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THE WORD EQUIPS US

READ

“17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

-2 Timothy 3:17

 “11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”                                                                                                    – Ephesians 4:11-13

THINK

Paul tells us multiple places that the Word of God equips us, that is it gives us the tools necessary to live like Christ. What are some ways that your life is different than Jesus’?

To get a good picture of equipping think of football. In order to play the game successfully you have to have the right equipment; a helmet, pads, a ball. Without the tools required to play you cannot succeed at football. Likewise without the Word of God you cannot succeed in knowing God and or sharing God. What are some examples you can think of for where the Bible equips? What are the benefits of being equipped?

The Ephesians passage tells us that Jesus “gave the apostles, the prophets”… etc. “to equip his people for works of service” this is describing areas of Christian leadership and how they may aid in the equipping of followers of Christ. Knowing that the Word of God must be central in equipping Christians what must these leaders be centered on in their instruction and leadership? That being the case what becomes in important in who and what we allow to teach us? How do you protect yourself from those who do not hold the Bible as central and important?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray

Pray that God will give you a desire to become an equipped follower of Christ

Pray that God will help you devote yourself to the Word of God so that you may become equipped and be able to equip others

DO

Knowing that we need to be equipped by the Word and then aid in the equipping of other believers, find a Christian friend and talk to them about the importance of being equipped by the Word of God.

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THE WORD TRANSFORMS US

READ

“16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”                                   -2 Timothy 3:16-17

“2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”                  -Romans 12:2

THINK

We see that Paul is telling Timothy of the many things that the Word of God will do (2 Tim. 3:16), and training in righteousness is a phrase that may not make immediate sense to us. What do you believe that it means?

Matt mentions that “God’s Word is not just given to us for information. It’s given us for transformation.” How does this kind of transformation take place in our lives?

Paul warns the church at Rome (Romans 12:2) against becoming like “the pattern of this world, “ and then tells them to be transformed by the renewing of your mind” How can you renew your mind? If we begin to gain the mind of Jesus how will that transform our lives?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Pray that you can renew your mind today to become more like Christ

Pray that you will devote yourself to the Word of God so that it will begin to transform you into the image of God

DO

Renewing your mind starts with letting go of the things that consume us in this world. Spend a few moments sitting with your hands closed in front of you, and as you sit there imagine putting all your stress, and hurts, and even goals and desires into your closed hands. Then talk with God and ask Him to help you let go of these things and begin to renew your mind and focus on Him then open them and imagine God taking all of that from you.

Begin to memorize Philippians 4:8 so that you can bring that to your mind when you are tempted to or find yourself picking those worldly things back up.

“8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” –Philippians 4:8

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THE WORD SAVES US

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”8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."   -Romans 10:8-13

THINK

We see that Paul says in verse 11, “As Scripture says” we see that our very knowledge of salvation comes from the Word of God. Why do you think we don’t devote ourselves to the Word when such a life changing truth was found in it?

Where did your salvation knowledge originate? Was it at church at home? Have you thought about where did they get their information?

Have you ever desired to know more about something? Have you ever dug in and really researched something you were passionate about? If you were to seek after God in this way and dig through His word, what might be the result in your life?

PRAY

These thoughts and prayers are just a guide to get you started in your conversation with God. Think of them as conversation starters rather than a check list to quickly pray.

Give thanks to the Lord for His salvation, and pray Psalm 96 to the Lord today

Pray that the truth of salvation would not be the end all of our searching the word, but rather a jumping off point into seeking deeper truth

DO

Time to jump out there; tell someone about the Lord’s salvation today.

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