Objective

Take tangible steps to build authentic relationships with five friends and loved ones.

1. Steps To Building Authentic Relationships

• Determine your preferred pathways to building authentic relationships by numbering the steps in order of priority.

• Share and explain your pathway with another person

• Determine specific actions for building authentic relationships with loved

ones/friends

• Work in pairs and help each other to suggest two or three tangible actions for the first three steps of one another’s process of building authentic relationships with their friends/loved ones.

Resources

1. Char Siew Rice video

Which of these blessings are you praying for?

1. Health

2. Protection

3. Inner Peace

4. Family Harmony

5. Financial Freedom

6. Progress in Career

7. Friendship and Relationships

8. Wisdom and Intelligence

9. Direction for the Future

10. Forgiveness

11. Eternal Life

12. The fullness of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said,

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” -John 16:24

Pause now and pray for the blessings.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your unchanging love. Thank You for sending Jesus so that we may be blessed in every way. (name) need Your help and blessings. Please bless (name) with ____________________ __________________ right now in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Objective

Craft and share your life story using personal illustrations and your driving force.

Dos For Writing Your Life Story

1. Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance. The reason we need to seek the Lord is because your story is not just yours; it is God’s story lived out through us.
2. Write a dangerous life story – vulnerable, specific, and of great impact
3. Use specific illustrations that have high impact. If your story shows your vulnerability, you can touch the other person more effectively.
4. Stay within your time limit. You should tell your story in 3 minutes or less.
5. Be realistic. Don’t imply that Christ removes all of life’s problems. Instead, emphasize that He gives you the strength and obedience to cope with problems.
6. Use appropriate illustrations. You may have many illustrations to share, but choose only the ones that are appropriate for your audience.
7. Avoid using biblical words (Christianese) such as saved, converted or sin. These words, if not explained carefully, can sound strange and intimidating to non-Christians. If you want to say you grew up in a Christian home, say instead that you had a religious upbringing.

Resources

1. How To Write Your Life Story

3 Components Of A Life Story 

1. Your Life Before Christ

This part of your life focuses on your life before you began your relationship with Christ. You can talk about what was important to you, your attitudes, needs and problems.

Think about the driving force in your life:

• anger or resentment
• fear
• guilt
• materialism
• the need for approval

Next, share an illustration. You should be able to think of many examples from your life but choose only one to illustrate your life story. You will refer to this illustration again in the last part of your life story.

a. Your Driving Force

b. Your Illustration

2. How You Came to Christ

The second part of your story focuses on how you came to Christ. If you became a Christian as an adult, it should be pretty clear. However if you grew up in a Christian home, this may be more challenging. Although you have known Christ for most of your life, think about the turning point in your walk with God.

3. Your Life Since Coming to Christ

The final part of your story focuses on how your life changed after you came to Christ or after Christ changed that area in your life. Your relationship with God is so important that you should point to something that changed as a result. You should also refer back to the illustration in the first part of your story. For example, if you were driven by anger, how has knowing God helped you to deal with your anger?

Now that you have written your life story, the next step is to learn how to make a smooth transition to your story. Here is an example of a transition statement that you may want to use:

“Tim, you know I’m a Christian but I have not been able to explain my spiritual journey. Recently I have been working on developing my life story, putting significant life events together in a 3-minute version. I would like to buy you coffee and get your opinion on it. Do you have some time this week?”

Resources

1. Ivan’s Sample Testimony
2. Becky’s Sample Testimony

Objective

• Introduce THE FOUR track available on GodTools

• Share the central message of the Gospel using the four symbols

THE FOUR Symbols

Sharing THE FOUR Through Wristband/Drawing

1. Heart Symbol: God loves me

Read 1 John 4:16 and write it out in your own words

b. Explain the first point in your own way and with a personal example

2. Division Symbol: I have sinned

a. Read Romans 3:23 and write it out in your own words

b. Explain the second point in your own way and with a personal example

3. Cross Symbol: Jesus Died for Me

a. Read John 3:16 and write it out in your own words

b. Explain the third point in your own way and with a personal example

4. Question Mark Symbol: Will I Choose to Follow Jesus?

a. Read John 1:12 and write it out in your own words

b. Explain the fourth point in your own way and with a personal example

Resources

1. How To Share THE FOUR (marketplace)
2. THE FOUR Explained

Objective

• Familiarize with resources on handling objections

• Ask to follow up questions leading to further explorations of faith

Follow-Up Questions

1. What did you think about the article/video etc.?
2. Did it make sense to you?
3. Can I share my faith journey?
4. What are some things that may be keeping you from accepting Jesus into your life?

Resources

1. Every Person
2. Obstacles to Faith
3. The Jesus Film
4. GodTools App: Go to Find Tools > Download “Questions About God?”

Objective

• Initiate follow-up session with new or existing believers

• Conduct follow-up sessions with new or existing believers

A. Initiating Follow-Up Session

1. For New/Existing Believers

• Using the illustration of developing a relationship to encourage a new believer for follow-up
• What other illustrations can you think of to motivate a new believer for follow-up?
• Why do you think it is important to set up the first follow-up session with a new believer as soon as possible?

“Tim, let’s say, if we just got to know each other today and became friends. But we don’t keep contact with each other after today. Do you think our friendship will grow? It is the same with your relationship with God. You have just begun a relationship with God today/recently. If you don’t continue to develop this relationship, you will not grow to know Him better. I would like to help you develop your relationship with God, is that ok with you? ”

Take note:

a. Make them aware of their need to grow in their relationship with God

b. Set up an appointment immediately to meet for the first follow-up session

c. Arrange a specific time and place to meet.

d. Ask the believer to review the gospel message (e.g. the Four Spiritual Laws) before you meet again and to thank Christ once more for coming into their lives.

B. Conducting The First Follow-Up Session (Beginning Your New Life In Christ)

BEGINNING THE SESSION

1. Have a clear objective for the first session
   • The objective of the first session is to make sure the new believer has the assurance of Christ’s indwelling presence.
   • Your objective is not just to cover the content of the lesson, but to help the new believer understand biblical principles.
2. Build rapport with the new believer

a. Ask how things have been since you last met

• Allow the believer to share

• Ask if he/she has read the gospel tract (e.g. The FOUR tract)

• Ask if he/she has thanked Christ for coming into his/her life

• Respond to any questions

b. As needs are expressed, share your own experiences and answers from God’s Word. Share how God has worked in your life.

DURING THE SESSION

1. Go through Follow-Up Session #1 on Beginning Your New Life in Christ
   
   a. Read the question
   
   b. Look up verses in the Bible and read them
   
   c. Re-read the question
   
   d. Let the new believer answer the question. Discuss if necessary.
   
   e. Re-state the answer correctly
   
   f. Allow the believer to write the answer
2. Create an environment that encourages spiritual growth
   
   a. Be understanding towards new believer
   
   • Many concepts might be foreign and he/she might need more time to digest and understand new spiritual concepts.
   
   • Explain Christian terms if you use them (e.g. justification)

b. Encourage the believer to ask questions.

• How can you create an environment that encourages people to ask questions?

3. Take time to listen to the new believer and be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit during the appointment.

ENDING THE SESSION

1. Be relaxed but attentive to the person’s needs.
   
   • Be aware of the time. If the person has other obligations to keep, cut the time short.
   
   • The new believer will probably be more open to talk about personal problems and interests now than before the lesson. Be open and ready. Do not hurry away if the person wants to take more time.
2. Let the new believer know that you enjoyed your time together. Communicate your desire to meet again to talk more about God and the Christian life.
3. Set a specific time and place for the second follow-up appointment.
   
   • If you have a number of people who are ready for Follow-up #2, meet with them as a group.
   
   • Personal follow-up is a bridge to group follow-up. Without the support of a group of disciples, very few Christians grow to spiritual maturity. It is important to involve new believers with other Christians because many of their friends might be non-Christians.
4. Close in prayer.
   
   • Keep your prayer simple. Why?
   
   • Encourage the new believer to pray – if he/she is nervous, reassure him/her that God sees our hearts and is not concerned with our words as much as He is with the attitude of our hearts. Explain that prayer is just talking with God, just as we would with a good friend – no eloquent words needed.

Beginning Your New Life With Christ

Every Christian can have the assurance that a right relationship exists between himself and God. Without this confidence, it is impossible for one to experience true happiness and complete fulfilment in life.

The moment that you, as an act of faith, receive Jesus Christ into your life to be your Lord and Savior, He comes in. This is what He promises in Revelation 3: 20 and Romans 10:10.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20

For it is with your heart that you believe and is justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. – Romans 10:10

Have you received Christ into your life in this way?

If so, where is Jesus Christ right now in relation to you?

On the basis of Revelation 3:20, how do you know that Christ is in your life?

Now that you have received Jesus Christ into your life, you have established a personal relationship with Him.

You have now become a true Christian. You do not become a Christian by living a good life or by being born into a Christian family. The word “Christian” means “Christ in one” – Christ living in you. The Bible tells us that many things happen when Christ comes to live in you.

A New Relationship

Romans 1:4 …who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. What does the resurrection prove to us about Jesus Christ? (Romans 1:4)
2. Who is Jesus Christ? (1 John 5:20)

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. -1 John 5:20

3. What would be the result for us if Christ had not risen from the dead?
   
   (1 Corinthians 15: 13-17)

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. -1 Corinthians 15: 13-17

4. (a) What did you become when you received Christ?
   
   But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. – John 1:12

(b) Since other Christians are also God’s children, what is your relationship to them?

5. (a)Salvation is God’s favor freely given to man when he puts his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, resulting in the forgiveness of sin. Is salvation the reward of a man’s good works? (Ephesians 2: 8 , 9)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.-Ephesians 2:8-9

(b) How is salvation obtained?

6. Have you received forgiveness for your sins? (Colossians 1:13-14)

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. -Colossians 1:13-14

7. (a) Will Christ ever leave you? (Hebrews 13:5)

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.” -Hebrews 13:5

(b) Since Christ has promised never to leave you, how many times do you have to invite Him to come into your life?

A New Life

Read 1 John 5:11-13

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. -Hebrews 13:5

1. Where is eternal life found? (1 John 5:11)
2. If a person has Christ in His life, what kind of life does he have?(1John 5:13)
3. (a) Can a person know that he has eternal life right now? (1 John 5:13)
   
   (b) Do you know that you have eternal life? (c) How do you know?

A New Adventure

1. Now that you have Christ in your life, what have you become? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

2. What can separate you from Christ? (Romans 8:38-39)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

3. Who can take you away from Christ? (John 10:27-29)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. -John 10:27-29

Conclusion

1. On the basis of this study what are some of the things that you know are true of your life right now?
2. Would you like to thank God right now for what He has done for you? Thanking God demonstrates faith!

Beginning Your New Life Of Fellowship With Christ

Every Christian can experience fellowship with God moment by moment as he learns to confess sin in his life. To live in fellowship with Jesus Christ is to experience a full and abundant life.

When you received Jesus Christ, you established a personal relationship with Him. You became a child of God (John 1:12). You received His life so now you bear His name “Christian”.

A common question that many Christians ask is, “What happens when I sin and do things that are displeasing to God?” In other words, “Is my relationship broken? Does Jesus leave my life?”

The answer to this question can best be understood if we distinguish between our relationship to God and our fellowship with God.

Relationship

We can illustrate the difference between our relationship to God and our fellowship with God by the father-son relationship in a human family. When a boy is born into a family, he is the son of his father’s life in him. He then bears his father’s name.

Let’s suppose the son decides to leave his home and does many things to disgrace his father. Is he still his father’s son?

The relationship of the father and son is permanent. This relationship exists regardless of the behaviour of the son.

Fellowship

However, what would happen to their fellowship? Because of the action of the son, their fellowship has been broken. What must the son do to restore their fellowship? The son must go to his father, admitting he is wrong and asking for forgiveness.

Let us relate this illustration to our relationship with God. Our relationship with God, our Father, is permanent. We are His children. This relationship never changes. But when we sin and do things that are displeasing to God, our fellowship is broken. So, in order for our fellowship with God to be restored, we must tell Him that we have been wrong and accept His forgiveness.

We can illustrate the differences in our relationship with God by these three circles.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3. Write the answers to the following questions in the blanks above.

1. How is the non-Christian described in 1 Corinthians 2: 14? (No.1)
2. How is the Christ-directed man described in 1 Corinthians 2:15? (No.2)
3. How is the self-directed man described in 1 Corinthians 3:1 (No.3)

While the natural man does not have Christ in his life, Christ is in the lives of both the spiritual man and carnal man; they are Christians.

Now, let us examine each circle to see which one has both a relationship and fellowship with God. Write the answers in the corresponding blanks.

4. Does the natural man in circle No.1 have a relationship with God? (No.4)
5. Does the natural man in circle No. 1 have fellowship with God? (No.5)
6. Does the spiritual man in circle No. 2 have a relationship with God? (No.6)
7. Does the spiritual man in circle No. 2 have fellowship with God? (No.7)

The carnal man is a Christian who is living a self-directed life because of sin.

8. Does the carnal man in circle No.3 have a relationship with God? (No.8)
9. Does the carnal man in circle No.3 have fellowship with God? (No.9)

The carnal man in circle No. 3 can restore his fellowship with God by confessing his sin. Confession involves three things: agreeing, thanking and repenting.

When we confess, we AGREE with God that He has revealed to us as sin is sin. We also THANK God that our sin has been paid for by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. Confession also involves REPENTANCE. Repentance is a change of attitude which will result in a change of action.

The Christian needs to understand that when he sins and takes over the direction of his life once again, he should immediately confess his sin and God will restore him to fellowship.

Read 1 John 1:9

10. According to this verse, what are we to do with our sins?
11. What did God promise to do when we confess our sins?

Beginning Your New Life In The Holy Spirit

Everyday can be an exciting adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and who lives constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious control.

For three years the disciples had walked, worked and talked with Jesus. They knew Him, trusted Him and loved Him. On one particular night, however, Jesus told His disciples some very upsetting news: He would soon die.

Put yourself in the disciples’ place. How would you feel? Confused? Frightened? Helpless? They probably did, too.

But then imagine hearing Jesus tell you, as a result of His going to be with God the Father, another friend would come -one who would be with you, one who would be in you.

The friend who was to come is the Holy Spirit. An amazing thing that Jesus told His followers was that the Holy Spirit would reside in them. Even better, He would “be with them forever”. Imagine the encouragement this offered to these individuals. God would make His home within the lives of those people who would love and receive Him.

In this way, the disciples would not be left with the impossible tasks of trying to imitate the character of Christ and attempting to continue His mission. Instead, through the Holy Spirit, the very life of Christ with all His character, authority and strength could be lived through their individual lives and personalities.

Twenty centuries later, Christ’s promise still remains true. He offers hope to those who are trying to live as He lived. Anyone who has sincerely attempted to reach that goal knows that, worthy as it is, it is a hopeless ideal. Only Jesus Christ can act like Jesus Christ.

And that, of course, is the uniqueness of Christianity. Instead of frustrating us with the inevitable failure of attempting to live up to impossibly high ethical, moral and spiritual standards, the only Person who ever perfectly fulfilled all those standards offers to do it again – through each of us. Once Jesus has entered into a life, that person has the potential to let Him live out His life in and through him. This is available to anyone!

It sounds good, doesn’t it? The obvious question is, how can I experience the resurrected Christ living His life through me? The following will help to explain.

Turn to the booklet entitled “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life”?* Read it through before proceeding with the rest of this booklet.

After completing “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life?”* return to this booklet and answer the following Review Questions.

* Read “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life” here: cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/the-spirit-filled-life.html

Review Questions

(As you answer the following questions refer to the booklet “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit- filled Life?”)

1. On whom is the carnal Christian relying?
   
   2. On whom is the spiritual Christian relying?
2. A spiritual Christian becomes carnal when he refuses to confess sin in his life. What are the two aspects of spiritual breathing?
3. What are three things involved in exhaling (confession of sin)?
4. What does inhaling mean?
5. We can know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith based on His _____________ and ______________.

Beginning Your New Life Of Growth In Christ

Receiving Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour is the most important decision in life. The act of receiving Jesus Christ by faith starts a whole new life. Just as physical life requires air, food, rest and exercise, so spiritual life has its requirements for growth and development.

The moment you receive Christ, you were born into God ‘s family and you received everything you need to live the abundant Christian life. Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ. “The righteous man shall live by faith ” (Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life.

The nourishment for spiritual well-being is provided in the following Principles of Growth:

1. Prayer
2. Bible Study
3. Obedience

Prayer

Prayer is talking and listening to God. Failures in the Christian life can most often be traced to prayerlessness.

1. How does man speak to God?
2. Read Philippians 4: 6-7
   
   (a) What are we told to do?
   
   (b) What should we pray about?
   
   (c) As we pray about everything, what does God promise we will experience?

We talk to God through prayer as illustrated in the diagram; He talks to us through the Bible.

Bible Study

Physical food is necessary for physical life. Without food, one becomes weak and eventually ill. This is true spiritually as well. The Bible is our spiritual food.

1. How does God speak to man?
2. How does reading the Bible help us? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
3. How does faith grow? (Romans 10:17)
4. When should we read the Bible? (Acts 17:11)

As we read God’s Word, the Bible, God talks to us as illustrated in the diagram. As we pray, we talk to God. We need to constantly practise both.

It is necessary to read God’s Word daily for daily strength.

Obedience

The key to continual growth in the Christian life is obedience to the will of God. To know the importance of prayer and Bible study is of little value unless they are applied in our lives.

1. Read James 1:22
   
   (a) According to this verse, is it enough to read the Bible?
   
   (b) After we have read the Bible, what are we supposed to do?
2. How can we prove that we love Jesus? (John 14:21)
3. What will be the result of keeping Christ’s commandments? (John 15:10)
4. Where do we get the power to obey the will of God? (Philippians 2:13)

Conclusion

In light of our study and discussion, what three things do you think God wants you to do daily?

Realising that prayer and Bible study are essential for our spiritual growth, I am going to set aside from ______ (time) to ______ (time) each day to pray and study the Bible.

Beginning Your New Life In God’s Word

The Bible is God’s inspired Word to Man. He has something to say to you. Much of the adventure of the Christian life comes from discovering through the Bible more of what God is like and what His plans are for you.

Throughout history God has desired to communicate with the people of His creation. Before Jesus came, God spoke to and through the committed people of the Old Testament who recorded His Word. God then sent His Word to earth personally, in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). While Jesus was on earth, as well as after His death and resurrection, God again directed committed men to record the words and ministry of the Son of God. The results of their faithfulness and availability is the New Testament.

The Bible is the entire record of God’s communication to us. It has been given to us by God who desires our fellowship and worship.

Learning To Listen To God

The Bible is the most important book one could read. Many people do not know how to listen to what God is saying to them in His Word. A meaningful relationship with the Lord is dependent on hearing and understanding what He is sharing with us. Following are some hints to help you begin your study of God’s Word.

Understanding that reading the Bible is not like reading any other book. The Bible is God’s inspired Word to Man. In this book, God has something to say to you. Therefore, read with the attitude, “Lord, this is Your personal letter of love and instruction to me. Help me to understand and obey Your counsel and commands.”

Preparation

In addition to the Bible, you will need a pen or pencil, paper and a quiet place to study. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your study. Your study will normally involve three steps: Observation, Interpretation and Application.

1. OBSERVATION

In this step you observe in order to find out what the passage says. You may need to read the passage several times or you may wish to write out the passage concentrating on “What does the passage say?”

2. INTERPRETATION

The second step involves the question, “What does this passage mean?” Ask: “What does it say about God and man?”

3. APPLICATION

In this step you ask the question, “How does this passage apply to my life?” You may ask the following questions:

• Is there a command to obey?

• Is there a promise to claim?

• Is there sin to confess?

• Is there an attitude to change?

• Is there an example to follow?

Example

Here is an example of how to follow the three steps using 1 Peter 5:7:

Exercise

Read John 15:10-12. Using the three steps and following the example, let God speak to you. This chart is provided for you to use. Apply the three steps as you study the Bible daily. Consider buying a notebook to record your study of the Bible.

Beginning Your New Life In Prayer

Prayer is talking with God. Every Christian has the privilege of communicating directly with God. If we desire a vital and fulfilling Christian life, we need

to learn to talk with God. Through prayer, we can appropriate all of God’s resources for us in Jesus Christ.

Any fulfilling relationship involves two-way communication. A look at the biographies of people recorded in the Bible clearly shows the importance of communication between God and His people. As long as these individuals listened to God, obeyed Him and prayed, their spiritual lives were radiant. When these same people, however, failed to hear and obey God and talk with Him through prayer, spiritual problems crowded in.

The same thing can happen to us today. God communicates with us through His Word, the Bible. If we desire a rich and fulfilling Christian life, we also need to learn to talk with God. To pray is simply to converse or talk with Him.

Prayer was an important emphasis in the life of Jesus Christ. His desire to seek His Father’s presence and know His will through prayer is apparent throughout His earthly life. The life of Christ was a living conversation with God the Father; prayer was the backbone of Christ’s life and ministry. To become like Christ, we need to learn to pray.

Prayer should include the following elements: Worship and Praise, Thanksgiving, Confession, and Specific Requests.

Worship And Praise God

1. In Psalm 95:6, we are told to ______________ God.
2. According to Psalm 95:7, why should we worship God?
3. According to Psalm 135:3, why should we praise God?
   
   God is worthy of our worship and praise. As His children, we should praise Him for His love, mercy, patience, holiness and power.
4. Read 1 Chronicles 29:11, 12. What does this passage tell us about God’s character?

Worship And Praise Through Prayer

Take a few minutes to worship and praise God now. Tell Him how much you appreciate Him and why. Considering the character of God described in 1 Chronicles 29:11, 12, tell God your thoughts about Him.

Thank God In Everything

1. Read Psalm 106:1. According to this verse, what should we do?
2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18. According to this verse, for what should we thank God?
3. Read Romans 8:28. According to this verse, why can we thank God for everything?

Thank God In Everything Through Prayer

1. Take a few minutes, and in the space below, list various things that God has done in your life for which you wish to thank Him.
2. Now list any unpleasant experiences and difficult areas in your life for which you have not thanked God.

Now thank God for these things.

Confess Your Sins

1. According to Psalm 66:18, what happens when we pray and there is unconfessed sin in our lives?
2. According to 1 John 1:9, what does God say He will do when we confess our sins?

Are you aware of anything in your life that is not pleasing to God? If so, confess your sin:

1. Agree with God that what He has revealed to you as sin is sin.
   
   b. Thank God for His forgiveness on the basis of what Christ has done on the cross.
   
   c. Repent- change your attitude and action. 

Confess Your Sins Through Prayer

Take a few minutes and ask God to show you what is not pleasing to Him. Privately, list these on a separate sheet of paper. Now pray and confess this sin. Claim the promise of 1 John 1:9 and write this verse across your sheet. Then destroy your list.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.-1 John 1:9

Specific Requests

1. According to James 4:2b., why are the needs of some Christians not met?
2. According to Matthew 7:7, what does Jesus say will happen when we tell God our needs?
3. According to 1 Timothy 2:1, for whom should we pray?

Specific Requests Through Prayer

Take a few minutes and list your specific needs and requests. When your requests to God are specific, you will know when He has answered them.

Pray Regularly

Prayer can become enjoyable when you write your requests every day in your devotional notebook. This provides a permanent record of your requests. It is also exciting to review your requests periodically and see the many ways God has answered and actively involved Himself in your life.