Phil 3:7-8 (KJV)

1. Am I willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to see God move in my life and church (time, convenience, comfort, reputation, pleasure, etc.)? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Is my life characterized by genuine sacrifice for the cause of Christ? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Do I have a servant’s heart at home? Yes ˜ No ˜

Spirit-Control (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:18-21)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 5:22-25 (KJV)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Eph 5:18-21 (KJV)

1. Am I allowing Jesus to be Lord of every area of my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to “fill” (control) my life each day? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Is there consistent evidence of the “fruit of the Spirit” being produced in my life? Yes ˜ No ˜

“First Love” (Philippians 1:21,23)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phil 1:21 (KJV)

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Phil 1:23 (KJV)

1. Am I as much in love with Jesus as I have ever been? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Am I thrilled with Jesus; filled with His joy and peace, and making Him the continual object of my love? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. How would others in my family view my love toward God on a scale of 1-10

Motives (Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29 (KJV)

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt 10:28 (KJV)

1. Am I more concerned about what God thinks about my life than about what others think? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Would I pray, read my Bible, give and serve as much if nobody but God ever noticed? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Am I more concerned about pleasing God than I am about being accepted and appreciated by men? Yes ˜ No ˜

Moral Purity (Ephesians 5:3,4)

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Eph 5:3-4 (KJV)

1. Do I keep my mind free from books, magazines, or entertainment that could stimulate fantasizing thoughts that are not morally pure? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Are my conversation and behavior pure and above reproach? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Do mom and dad approve of my friendships? Yes ˜ No ˜

Forgiveness (Colossians 3:12Colossians 3:12,13)

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:12-13 (KJV)

1. Do I seek to resolve conflicts in relationships as soon as possible? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Am I quick to forgive those who hurt or wrong me? Yes ˜ No ˜

Sensitivity (Matthew 5:23Matthew 5:23,24)

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matt 5:23-24 (KJV)

1. Am I sensitive to the conviction and promptings of God’s Spirit? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Am I quick to respond in humility and obedience to the conviction and promptings of God’s Spirit? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. Am I sensitive to my parent’s desires? Yes ˜ No ˜

Evangelism (Romans 9:3; Luke 24:46,48)

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Romans 9:3 (KJV)

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:46-48 (KJV)

1. Do I have a burden for lost souls? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Do I consistently witness for Christ? Yes ˜ No ˜

Prayer (I Timothy 2:1)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1 Tim 2:1 (KJV)

1. Am I faithful in praying for the needs of others? Yes ˜ No ˜

2. Do I pray specifically, fervently and faithfully for revival in my life, my church and our nation? Yes ˜ No ˜

3. How much time do we spend as a family in prayer? Yes ˜ No ˜