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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PURSUE GOD WITH PASSION

READ

Philippians 3:7-11

“7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith int Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

THINK

How is just “accepting Christ” different from the passion pursuit that Paul talks about here?

Paul says that, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” which means that in comparison to knowing Jesus everything this world has to offer is insignificant. How is our worldly view of life and accomplishments different from this perspective? How would this type of perspective change how you go about your day?

Paul says “and “so somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” other translations have “by any means" he's telling us that the difficult things (ie. Persecution, being unpopular, even death) will be worth it, in light of the goal of sharing knowing Christ deeply and sharing in His resurrection. How is that contrary to our American Christianity and the thought that only church attendance and “good living” is required for Christians? Does the thought of giving everything up to chase God scare you or excite you? Why?

The Greek word for garbage or rubbish had one of two uses: excrement from the body, or table scraps that were fit only to be thrown to the dogs. So saying that “I consider them (his abilities/accomplishments) garbage” is strong wording. Literally, Paul considers them as excrement - as dung; not only worthless, but offensive. In order to have this type of distaste for the world you must be passionately seeking God. You have to have been close enough to see Him for the things of this word to look as garbage and be offensive to you because they stand in your way of knowing Him more. What is your image of God today? Do you hunger for Him or is He just some part of your life? How can that change?

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.

Has you separated faith in God from a passionate pursuit of God? Is He just part of your religion or Lord of your life? When we see the King we want to know Him deeper.

Pray that your heart will be ignited and begin to burn with passion for the King of kings

Are there things in your life that you are placing as more valuable than a pursuit of God? A good way to evaluate that is what is the majority of your time spent doing?

Pray that a passionate pursuit of God would become the main priority of your life

DO

Stop right now and grab something to write with and write down an honest assessment of what you're doing with your time. See what things jump out as obvious priorities, and which ones are causing you to seek God deeper.

Download the guide here