Establishing a foundational understanding of who God really is and how He wants us to approach and relate to Him helps us develop true intimacy with Him. Everybody has to come to their own decision about God, and through consistent quiet time, we can build a strong personal relationship with the Lord.
How we see God may be one of the most important decisions we’ll ever make. We piece together an idea of Him based on the prayers He didn’t answer, the tragedy He allowed (or caused), the opinions of our friends, and maybe a little bit of Scripture if we were taken to church. Never intending to, we create a patchwork picture of God that may have little resemblance to what God is actually like.
Tools & Challenges for Growth
Scripture Memory:
One of the best ways to grow spiritually is simply by memorizing scripture and praying it back to God. Bury His Word in your heart:
Use the wallpaper below to put on your phone (press + hold your finger on the pic).
Print it to use as a bookmark.
Write it down in your journal or on index cards.
Pray it out loud each day throughout the month.
Challenge yourself to recite it without peeking.
Quiet Time:
Make it your goal to have quiet time 5 times per week.
Suggested Book:
A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Other Book Choices:
None Like Him - Jen Wilkin
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World - Joanna Weaver
Divine Mentor - Wayne Cordeiro
Knowledge of the Holy - A.W. Tozer
The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith - Gretchen Saffles
As you read or when you’re finished with the book, write a summary of the key insights God gave you and any applications to your life. Think through the following questions:
In what ways did God encourage or challenge me through this book?
Are there any new truths I need to apply to my life?
Personal Challenge:
Quiet Time - Make it a goal to have a quiet time five times a week. What that means is up to you, but it should include reading the Bible, journaling, and praying. If you aren’t sure where to start, see the ideas below. Be prepared to discuss how this went, what worked well for you, and whether you can keep this practice up for the whole mentoring season.
Read the First 5 Daily Bible Study App
Follow along with the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer
Read or listen to the Wisdom Hunters daily devotional
Follow one of BibleProject reading plans (or find another plan on YouVersion)
Listen to a podcast like The Bible Recap and read along with it
Marriage Focus (if applicable):
How Well Do You Know Your Husband - Download Here.
Take the true or false test on the download provided. Be honest in your answers…this isn’t a competition. Think about ways you can learn the things you don’t know about your husband in a natural, sensitive fashion. Be prepared to discuss your score, the most glaring things you don’t know about your husband, and what you’re going to do to learn about your husband.
Growth Partner Challenge:
Share how you did on the How Well Do You Know Your Husband test. Did the results surprise you? Then discuss your progress on trying to have five quiet times per week. If you’re struggling here, ask for input that may be helpful in reaching your goal.
Other Resources:
Intimacy with God, A Revive Our Hearts podcast episode
Three Key to Developing Intimacy with God
Why Are Christians Encouraged to Have Daily Quiet Times
Keep Growing:
The Character of God
BibleProject7 Attributes Of God
Louie GiglioWhat Is God Like?
NewSpring ChurchGod Is _______
Life.Church
