Word | Week 2 of 3 – “Time with God”

Main Scripture: Mark 1:35 (ESV)

The Takeaway: To know God, you have to spend time with God.

Ladies, if you have a guy who is showing interest in you and says he
wants to know you, but he never calls you, takes you out, or spends any
time with you … does he really want to know you? Does he really want
to go out with you?

Maybe he likes the idea of you and him being a couple. But he’s not
really all about “you and him.” He likes the benefits that come with it
(how it makes him look, etc.), but he’s not about the commitment.

In order to know God, we must spend time with Him.

The Main Course

Mark 1:35 (ESV)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed
and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Of all people, you would think that if anyone could skip out on some
good quality time with God, it would be the Son of God! Even for Jesus,
though, it was important that He spend daily, consistent time with His
Father. Why?

1. To know God, you must spend time with God.

a. We live in a world where even though we may be connected by
social media, we really don’t know each other. How does spending
face-to-face time ensure that we truly know a person?
b. What message does it send to a person when you don’t want to
spend time with them?

2. Spending Time with God

a. Have you tried reading and understanding the Bible before? Did
you have any success? Why or why not?
b. Why is it important to get alone (no phone included) when
spending time with God?
 c. What does starting your day off with God say about your priorities?
How can time with God start your day and your mind in the right
direction?

The Goods
So, you might be thinking, “I’m going to try this whole quiet-time deal.
What do I need?”

1. No phone or tablet. (Share my experience)

2. Notebook and Pen
3. Prayer. Start off your time with a short prayer to bring your mind
and heart into focus. There will be time later for praying for your
needs and the need of others, which is very important. This prayer
is just to bring our hearts in tune with God.

4. Bible-Reading Plan.

There’s a story told about a man who used this method. The first
verse he happened to turn to was Matthew 27:5, which says, “And
throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he (Judas)
departed, and he went and hanged himself.” Since he was not
sure how this verse applied to himself, he flipped to another
passage and the Bible fell open to Luke 10:37: “Then said Jesus to
him, ‘You go and do likewise.’” The man was quite upset, and he
did not know how he could ever obey that, so he decided to turn to
one more place. Again, he opened the Bible at random, and to his
horror his finger fell upon John 13:27: “Then Jesus said to him,
‘What you are going to do, do quickly.” Imagine the emotions and
the confusion that this man experienced!
5x5x5 bible reading plan by Navigators

5. Take notes - SOAP is a method of notetaking

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.
It is a method that is easy to follow and use.

Example:
Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16
Observation – What sticks out to you in the verse or verses? What’s the
main idea? Is there anything being repeated? Are you unsure and have
questions?
Example:
Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16
Observation: v.13 – Salt is meant to give flavor to something, and it
also preserves. If it loses that salty quality, then it’s useless.
Application: What does this mean for my life? How do I live this out?

Example:
Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16
Observation: v. 13 – Salt is meant to give flavor to something, and it
also preserves. If it loses that salty quality, then it is useless.
Application: I am supposed to bring flavor and preserve a world that is
tasteless and falling apart. How can I do that? By loving others, being
compassionate, and standing for truth.
Prayer: Write out a short prayer that voices what you have learned and
want to apply to your life.

Example:
Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16
Observation: v. 13 – Salt is meant to give flavor to something, and it also
preserves. If it loses that salty quality, then it is useless.
Application: I am supposed to bring flavor and preserve a world that is
tasteless and falling apart. How can I do that? By loving others, being
compassionate, and standing for truth.
Prayer: Father, help me bring life to a dead world by loving others like
you have loved me. Let me share your love for the world by how I treat
others and how I live my life.

After taking notes, be sure to go back and review them during the
week. Continue to study and read them so that they become more
and more ingrained.

In Conclusion

1. For some of you, it may be that you need to start that relationship.
You like the idea of Jesus, but you aren’t too sure about an actual
relationship with Him.
2. For some, you may say that you are spending time with GOD but
your life doesn’t really show that
3. For others, it could be about taking notes. Whatever.

Commit to it this year.