Yesterday morning we began our Prayer and Word week at Victory. We’re focusing on the two core spiritual habits that help Christians grow as disciples-prayer and the intake of God’s Word. If you want an additional perspective, check out Pastor Rod Thorn on The Secret to a Better Prayer Life, or Don Whitney on the choice to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.
+ I mentioned New Year’s resolutions and the need to make resolutions to help you take the next step as a disciple of Jesus. Check out this thoughtful article on How To Make New Year’s Resolutions.
+ Then, if you didn’t get a copy of “My i4 Disciple Pursuits for 2008″, walk through the following…
My i4 Disciple Pursuits for 2008
Our mission is to lead all people to know and treasure Jesus above all things by encouraging and equipping disciples who joyfully pursue…
intimacy with God
+ When and where will I keep a daily appointment with God?
+ How will I deepen and broaden my prayer life?
+ What is my plan for reading the Bible?
(check out http://hippocampusextensions.com/mcheyneplan.html
and http://www.navpress.com/Magazines/DJ/BibleReadingPlans.asp )
+ How will I engage more passionately in corporate worship? Do I need to
be more faithful in worship attendance on the Lord’s Day?
+ How will I record (a journal?) and respond to God’s promptings
to my heart?
+ What else is the Father saying to me in this area?
interaction with believers
+ How will I express love to others in the Victory family by my speech,
actions and attitude?
+ In what specific ways can I help our church family remain unified?
+ Have I become actively involved with a Sunday morning Life Group?
When will I start?
+ What Christian friendships do I need to pursue for encouragement and
accountability in my walk with Jesus?
+ How will I serve others in the Victory faith-family?
+ How can I more enthusiastically and practically express my commitment
to the people and mission of Victory Baptist Church?
+ Which person(s) in our church will I get to know better? How?
+ What else is the Father saying to me in this area?
imitation of Jesus
+ What Biblical doctrine or teaching do I need to study for better
understanding?
+ What verses of Scripture do I need to memorize and “hide in my heart’?
+ Which fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-20) needs to be more consistently
evident in my life?
+ What attitude, belief or opinion that I hold needs to be examined in light
of God’s Word?
+ Which non-fiction Christian books will I read?
+ What pattern of behavior needs to be adjusted so that it is more like
Jesus?
+ What else is the Father saying to me in this area?
influence in your world
+ In what specific ways will I be more evidently Christian at home, work
or school?
+ How can I influence my closest neighbors towards Christ?
+ Which far-from-God friends will I pray for and seek to share the good
news of Jesus with?
+ Which Victory Baptist ministry will I serve with my gifts and talents?
+ In what way will I be involved in serving the Kingdom outside our
church, especially among the poor and needy?
+ Do I need to prepare to be part of a Victory mission trip?
+ How will I take the next step in the Jesus-treasuring stewardship of my
financial resources?
+ What does the Lord want me to do about faithfully giving tithes and
offerings to support the VBC mission and ministry budget?
+ How do I need to pray, become more informed or involved with
spreading the gospel among unreached peoples of the world?
+ What else is the Father saying to me in this area?
Happy New Year!
Ps– shameless pat on the back: Ponder Anew was named to Internet Monk’s Top 10 Favorite Blogs of 2007. Thanks, I-Monk!!
[...] David Head has some good discipleship pursuits for the New Year. Posted by: Michael Spencer @ 1:12 pm | Trackback | Permalink [...]
By: The Boar’s Head Tavern » on December 31, 2007
at 2:18 pm
Thanks for linking to our blog. I’m glad you found the article helpful. Have a great new year!
By: Stephen Altrogge on January 1, 2008
at 10:19 am