As you study this week’s passage, reflect back on your study of the book of Hebrews; think upon what you have learned about Jesus Christ.  Dwell upon how this revelation has affected your worship.

Review this Week’s MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28, NIV

DISCUSS: What did I learn in the Sunday School lesson and sermon about “Be; Do; Live - Worship?”

Meditate upon (Heb 12:14-17, 28) using 2PROAPT (on the back or at the bottom if online).  Be still before Him and think about what you have just read; Listen to Him.  In your own words, summarize what this passage is saying to you.

• The author urges his readers to “live in peace” and to “be holy” (v.14). What is the relationship between these two actions? In other words, what does peace have to do with holiness, and vice versa?
• What warning does the author give concerning Esau? How is Esau’s story relevant to us today?
• What does it mean to say that “without holiness no one will see the Lord”?
• When the heavens and the earth are “shaken” (vs 26-29), what from your life will remain?
• What does it mean to “worship God acceptably” (v 28)? (See also Isaiah 1:10-17; 29:13).

(Resource – Faith Foundations Study Guide, Alan Perkins)

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Intimacy with God: Your Quiet Time –2PROAPT

 Two key elements in having intimacy with God are prayer and the Word.  We come to the Word of God not just to read it, but to understand what He is saying to us and to determine how He wants us to apply it to our lives; asking Him for the strength and will to apply it.  Finally, writing it down and sharing it with another so that they might also learn.

Study a short passage (couple of paragraphs) using an acrostic called: 2PROAPT.

• Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the passage and give you understanding. Remember, your goal is to meet with Him, so spend time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) – the supplication is to understand the Word, to know Him and to enjoy Him!
  
• Preview – Read the passage quickly; what’s the topic or theme? Did you notice anything in particular?
  
• Read – Read the passage again more slowly.  Is God trying to tell you something?  Is there something you haven’t noticed before?  
  
• Observe – Read the passage again out loud.  Look at each word; each phrase; underline or mark key words; vary the emphasis you place on the words.  What is He saying to you; what is He asking you to do?  Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
  
• Apply – Is there a command to obey; a sin to confess or an action to take?  How can you apply this scripture to your life?  Does He want you to do it now?
  
• Pray – Pray that He would enable you to do what He has told you to do in applying the scripture. Memorize (Phil 2:13); stand upon its truth. Be still before Him, listen, and let the Word saturate your thoughts and your heart.
  
• Tell – Write in your journal what He has revealed to you, then share with someone what you have learned. Don’t place your light under a basket (Mt 5:15). Remember to have a plan, a place, a purpose (to meet with Him), and finally – PERSEVERE, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t think you have the time, give God the “first fruits” of your day! Early mornings are wonderful in His presence; set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier. 

As you study this week’s passage, reflect back on your prayer life; an important part of prayer is not only talking to God, but learning to listen to Him.  In prayer we worship, learn, seek, inquire of and fellowship with God!

Review this Week’s MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28, NIV

DISCUSS: What did I learn in the Sunday School lesson and sermon about “God’s Voice?”

Meditate upon (Heb 12:18-28) using 2PROAPT (on the back or at the bottom if online).  Be still before Him and think about what you have just read; Listen to Him.  In your own words, summarize what this passage is saying to you.

• There are two types of listeners: Passive and/or Active.  Read James 1:22-25; how would you describe an Active listener?  A Passive one?  How can we become active listeners?
• List the ways that you think God speaks to you.  How do you determine that it is God speaking?
• Read Ps 81; what are some of the blessings for listening?  List some results of not listening.
• What insight do you get into God’s heart, His feelings, and His emotions as you read this passage.  How do you feel when you read v11? V13? Listen – what is He saying to you right now?

(Resource – Dr. Charles F. Stanley – 30 Life Principles)

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Intimacy with God: Your Quiet Time –2PROAPT

Two key elements in having intimacy with God are prayer and the Word.  We come to the Word of God not just to read it, but to understand what He is saying to us and to determine how He wants us to apply it to our lives; asking Him for the strength and will to apply it.  Finally, writing it down and sharing it with another so that they might also learn.

Study a short passage (couple of paragraphs) using an acrostic called: 2PROAPT.

• Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the passage and give you understanding. Remember, your goal is to meet with Him, so spend time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) – the supplication is to understand the Word, to know Him and to enjoy Him!
  
• Preview – Read the passage quickly; what’s the topic or theme? Did you notice anything in particular?
  
• Read – Read the passage again more slowly.  Is God trying to tell you something?  Is there something you haven’t noticed before?  
  
• Observe – Read the passage again out loud.  Look at each word; each phrase; underline or mark key words; vary the emphasis you place on the words.  What is He saying to you; what is He asking you to do?  Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
  
• Apply – Is there a command to obey; a sin to confess or an action to take?  How can you apply this scripture to your life?  Does He want you to do it now?
  
• Pray – Pray that He would enable you to do what He has told you to do in applying the scripture. Memorize (Phil 2:13); stand upon its truth. Be still before Him, listen, and let the Word saturate your thoughts and your heart.
  
• Tell – Write in your journal what He has revealed to you, then share with someone what you have learned. Don’t place your light under a basket (Mt 5:15). Remember to have a plan, a place, a purpose (to meet with Him), and finally – PERSEVERE, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t think you have the time, give God the “first fruits” of your day! Early mornings are wonderful in His presence; set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier. 

As you study this week’s passage, reflect back on the trials and hardships you have experienced; ask Him for understanding and wisdom – be sensitive to what He is teaching you about His purposes in allowing these into your life.

Review this Week’s MEMORY VERSE: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” Heb 12:7, NIV

DISCUSS: What did I learn in the Sunday School lesson and sermon about “A Father’s Discipline?”

Meditate upon (Heb 12:5-13) using 2PROAPT (on the back or at the bottom if online).  Be still before Him and think about what you have just read. In your own words, summarize what this passage is saying to you.

• What two cautions does verse 5 give us? What does it mean to “not make light of”?
• How do vs 6-7 change the way you feel about discipline; or do they?
• Review these questions and scriptures from last week: what does it mean when hardship and suffering come into our lives? (see Deut. 8:5; Ps. 94:12; 119:71; 1 Cor. 11:32; Rev. 3:19)  How should we respond?  Why?
• What is the ultimate goal of God’s discipline?  How is God’s discipline like or unlike that of a human father?
• What does the book of Proverbs have to say about the value of parental discipline?  See Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15-17.

(Resource – Faith Foundations Study Guide, Alan Perkins)

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Intimacy with God: Your Quiet Time –2PROAPT

Two key elements in having intimacy with God are prayer and the Word.  We come to the Word of God not just to read it, but to understand what He is saying to us and to determine how He wants us to apply it to our lives; asking Him for the strength and will to apply it.  Finally, writing it down and sharing it with another so that they might also learn.

Study a short passage (couple of paragraphs) using an acrostic called: 2PROAPT.

• Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the passage and give you understanding. Remember, your goal is to meet with Him, so spend time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) – the supplication is to understand the Word, to know Him and to enjoy Him!
  
• Preview – Read the passage quickly; what’s the topic or theme? Did you notice anything in particular?
  
• Read – Read the passage again more slowly.  Is God trying to tell you something?  Is there something you haven’t noticed before?  
  
• Observe – Read the passage again out loud.  Look at each word; each phrase; underline or mark key words; vary the emphasis you place on the words.  What is He saying to you; what is He asking you to do?  Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
  
• Apply – Is there a command to obey; a sin to confess or an action to take?  How can you apply this scripture to your life?  Does He want you to do it now?
  
• Pray – Pray that He would enable you to do what He has told you to do in applying the scripture. Memorize (Phil 2:13); stand upon its truth. Be still before Him, listen, and let the Word saturate your thoughts and your heart.
  
• Tell – Write in your journal what He has revealed to you, then share with someone what you have learned. Don’t place your light under a basket (Mt 5:15). Remember to have a plan, a place, a purpose (to meet with Him), and finally – PERSEVERE, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t think you have the time, give God the “first fruits” of your day! Early mornings are wonderful in His presence; set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier. 

As you continue your study of Hebrews, reflect back on what you have learned about faith & obedience; ask Him for understanding and wisdom – be sensitive to what He is teaching you about running the race of faith.

Review this Week’s MEMORY VERSE (Heb 12:1).  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1, NIV

DISCUSS: What did I learn in the Sunday School lesson and sermon about “The Race of Faith?”

Meditate upon (Heb 12:1-6) using 2PROAPT (on the back or at the bottom if online).  Be still before Him and think about what you have just read. In your own words, express what this passage teaches you about your race of faith.

• Who are the “witnesses” of verse 1? How are they significant to us as we run our race of faith?
• What are some ways in which the Christian life is like a footrace? How is it unlike a race.
• We are encouraged here to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (v. 2) and “consider him” (v. 3). How do we do that?  What will be the result?
• What does it mean when hardship and suffering come into our lives? (see Deut. 8:5; Ps. 94:12; 119:71; 1 Cor. 11:32; Rev. 3:19)  How should we respond?  Why?
• What is the ultimate goal of God’s discipline?  How is God’s discipline like or unlike that of a human father?

(Resource – Faith Foundations Study Guide, Alan Perkins)

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Intimacy with God: Your Quiet Time –2PROAPT

Two key elements in having intimacy with God are prayer and the Word.  We come to the Word of God not just to read it, but to understand what He is saying to us and to determine how He wants us to apply it to our lives; asking Him for the strength and will to apply it.  Finally, writing it down and sharing it with another so that they might also learn.

Study a short passage (couple of paragraphs) using an acrostic called: 2PROAPT.

• Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the passage and give you understanding. Remember, your goal is to meet with Him, so spend time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) – the supplication is to understand the Word, to know Him and to enjoy Him!
  
• Preview – Read the passage quickly; what’s the topic or theme? Did you notice anything in particular?
  
• Read – Read the passage again more slowly.  Is God trying to tell you something?  Is there something you haven’t noticed before?  
  
• Observe – Read the passage again out loud.  Look at each word; each phrase; underline or mark key words; vary the emphasis you place on the words.  What is He saying to you; what is He asking you to do?  Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
  
• Apply – Is there a command to obey; a sin to confess or an action to take?  How can you apply this scripture to your life?  Does He want you to do it now?
  
• Pray – Pray that He would enable you to do what He has told you to do in applying the scripture. Memorize (Phil 2:13); stand upon its truth. Be still before Him, listen, and let the Word saturate your thoughts and your heart.
  
• Tell – Write in your journal what He has revealed to you, then share with someone what you have learned. Don’t place your light under a basket (Mt 5:15). Remember to have a plan, a place, a purpose (to meet with Him), and finally – PERSEVERE, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t think you have the time, give God the “first fruits” of your day! Early mornings are wonderful in His presence; set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier. 
  

As you study this passage from Joshua, ask Him for understanding and wisdom – be sensitive to what He is teaching you about Faith and Obedience.

Review this Week’s MEMORY VERSE (Heb 11:6).  “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6, NIV

DISCUSS: What did I learn in the Sunday School lesson about “God-sized Tasks?”

Meditate upon (Josh 6:1-16,20-21) using 2PROAPT (on the back or at the bottom if online).  Be still before Him and think about what you have just read. In your own words, summarize what this passage teaches you about “God-Sized Tasks”.

• Summarize God’s battle plan for the taking of Jericho.  Place yourself in Joshua’s shoes – what do you think was his “Crisis of Faith”?
• List some reasons for why you believe God chose such a strange military plan for the destruction of Jericho, the first military campaign in the Promised Land?
• Describe the relationship between “Trust” and “Obedience”; why is obedience so important?  See John 14:15 and 15:10.
• Why do you think God gives us so many examples of “God-Sized Tasks” that require faith and action?  (Romans 15:4, see also James 5:17)
• Has God given you a God-Sized task?  Share the victory with a friend!
• After you have completed this devotion, pass it along to a friend – God can use you to help another grow in faith!

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Intimacy with God: Your Quiet Time –2PROAPT

Two key elements in having intimacy with God are prayer and the Word.  We come to the Word of God not just to read it, but to understand what He is saying to us and to determine how He wants us to apply it to our lives; asking Him for the strength and will to apply it.  Finally, writing it down and sharing it with another so that they might also learn.

Study a short passage (couple of paragraphs) using an acrostic called: 2PROAPT.

• Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the passage and give you understanding. Remember, your goal is to meet with Him, so spend time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) – the supplication is to understand the Word, to know Him and to enjoy Him!
  
• Preview – Read the passage quickly; what’s the topic or theme? Did you notice anything in particular?
  
• Read – Read the passage again more slowly.  Is God trying to tell you something?  Is there something you haven’t noticed before?  
  
• Observe – Read the passage again out loud.  Look at each word; each phrase; underline or mark key words; vary the emphasis you place on the words.  What is He saying to you; what is He asking you to do?  Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
  
• Apply – Is there a command to obey; a sin to confess or an action to take?  How can you apply this scripture to your life?  Does He want you to do it now?
  
• Pray – Pray that He would enable you to do what He has told you to do in applying the scripture. Memorize (Phil 2:13); stand upon its truth. Be still before Him, listen, and let the Word saturate your thoughts and your heart.
  
• Tell – Write in your journal what He has revealed to you, then share with someone what you have learned. Don’t place your light under a basket (Mt 5:15). Remember to have a plan, a place, a purpose (to meet with Him), and finally – PERSEVERE, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t think you have the time, give God the “first fruits” of your day! Early mornings are wonderful in His presence; set your alarm clock 20 minutes earlier.