For the next few weeks, we will be talking about Growth: what it looks like to continue to take steps forward in our journey of faith.
Just like any hike, the purpose of faith is not to stand still, but to continue forward following the steps that Jesus lays out before us.
Week Five
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Day One
PRAY: Spend 10 minutes working through a Prayer of Examen. Talk to God about the following questions, consider writing the answers down in your journal:
What are you thankful for today?
Where did you feel near to God today?
Where did you feel distant from Him?
What were your emotions like throughout the week’s events
Close your prayer by asking Jesus to open your heart more to His presence.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What was that Prayer of Examen like for you?
How might you grow in faith through praying like that more often?
REFLECT: Using exercises like Prayer of Examen, we can start to see where we stand in relation to God.
Once we know where we are in that relationship, we can begin to start to use the resources that He gives us to grow closer to Him every day.
In the same way that we should pack a map, compass and water for a long hike, God tells us to engage with other “tools” of faith in order to travel well in our journey of faith.
ENGAGE: Spend a few moments watching the “Growing Together” confirmation video.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What were the main ideas from the video? What stuck out to you?
Have you been able to see your faith grow over the last months, years? How so?
Why is it important that we always strive to continue growing in our faith?
What are good ways to grow faith? Make a list for yourself.
PRAY: Spend time asking God to help you focus on growing closer in relationship to Him.
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Day Two
PRAY: Open a conversation with God, talking to Him about how you are feeling as you begin this time today.
READ: In your Bible, or below, read Ephesians 6:13–18.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the
readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What stands out to you from that passage? What confuses you?
What purpose does the armor of God play in our faith journey?
Which piece of the armor do you feel like you are most familiar with?
Which piece of the armor do you feel like you need the most right now?
What would your life and faith look like if you focused on putting on the “full armor of God” every day?
PRAY: Spend a few moments talking to God about how you can focus on growing your faith and put on the full armor of God every day
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Day Three
PRAY: Spend a few moments in silence, centering yourself on God's presence with you today!
READ: In your Bible, or below, read John 1:1–5.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without
Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome it.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What stands out to you from this passage? What confuses you?
What do you think this passage is describing?
How do you feel knowing that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it”?
Where have you seen evidence that the light shines in the darkness?
How can you come alongside God and help shine His light in darkness?
REFLECT: John is writing to explain that God is inseparable from His Word—Jesus’ actions and teachings are inseparable from His identity.
Therefore, the Scripture we are reading has divine authority in guiding us toward Christ.
PRAY: Close your time with God asking Him to help you grow in trust for Him and His Word, the Bible.
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Day Four
PRAY: Talk to God, asking Him to speak to you through Scripture today, and for Him to lead you through your day.
READ: In your Bible, or below, read 2 Timothy 3:16–17.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting,
and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What do you think this passage is telling us?
What might “God-Breathed” mean?
How could Scripture be useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, or training in righteousness?
ENGAGE: Spend some time watching the “5 Things the Bible Is (and Isn't)” video from Jon Jorgenson.
WRITE: In your journal, respond to the prompts below.
What is something you learned from the video? What questions did it answer for you?
How does today’s devo help you see Scripture differently than before?
PRAY: Spend a few moments sharing with God what you have learned today, and where you still have questions.
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Day Five, Six & Seven
PRAY: Ask God to help give you the strength and perseverance to dive into His Word more regularly in your life.
REFLECT: The Bible is the direct Word of God — a map for our faith journey with the ability to show us how to live as followers of Christ. If we do not regularly spend time in God’s Word, our natural and human nature will pull us down the wrong paths ultimately leading us further from God. When we are truly letting His Word shape and direct our lives, we can walk confidently through joyous and difficult times knowing that we are following Jesus’ direction.
WRITE: In your journals, respond to the prompts below.
How is God's Word a part of your routine currently?
What excites you about Scripture? What confuses you? What hesitations do you have toward it?
What are a few ways that you can spend more time in Scripture?
Who are some people that might be able to encourage you or walk through Scripture with you?
READ + PRAY: In your Bible, or below, read Psalm 23. Use it as your closing prayer for your devotion time today.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
