Summer Institute of Christian Training

2002

The Importance of Personal Devotions

The quality of our personal devotional time significantly shapes the rest of our lives.

Relationship with Lord

Understanding of His Person and Will

Devotions is ....

Fire of Devotion

Desire to do His Will

Tending our Fire for God

Devotional Dilemma
When a person becomes a new Christian, we usually end up telling them that they ought to have devotions. Of course, they have no idea what devotions are. We just tell them that they ought to read the Bible and pray each day. We need to go beyond simply describing what devotions is but train them how to have quiet times and tell them both how to have quality times with the Lord and the purpose for them.
ou t With ing n i tra

Warped Concepts

What do you think is the end affect of this process on the individual Christian? The church?

Predefined Poor Concepts

With q train uality ing

Proper Concepts

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Evaluating our Devotional Times

C h t ia s n r i

Summer Institute of Christian Training

L i f e

#1 Investigating the Past #2 Planning for the Future #3 Dedication

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Catching the Excitement of Quality Devotions

A

Bad experience shapes bad theology Purpose of Devotions

What is God saying to us from Exodus 33:7-11?

meeting place with the LORD

1) Moses met regularly with God. Whenever Moses went out to the tent God can closely _______________ with people even in the OT. 2) Outside the camp. Outside the camp, a good distance from the camp _______ and ______________ was in the camp. 3) Moses meets God. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend Moses was not alone in the tent. As Moses entered the tent, __________ approached. 4) God talked with Moses. The LORD would speak with Moses.

The LORD ________________ with Moses.

ople e p for od in e Moses experience with God stimulated interest in God and worship from ________________. k i it l meet Gs? . s i t e y Wha en the criptur wh the s
5) Onlookerss responded. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud

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Meeting God in the New Testament

When we are seeking to have a special quality time with God during devotions, are we asking for something normal or extraordinary?

Summer Institute of Christian Training

Moses vs. Christians

2 Corinthians: chapters 3-5

Moses Tablets of stone Old Covenant Fading glory Veil needed

(2,7) (3) (6) (7-8) (14-16)

Christians Tablets of human hearts New Covenant More glory Veil removed

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Quality Prayer Times

Is it true that Prayer is me talking to God and reading the Bible is God speaking to me?

How long would you spend on the phone

#1 Recognize #2 Pause #3 Converse #4 Alert

if you were only speaking to yourself?

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Quality Bible Study

The Blessing of Meditative Bible Study
We prayerfully reflect upon Gods Word. We are asking Him what certain things mean or have to do with our lives. We are telling Him how we need something that we dont have.

Summer Institute of Christian Training

Word by Word Process

Opposite method Expand message Personal method Emphasis method Translation method (O) (X) (P) (E) (T)

OXPET

I will give Thee thanks with all my heart (Psalm 138:1).

Importance Of Devotions For Fruitful Ministry

Ministry is an outflow of our times with God.
Initiating Ministry Sustaining Ministry

Relationship with Lord

Understanding of His Person and Will

Power

Desire to do His Will

Quality devotional times unleash a consistent and powerful spirit of ministry because it is rooted in the power, purpose and love of God.

Ministry
{Serving others}

Being Fruitful
John 15:4-17; Psalm 1:2-3