As mentioned last month, we're going to take a look at each of the rhythms of Rooted over the next several months. The first rhythm is
daily devotion
- expressing
daily devotion to the God who created and loves us.
The practice of daily devotion is vital for the spiritual growth of all believers. Spending time with God each day, especially in the Bible and in prayer, not only teaches us more of God’s word but encourages our hearts and spirits! When I start my day with the Lord, it changes my perspective and reminds me of who I am in Christ and who I want to be that day.
Daily devotions can take on many different formats. In Rooted, daily devotions look like this:
- Reading a few passages of Scripture
- Reading an article that explains that Scripture and sparks thought
- Journaling what you’ve learned and how you can apply it to your life
- Praying and spending time quietly listening for what God may have to say
As we seek intentional spiritual growth in our small groups, I can’t think of any step that would be more powerful than for every group member to spend daily time with God. So, if you’re not already,
lead by example
. Be sure you are spending time with the Lord daily.
How can you encourage your group to do so as well?
- Be sure each group member has a Bible in a translation they can understand.
- Consider a curriculum that includes a little “homework” for each day.
- Encourage them to start small, beginning with 10-15 minutes with God.
- Recommend some great daily devotions. There are hundreds and hundreds of them in the You Version app. The First 5 App, Daily Power by Craig Groeschel, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, or She Reads Truth would also be a good start.
- Remind them to commit to time in prayer, including praying for your group. Also, being quiet and listening for God can be a difficult discipline, but it is well worth it.
- Spend a little time in the beginning of each group chatting about what you all are learning in your daily quiet time.
The best reason for daily quiet time is because Jesus thought it was important. Mark 1:35 tells us, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” As with any relationship we desire to grow, we need to spend daily time together. Think of what condition your marriage or friendship would be in if you only spent time together once or twice a week for an hour or so, and what it could be if you spent quality time together each and every day. Our relationship with God is no different.
Next month, we’ll talk more about the rhythm of prayer.
Blessings!
Amanda Seidler
All-Campus Adult Life Director
“
We must exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world.
”
- Lysa TerKeurst
