KYS-WK-4 Steps To Running With God

Scripture Anchor

2 Samuel 11:1 — “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war… but David remained in Jerusalem.”

We step out of our season when pride outgrows humility, when comfort replaces calling, or when restlessness outruns God’s rhythm. David’s fall didn’t begin with Bathsheba—it began when he stopped running with the plan.

1. We Step Out of Our Season When…

Our season feels too small for our ego — pride makes us despise humble seasons.

We become complacent — comfort creates the perfect climate for compromise.

Our angst outpaces our season — restlessness tempts us to act before God’s timing.

Dangers:

Moral failure (David) 2 Samuel 11:1-5

Financial compromise (Gehazi) 2 Kings 5:20–27

Being humbled by God (Joseph) Genesis 37:18-36

Loss of vision (Moses) Numbers 20:7–12

Every time a leader leaves their lane, something sacred is lost—integrity, credibility, or destiny.

Running in Season

Philippians 3:8–14 NASB95

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul lived a life in rhythm with God’s plan. He said:

“I do not consider that I have obtained it… but I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul understood what it meant to “not yet have obtained it,” yet kept reaching toward what lay ahead—union with Christ and heavenly citizenship (vv. 20–21).

His pursuit wasn’t for God, rather it was with God.

Romans 8:28 reminds us: “God works all things together for good.” Too often we flip it—“I work all things for God.” And if we’re not careful, we can end up working for God but against His will.

Steps to Running With God’s Plan

1. Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:6 NASB95

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Joy is the fuel that keeps believers steady through various seasons. When joy fades, striving begins. So, this means that we must understand that joy and happiness are not the same. Happiness is an emotion where joy is choice. I choose to rejoice in the Lord even though my emotions and circumstances say to do otherwise, because in every season my God is present, working and leading. So we must ask ourselves; Am I rooted in Christ or in my circumstances?

2. Know the Lord

Philippians 3:10 NASB95

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Paul’s greatest pursuit wasn’t platform or success—it was knowing Christ deeply. For the believer, intimacy with God is the compass that keeps us in alignment when seasons shift.

Steps To Knowing God

1. Through Studying the Word

God reveals His nature, His will, and His ways through Scripture. Our church offers over 30,000 Bible study resources at no cost through RightNow Media — there is no shortage of access, only a call to engagement.

Psalm 119:105 NASB95

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

2. Through Listening for God’s Voice and Journaling

Writing slows the soul enough to hear clearly. Journaling helps us:

process what God is saying

recognize patterns in His leading

remember what we might otherwise forget

Habakkuk 2:2 NASB95

2 Then the Lord answered me and said, “Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.

3. By Paying Attention to God’s Work in Our Current Season

God often reveals Himself through how He leads us, not just what He tells us. Reflection turns experience into revelation. Mary models this posture:

Luke 2:19 NASB95

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

4. Through the Preached Word and Community

God speaks through preaching, but clarity often comes through conversation.

Listen actively.

Take notes.

Discuss in life groups.

Romans 10:17 NASB95

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

5. Through Prayer and Time in God’s Presence

Prayer is not just talking to God — it’s being with Him. Jesus modeled unhurried, intentional prayer as the source of spiritual alignment.

Mark 1:35 NASB95

35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

6. Through Obedience

We often want more revelation when God is asking for more obedience. Understanding follows surrender.

John 7:17 NASB95

17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

7. Through Suffering and Testing

Paul didn’t separate knowing Christ from sharing in His sufferings. Pain doesn’t disqualify intimacy — it often deepens it.

Romans 5:3–4 NASB95

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

8. Through Worship

Worship realigns our perspective and reminds us who God is. It lifts our eyes above the season we’re in. Listen to How the Psalmist correlates a posture of worship to realizing the works of God.

Psalm 121:1–2 NASB95

1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

9. Through Serving Others

We encounter Jesus when we serve people. Ministry is often the classroom where God teaches us who He is.

Matthew 25:40 NASB95

40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

10. Through Walking Faithfully Over Time

Depth with God is not built in moments — it’s formed through consistency. Long obedience shapes long intimacy. We don’t drift into knowing God deeply — we walk with Him intentionally.

2 Peter 3:18 NASB95

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

3. Fear the Lord

Acts 16:6 NASB95

6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Reverence keeps us responsive. The fear of the Lord guards direction and purity. When we fear God rightly, we move when He says move and stop when He says stop.

4. Empower Others

Philippians 4:17 NASB95

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

Mature believers multiply others. They measure their own success by who grows around them, not how much they do alone. This thought should cause us to stop and ponder who am I currently empowering, developing, or making room for to succeed? One of the greatest ways you can empower others around you is through the Purple Book. Every week when someone gives their life to Jesus - we reach out and partner that person with a one-on-one mentor who takes them through the Purple Book - a systematic approach to learning more about God. And we want you to do this!

Matthew 28:19 NASB95

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

This is every believers responsibility.

5. Focus on Your Opportunities, Not the Faults

Philippians 4:13 NASB95

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul could have fixated on imprisonment, but instead he wrote epistles that shaped the church for centuries. Your strength is in Jesus, not for Jesus.

Remember you don’t sustain His mission; He sustains you. So right now we need to ask: Am I focused on what’s wrong, or on what God is still making possible through this season?

6. Be With Jesus

Mark 3:14 NASB95

14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

Ministry begins with proximity, not productivity. The call is not first to serve but to abide.

Luke 10:41–42 NASB95

41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

IVP = Intimacy, Value, Purpose

At the center where these three things align - this is where we can rest in Him.

Closing Charge

Paul didn’t just run hard—he ran in season. He rejoiced when waiting, pressed on when weary, and kept his eyes on the One who called him.

This week:

Identify areas where you may be striving for God rather than walking with God.

Choose to rejoice in the lane He’s assigned you.

Remember: the plan of God is not accomplished by human pressure, but by spiritual partnership.