WEEK 4: NOVEMBER 19 - 25

Thursday, November 19

Read Matthew 6:25-34

• In this passage, Jesus is delivering a very famous sermon known as the Sermon on the Mount. From this part of the message, what is it that you worry about? How often do you worry about it/those things?

• God hasn’t promised that he will provide everything that we want, but he will meet our needs. Do you trust and believe that God is going to provide for you everything that you need?

• Do you spend time worrying over little things like clothing and appearance? Worrying over these things communicates that we don’t trust in Jesus, and he commands us not to spend time worrying, but to seek first his kingdom. Would you say you seek first his kingdom, or what you want and desire?

• Take 5 minutes and sit quietly. Try not to worry about anything but just let your mind rest. It’s pretty tough! In our culture, we are constantly moving and thinking about what’s next. Spend time in prayer for 5 minutes now. If you need to, apologize to God for the amount of time you spend worrying and not pursuing Him. Ask him to set your focus on the things that matter most to him.

Friday, November 20

Read Luke 9:18-25

• In this passage, Jesus begins by asking his disciples who other people say he is. He then asks them who they say he is. Who do you think Jesus is? Why do you believe this?

• What does Jesus mean when he says “whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for me will save it?

• Based on what you know to be true about Jesus, are you willing to give up the things you desire the most to follow him? If you are a Christian and are already following him, in what ways are you not living for him? How can you “die” to these things and follow after Jesus?

• Bow down on your knees before God. Pray and surrender the things in your life that need to be surrendered over to him. Whether those are plans, friends, desires. Offer him control of your life and ask him to make you more like him.

Monday, November 23

Read 1 Peter 5:5-9

• In your mind, what does it mean for someone to be humble? What does it mean for someone to be prideful?

• Do you think of yourself as someone who is humble or proud?

• Since God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble, is it your desire to be humble or prideful?

• Everyone struggles with pride. We all want things to be our way, look the way we want, or be in control of the situation. Jesus asks us, though, to die to those desires. In Philippians 2, Paul says we should consider others better than ourselves. That is true humility. Spend some time in prayer. Tell the Lord that you desire to be humble. Ask him to make you a humble person and to kill the pride within you. It won’t be easy, but you will know the heart of God.

Tuesday, November 24

Read Ephesians 5:15-17

• Paul is the author of these few verses, writing to the church in Ephesus. What does it mean to you to live wisely?

• Paul reminds the people to make the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil. How can you make the most of every opportunity you have for Christ each day?

• He also tells them not to be foolish, but to know the will of God. List out ways that you can know and learn what God’s will is each day.

• The only way to know the will of God is to know about him. This is done in prayer, reading the Bible, singing songs to him, and being silent before him. Take some time to pray. Ask the Lord to make you wise. If it’s your desire, tell him that you want to make the most of every opportunity. Tell him that you want to know his will.

Wednesday, November 25

Read Philippians 2:14-16

• Think back over the past week. How often do you think you complained or argued about something to someone? How often did you do it in your mind?

• Paul tells the church in Philippi to do everything without complaining or arguing. Why did he tell them to do this?

• The great thing that Paul has realized here is that complaining and arguing corrupts and darkens someone’s heart and soul. If their soul is corrupted and negative, they won’t be able to “shine like stars in the universe.” What does it mean to let your life “shine?” Is it your desire to let your life “shine” to the people around you?

• If this is your desire, pray and ask the Lord to purify your heart and soul. Ask him to remove any bitterness from your heart. Confess to him the times you have complained and ask him to give you an attitude and heart of love and encouragement.