Devotional Life and Prayer

(Newcomers’ Class:  Devotional Life & Prayer)

Theme – Having an intentional time of devotion and prayer helps us to live in the new life that Jesus has given to us.

Law:  Having an intentional time of devotion and prayer does not earn us favor from God

Gospel:  The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word, the Bible, to create faith where it does not yet exist, and to strengthen the faith that we already have, so that we might indeed live the abundant life that Jesus gives to us (cf. John 10:10)

Objective – After completing this lesson and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the learner will be able to
1.describe the difference Jesus makes in their own life
2.List practices that draw them closer to Jesus
3.Create a personal action plan for their devotional life

Opening prayer

Focus – The Winter Olympics are soon coming to Vancouver.  During the two weeks of the Games we will see athletes from all over the world compete in a wide variety of winter sports.  Right now, and for months and years already, athletes who want to go to those Games have been training and preparing.  Why do they do that?

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

1. What is our natural condition (v.1 )? All of us were _______________ in our ____________________ and ___________________.  (See Genesis 2:15-17)
2. What did God do for us (v. 4-7)?  He made us _______________ with _________________ even when we were dead in transgression.  He ____________________ us up with Christ and _________________ us with him in the heavenly realms in ________________   __________________.  He did this because of his __________________ and ______________________.  He did this through the ___________________ and ___________________ of his Son ____________________   _____________________.
3. Why, how and for what purpose has God saved us?  I  am saved by _______________ through _________________ for __________________   __________________.
4. What difference does Jesus make in your life?_____________________________

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Read Ephesians 3:14-21

1. What does Paul pray for (v. 16-19)? That the believers in Ephesus will be
   1. ___________________ in power in their inner beings through the ________________   ________________
   2. that ___________________ may dwell in their _________________.
   3. That they will be  ___________________ and ___________________ in __________________.
   4. That they will grasp how ______________ and _________________ and _____________ and ______________ is the love of Christ
   5. That they will _______________ this love that surpasses __________________________
   6. And that they will be ___________________ to the measure with the fullness of God.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

1. What practices are listed in this passage that will help us to be strong in the Lord?
   1. The belt of ____________________
   2. The breastplate of ____________________
   3. Feet fitted with ____________________________ from the gospel of _________________
   4. The Shield of ___________________
   5. The Helmut of ____________________
   6. The Sword of the __________________ which is the _____________ of God.
   7. And ________________ in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
2. What spiritual practices draw you closer to God?
   1. _______________________________________________
   2. _______________________________________________
   3. _______________________________________________
   4. _______________________________________________
   5. _______________________________________________
3. Make your own intentional devotion plan
   1. When ______________________________________________
   2. Where______________________________________________
   3. What will you do?
      1. _______________________________________________
      2. _______________________________________________
      3. _______________________________________________
      4. _______________________________________________
      5. _______________________________________________

Summary

Closing Prayer