Week 5: Study & Pray

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV)

“A Bible that is falling apart is usually owned by someone who isn’t.” - Uknown

Why is reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis an important discipline?

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11 NKJV)

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NKJV)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (1 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)

Praying The Word

Point #1: Choose a Quiet Space and Time
Mark 1:35: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Point #2: Begin With Adoration
Psalm 95:6: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
Psalm 29:2: “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

Point #3: Select A Scripture to Pray Over
2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Point #4: Read The Scripture Aloud
Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Isaiah 55:11: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Point #5: Personalize the Scripture
Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Point #6: Use the ACTS Model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Daniel 9:4-19: (This is a lengthy prayer that includes all elements of ACTS.)

Point #7: Meditate On The Word
Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Point #8: Apply it to Specific Life Scenarios
James 1:22-25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Luke 11:28: “But He said, ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”

Point #9: Pray The Scriptures Over Others
Ephesians 6:18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
1 Timothy 2:1: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.”

Point #10: End in Praise & Trust
Psalm 28:7: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”