Elements 1.3

Connection to God

Luke 19:1–10 KJV 1900

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Q1. How do you get to know a friend better?

Q2. What hinders your relationships with your friends?

We see in our story that God WANTS to be in our lives…

1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV 1900

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

This story of Zacchaeus is one that illustrates God’s desire to spend time with us...

Result of spending time with God?

Luke 19:8–10 KJV 1900

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

- Make things right

Not just apologizing but also making things right in the spirit!

Principle: See in physical = spiritual

Gods intention of that principle in action = WHAT WE CHANGE WE MAKE ON EARTH WILL AFFECT THE SPIRITUAL! (Mat. 16:18-19)

That is why it’s so important to just do right!

- Salvation

Q3. Why do you think Zacchaeus began confession his sins?

Q4. What are things that compel people to seek the Lord?

Q5. What are obstacles that hinder people from coming to Jesus?

Push past obstacles...

To short - climb a tree

To busy - put God first

Whatever your obstacle is, deal with it!

God responds to those who seek him.

Blind Bartimaeus

Woman with the issue of blood

Crippled man at the pool

Crippled man let down through the roof

How do you build a relationship with God?

Spend time with him!

1. DEVELOPING A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER (P27)

Prayer is our PRIMARY means of COMMUNICATION with Jesus. As we embrace the opportunity to connect with Jesus, He meets us and responds to our time of speaking and listening to Him. He gave os a model for prayer to use as a starting point.

Matthew 6:5–13 KJV 1900

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

What should be our position and approach to prayer? (v 5-7)

How do we know if is vain repetitions?

Can you pray it and it not affect you?

2. How should we begin our time of prayer? (v 9-10)

Praise and worship

Prayer clock - posted link on TLC: In The Know

3. What are some things we should ask for during our time of prayer? (v 11-13)

4. How can we make our prayer time more meaningful?

Eliminate distractions

Set a timer so you don’t constantly look at your watch

Prayer notebook

SET A TIME

DAILY

Don’t just talk, listen as well

Take your time with it

Be submissive to God

Repent

Prayer to apostolics is what books are to scholars...

…jet fuel is to planes...

…oxygen is to humanity.

Prayer will become more than just talking to God, giving him your list...

2. SPENDING TIME IN GOD’S WORD (p28)

God communicates to us through His WORD. For this reason, we should read the BIBLE with anticipation of hearing from GOd. When fully nourished by the Word, we stand a strong in times of TEMPTATION and will find ourselves on a pathway of spritual growth.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

James 1:21–25 KJV 1900

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

What are some of the purposes God intended for Scripture? (2 T3:16)

How does the scripture help us as disciples of Jesus Christ? (2T3:17)

How should we receive the Word of God? (J1.:21)

What is promised to doers of the Word of God? (J1:25)

The Word of God acts as a mirror to show us who we are.

3. MEDITATING DAILY ON GOD AND HIS WORD. (p29)

The Biblical teaching of MEDITATION is not practiced much in our fast-paced society, but its benefits are significant. The people of the Old Testament incorporated meditation daily - scripture was as close to their hearts as the air they breathed. When we focus on SCRIPTURE, we focus on God Himself. The end result is a NEARNESS to God and a reprieve from this chaotic and fast-paced society.

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 1:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

What is the main purpose and benefit of meditation of God’s Word? (J1.8)

In contrast to the ungodly, what does that believer delight in? (Ps1.2)

Scripture compares those meditating on God’s Word to what? Why? (Ps1.3)

What obstacles might keep us from daily meditating on God’s Word, and how can we overcome them?

How to meditate Biblically?

Create a time:

Time to think about what you’ve read.

Time to think about how to apply it to your life.

Time to formulate plan on application.

Time to journal about it.

4. CULTIVATING A COMMITMENT TO WORSHIP. (P31)

Our relationship with God is characterized by our devotion, or WORSHIP, to Him. Every part of our lives should reflect how He has transformed us and should give honor to Him. We demonstrate this worship in our words to Him, in our decisions, and in our conduct.

Ephesians 4:21–22 KJV 1900

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 5:15–20 KJV 1900

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1. If we have believed on Jesus, what should we do away with? (E4.21-22)

2. What should we do instead? (E 4:23-24)

3. How can we walk wisely and understand the will of the Lord? (E 5:19-20)

4. What are some practical things we can do to walk in this way? (E 5:19-20)

Worship has been relegated to music style or a segment of a service…

When it should be a lifestyle!

Principle: Our worship should be in direct proportion to the change He has affected in our lives!

CONCLUSION: (p34)

What are four spiritual disciplines we covered? How do they correlate?

Overcoming obstacles

Prayer

Word

Worship

PLA

accountability

What other spiritual disciplines do you already practice?

Next session: Acts 6:1.7