Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 24

Remembering What’s Important During the COVID-19 Crisis

Three months ago, the COVID-19 crisis was a sad situation happening on the other side of the world. And now, it’s right here, among us. Our daily life is shaped and constrained by it. In many ways, this pandemic has shaken everything, causing the unimportant and trivial to fall away, revealing what is important and what is not.

In the easiest of times, we cannot control everything. Today, we can control far less. Many of us feel helpless. It’s easy to give in to fear, grief, and discouragement. But, there is another way.

3 Areas of Priority During the COVID-19 Crisis

Whether we are working on the front lines or are stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis, we can find peace and purpose by remembering what’s important. By focusing on those things that are lasting. Here are three areas to prioritize:

People over possessions, personal desires, and isolation

In trying times like these, our fallen human nature wants to look out for ourselves, to take care of our own needs – and even our desires – even if it harms someone else. Hoarding essential goods is a recent example. Another is flaunting the stay-at-home orders and putting others’ health at risk. Instead, let’s follow God’s command to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others” (Philippians 2:4). Share with those in need. Go out of our way to protect the health and well-being of others. And purposefully foster your relationships. We have incredible tools available today that allow us to connect with others even with the current social distancing restrictions. Utilize them. Have video chats with friends and family. While it’s no substitute for real face-to-face it’s a life line for them and for you until this is over.

Spiritual over physical

Granted, there are lots of things we could worry about right now – our physical health, our savings, our jobs, our future plans. But, worry won’t change any of these physical circumstances. Therefore, let’s focus on our spiritual health and well-being. Besides, it’s much more important any way. Here are some ways we can do that:

Cooperate with God as He works through this trial to refine our faith. Lean in and learn to trust Him more. Ask Him to use this current difficulty to reveal your sinful attitudes, selfish motivations, and more. (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
Stay in God’s Word – or get back in God’s Word. (See “4 Spiritual Benefits of God’s Word.“)
Pray and take our worries, fears, and concerns to the One who has all power and authority!
Encourage others with God’s truth. (See “COVID-19 Prayer Guide” and  “I Choose to Truth God’s Truth Over My Emotions”)

Eternal over temporal

Yes, this COVID-19 crisis is dire. Lives are being lost. Businesses are closing. As difficult as these losses are, they are still temporary in the scope of eternity. Many people are searching for answers right now. Therefore, let us shift our focus to things that are eternal. Even though we have limited understanding, we can trust that God is working in and through this crisis to bring about His ultimate, eternal purposes (Isaiah 46:8-10). He is fulfilling His plans for redemption and restoration. Let’s join Him in His work. Let’s point the church back to Jesus. Let’s share the Gospel with those who don’t know Him.

What has captured your attention during the COVID-19 crisis? What can you do today to focus on what’s important?

 

 

 

 

Remembering What’s Important During the COVID-19 Crisis by Kathy Howard.

COVID-19 Prayer Guide

Yesterday, we learned the COVID-19 crisis will get worse before it gets better. According to models, COVID-19 won’t peak for another two weeks. As a result, President Trump extended the social distancing order until the end of April.

Do you feel helpless in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? I admit, I’ve had those moments. Like many of you, I’m stuck at home. I’m not working in a hospital or a lab helping those infected. I’m not stocking grocery shelves. This morning I thought, “All I can do is pray.” Then God whispered, “You get to pray!”

Prayer is not a last resort. It is not a “since I can’t do anything else, I might as well pray” activity. Prayer is our most powerful weapon against this deadly foe.

This morning, after God’s prompting I began to journal my prayers. As my list grew, I realized a COVID-19 Prayer Guide would be helpful to myself and to others. So, I kept going, adding everything I could think of that we could pray about during this crisis.

I hope this COVID-19 Prayer Guide will be a helpful resource for you and others in the days ahead. I’d love for you to add your prayer ideas in the comments. (Maybe by the end of the week, I can do an updated guide!) Here’s a PDF of the COVID-19 Prayer Guide to download and print.

COVID-19 Prayer Guide
Begin with praise

God you are sovereign and all-powerful. You are able to stop this virus now, but for reasons we cannot understand, You are allowing it to continue and we trust You. You are holy and righteous and all Your acts are just. We ask that Your purposes will prevail.

Ask for God’s intervention:

Lord, we know that you see everything happening here and care about every person. We ask that You will extend Your mercy and grace to all. Stop COVID-19 in its tracks. Stop the spread and eliminate its threat. Work in ways that display Your power and bring glory to Your name.

Pray for yourself. Ask God to:

Search your heart and reveal any areas of selfishness and greed that have resulted from the pressures of this crisis
Build your trust in God more and decrease your worry, anxiety, and fear
Increase your faith in this time of trial
Show you how you can encourage, support, and help others

Pray for our government leaders as they navigate this massive challenge. Ask God to:

Help President Trump & his staff, the 50 governors & their staffs, congress, mayors, and county judges
Give them full and accurate information
Give them wisdom, insight, and discernment to properly use the information
Protect their health, give them physical energy and emotional strength
Foster unity, cooperation, humility, good communication, and unselfishness as they work together

Pray for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers. Ask God to:

Protect them and their families from the virus
Give them physical energy, courage, and emotional strength
Provide the equipment, tools, and supplies they need
Provide adequate PPEs (personal protection equipment)
Strengthen them spiritually and provide chaplains for support

Pray for medical researchers and scientists. Ask God to:

Provide physical energy and mental acuity
Work through them to provide effective treatment for COVID-19
Give them wisdom to produce a fully effective vaccine in record time
Provide the capability of producing and distributing this vaccine to meet the need

Pray for individuals and families. Ask God to:

Encourage everyone to heed the seriousness of this situation, obey authorities, and adhere to the social distancing guidelines
Protect the most at-risk and vulnerable like the elderly and immune-compromised
Reduce stress and its effects on families like physical abuse and substance abuse
Provide for those who have lost jobs and are struggling financially
Help families adjust to new schedules and for home schooling needs
Comfort those who’ve lost loved ones during this time
Deepen family relationships

Pray for spiritual leaders, pastors, ministers, lay leaders, and churches. Ask God to:

Protect and build their faith
Show them ways to maintain the teaching and community of the local church
Wisdom for helping support their local communities
Give them creative ways to share the Gospel with a hurting world
Show them how to support community leaders
Provide financially for our spiritual leaders and the local church

Pray for “group-living” situations like nursing homes, assisted living, & prisons. Ask God to:

Give administrations wisdom in protecting their facilities
Show staffs how to prevent bringing the virus into the facility
Comfort family and loved ones that cannot visit

Pray for colleges, universities, and school districts. Ask God to:

Give teachers wisdom and creativity for distance learning
Provide needed devices and wifi for students
Help administrators build distance learning programs and support their teachers
Provide all resources and help needed to finish the school year

Pray for the US economy. Ask God to:

Give US and state governments innovative ways to support and protect small businesses
Give the federal government wisdom in how to best help large industries who are most impacted
Give small business owners wisdom to best manage their finances and ingenuity and creativity for generating revenue and retaining employees
Help non-essential & entertainment business/industry to survive this crisis – hotels, airlines, sports, cinemas, theaters, etc

Pray for essential support services. Ask God to:

Establish and maintain sufficient distribution channels for medical supplies and food
Increase production of ventilators, protective gear, and other equipment
Provide trucks and drivers for shipping
Strengthen and protect grocery store personnel
Help grocery stores find effective policies and procedures to protect themselves and shoppers
Strengthen, protect, & encourage community support services like USPS, garbage services, utility services, and internet providers

Pray for governmental agencies and departments on the front line. Here are a few that need our prayers:

COVID-19 Task Force, Vice-President Mike Pence (chairman) – members list
Department of State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Director Robert Redfield
Department of Health & Human Resources
Department of Homeland Security
Food and Drug Administration
Department of Education
List of all government agencies involved and what they’re doing

Pray for Law Enforcement and first responders:

Your local police, fire, EMTs
County sheriff offices
State police
Federal Bureau of Investigation
All branches of military

I would love for you to add your thoughts, prayers, and ideas in the comments below. What have I missed?

Other posts about prayer you may find helpful:

“The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer”
“21 Spiritual Prayers for Other Christians”
World Vision Coronvirus Prayer helps

COVID-19 Prayer Guide by Kathy Howard.

4 Steps to Embrace God’s Peace

The current world situation is unprecedented for our generation. Illness, unemployment, and economic struggle fill the news. Every day, the stories about the impact of COVID-19 only seem to get worse. It’s so easy for us to succumb to fear and worry. Where is the peace Jesus promised?

Ironically, on the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, He spoke these words:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   John 14:27, 16:33

So, where is the peace Jesus promised?

The world would define “peace” as the absence of war, strife, and disagreement and the presence of harmony, order, and security. But I don’t see much of this kind of “peace” in the world today. And we won’t until Jesus returns.

Thankfully, the peace Jesus gives doesn’t depend on the state of the world. Even in the midst of war, we can be at peace. We can be free from worry and fear. We can be content in every physical situation and circumstance. This is the peace Jesus gives.

#Peace of Jesus is #freedom from #worry and #fear and #contentment in every circumstance
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God’s peace is always available to His children no matter what is going on in the world around us. All we have to do is reach out and receive it. But how?

4 Steps to Embrace God’s Peace

In his letter to the Christians in Philippi (Philippians 4:6-13), the apostle Paul shows us how to live in the peace Jesus offers, no matter the circumstances.

Pray about Everything – Worried, anxious, or concerned about a need or situation? Pray about it. Prayer focuses our hearts and minds on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Prayer pushes out worry (Philippians 4:6-7).
Practice Gratitude – We humans tend to allow the negative and difficult things in our lives to rise to the top. We forget God’s abundant blessings and His activity in and around our lives. Purposefully focusing on what God has done for us in the past helps us rely on His future provision (Philippians 4:6)
Guard your Thoughts – All throughout the day, our minds are bombarded with negativity, gossip, dissension, selfishness, and even smut. This will rule our thoughts and shape our attitudes unless we discipline ourselves to fill our minds with things that are “excellent and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8-9).
Rely on God’s Strength – Our culture fosters discontentment. It seems no matter how much we have we want more. The problem is not the amount of our stuff but instead the amount of our desire. No matter how much or how little we have we can find the peace of contentment when we lean on God for strength (Philippians 4:12-13).

#Peace in #Contentment: the problem is not the amount of our stuff but the amount of our desire
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#Peace that #Jesus gives, not the world. #Prayer pushes out worry
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Do you struggle with fear, worry, or anxiety? Do you believe you can experience the peace of Jesus in today’s world?

You might like these related posts:

3 Reasons to Thank God when you don’t feel Blessed
What are you feeding your mind?
5 Reasons Real Prayer is Hard

 

4 Steps to Embrace God’s Peace by Kathy Howard.

Bible Study Resources for Staying at Home

Many of us are stuck at home. Our churches and Bible study groups are not gathering. But in this time of crisis, it’s more important than ever that we need to cling to God and stay in His Word.

Below is a list of some free resources of mine I’d love for you to make use of. Plus, I’d love to hear from you. How can I help you stay in God’s Word? How can I encourage you? Comment on this post or contact me through my website contact page.

FREE BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES & DISCIPLESHIP HELPS

“Reading the Bible Together” Facebook Group – This private group is a place of encouragement and enrichment for women. For 2020, we are using a reading plan that works through one Bible book at a time. We will begin a new book – 1 Samuel – on Monday, March 23rd. This plan has readings for 5 days a week, giving you two days of “grace” time to catch up when needed. The daily readings and discussion questions will be posted at 5:30am each morning, Monday – Friday. Membership approval requires you answer three questions, so watch for that. 

Fruit of the Spirit: Plant, Cultivate, & Grow – This 6-session Bible study will takes us on a slow, easy walk through Galatians 5:16-25 to help us foster the growth of spiritual fruit in your life. Whether we need some major pruning or just a little shaping up, all of us could benefit from studying and applying what God’s Word says about the fruit of the Spirit. Each session of the study will help us Plant God’s truth in our hearts, Cultivate our own life to receive that truth, and take action to help it Grow! All 6 sessions are free, downloadable PDFs.

Growing Up Together: A 9-Session Study of Ephesians – Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus is a beautiful declaration of God’s grace working in our lives. From salvation, throughout our earthly life, and into eternity, God graciously works in us to bring us to our full potential in Christ. In this study through the book of Ephesians, we will discover God’s purpose, power, and plan for living the abundant life in Christ as individuals and as the local church. The introduction and all 9 sessions are free, downloadable PDFs.

Before His Throne – This Bible study leads you on a 9-week journey through the book of Malachi to discover what godly fear looks in our daily lives and how this biblical attitude will help you find deeper intimacy with God. Sadly, I can’t off the book free. The book is available in print, but in light of current circumstances, ebook will probably be easier & faster to get. The publisher’s site has a link to various ebook sources. I also have FREE RESOURCES that will add to the study experience. Here on my site is free large group teaching videos and printable listening guides for each session. Scroll down to the end of this page to find them.

FREE Discipleship Resources – There is also lots of free discipleship helps, tools, and tips on this site to keep you growing spiritually during this time. Bible reading plans, Scripture memory tips & plans, prayer helps, and more. I hope you will make use of them.

 

 

Bible Study Resources for Staying at Home by Kathy Howard.

Fruit of the Spirit: 6-Session Bible Study

Fruit of the Spirit: Plant, Cultivate, and Grow is a 6-session Bible study that will help foster spiritual fruit in your life. God intends for us, His children, to bear fruit. According to Jesus, when we follow Him closely our lives will produce “much” fruit (John 15:5).

Many of us are familiar with the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians chapter 5 – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – but is the Spirit’s fruit evident in our lives? Are our lives producing an abundant harvest or are we in serious need of some spiritual fertilizer?

Whether we need some major pruning or just a little shaping up, all of us could benefit from studying and applying what God’s Word says about the fruit of the Spirit. This free study will take you on an easy stroll through Galatians 5:16-25.

Each session of the study you will Plant God’s truth in your hearts, Cultivate your own life to receive that truth, and take action to help it Grow! Here are a few things you’ll learn in Fruit of the Spirit: Plant, Cultivate, Grow

What are the characteristics of a “fruitless” life?
What does it mean to “live by the Spirit?”
Just what is “fruit” anyway?
Am I “fruity?”
What should the fruit of the Spirit look like in my life?
How can I improve my harvest?

Even if you’ve studied the fruit of the Spirit before, this study will be different. If you do the study, I’d love to hear from you about what God is teaching you!

Here are the PDFs for each of the 6 lessons!

Week One: The Proper Climate
Week Two: What is Fruit?
Week Three: The Battle Within
Week Four: Throw Out The Bad Fruit
Week Five: The Walking Dead
Week Six: Beautiful Bountiful Harvest

 

Fruit of the Spirit: 6-Session Bible Study by Kathy Howard.

Who Do You Fear?

The current world circumstances are testing, strengthening, and proving our faith. There are so many things and people that can cause us to fear. Will we give in to fear or will we choose to trust in God?

The following devotional is adapted from God’s “Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotionals Revealing God’s Nature,” the new devotional book by Larry and Kathy Collard Miller. In this 40-day devotional, the Millers share insights from 40 questions God asked in the Old Testament. This excerpt reflects on God’s question in Isaiah 51:12: “Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies?”

Do you ever feel as though someone else has the power to destroy or harm you in some way? It might be physical harm. But more likely it’s emotional harm. The way another person treats us may cause us to feel worthless or unvalued. Their words may make us feel stupid or wrong. Their opinion of us may threaten to harm our reputation.

The temptation to fear other people’s impact on our lives is as old as creation. God addressed this fear in Israel in the book of Isaiah.

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone!” (Isaiah 51:12-13, NLT)

Choose God’s Truth Over Other’s Opinions

The truth is, another’s view of us does NOT determine who we are. Their opinion does NOT establish our value. Human “oppressors” only have the power we give them. When we work to please others or focus on their opinions, we give them power over us. We turn away from the truth that God loves us unconditionally. Even when we make a mistake. God’s consistent love is comforting assurance for our lives! (See “I Choose to Trust God Over My Emotions.”)

How did you feel the last time someone spread gossip or lies about you? In distress, perhaps you forgot the truth that God values and loves you. That you matter to Him. Why do we allow the words of a “mere human” to overshadow God’s truth? People – and their opinions – will wither tomorrow like grass. But God, who makes the grass, is eternal.

Instead of fearing man, let us trust in God. Let us depend on His comfort. Let us receive His assurance that our worth is based in who we are in Christ. We are His chosen, adopted child. No mere human can touch that blessed truth. We are loved and valued and held by God. For Him and for His glory.

Even when man seeks to harm us, no matter how things look in the short term, God’s purposes and plans will prevail. His comfort and love for us never changes.

Are you aware of any people-pleasing tendencies in your life? If so, what attribute of God do you think could help you?

For more information on Larry and Kathy Collard Miller, visit Kathy’s website. View “God’s  Intriguing Questions” on Amazon.

Who Do You Fear? by Kathy Howard.

Are You a Victim of Spiritual Starvation?

Are you a victim of spiritual starvation? Satan doesn’t have to tempt us to wander off into sin to hinder our faith. He simply has to keep us out of God’s Word.

If you don’t feel spiritually healthy. If you aren’t growing in Christlikeness, maybe you’re malnourished. Spiritual starvation will sap our strength, steal our joy, and hinder our witness.

What is spiritual starvation?

Our physical body needs healthy food at regular intervals to keep it functioning properly. Likewise, our souls need a regular intake of God’s Word to thrive. The Bible is our primary way to hear from God. It is our foundation and guide for being God’s child in this world. Without it we’ve closed our ears to God’s voice. We’re walking blind. (See “4 Spiritual Benefits of God’s Word.”)

3 Things that Interfere with Feasting on God’s Word

Busyness – Our culture worships “busyness.” Sadly, we often drink the Kool Aid. We judge our value by the fullness of our calendars. We constantly push the limits God established for us. The result is exhaustion, mediocrity in the multiple things we tackle, and less and less time in God’s Word.
Distractions – Meet Busy’s younger sister. Our world is loud, glaring, and non-stop. Messages and images constantly vie for our attention. The average adult spends 2 ½ hours a day on social media.
Superficiality – Sometimes we just go through the motions of discipleship. We attend church, read our Bibles, and even pray. But it’s all on the surface, just getting it done so we can check a box. We compartmentalize, just giving God a piece of our lives.

Fight Spiritual Starvation

We don’t have to be hungry. We can change our diet. The following “3 Ds” will get us started in the right direction.

Decide – What is truly important? Is it one more soccer game, one more committee, or more play date. Or do you want Jesus? If you truly want to know and follow Jesus then something has to change.
Determine – Take a good honest look at your calendar. Maybe keep a log for a few days to see just how much time you spend on distractions and time wasters. What will you say “no” to so you can say “yes” to time with God? If distractions are the problem, set some time limits, turn off the phone. Whatever it takes. (See “3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word.”)
Discipline – Discipleship takes purposeful, intentional effort. Set some spiritual goals and strategies. (See “5 Tips for Setting Spiritual Growth Goals.“) Find an accountability partner. Establish a routine for time with God and stick to it. And don’t give up if you miss a day or two. Just begin again. (See “11 Tips for A Quality Quiet Time with God.”)

What about you? Are you malnourished? What is the cause?

Are You a Victim of Spiritual Starvation? by Kathy Howard.

3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word

The people on the street crowded in tight around us. They stretched out their arms desperately wanting to snag a copy for themselves. They displayed a hunger for God’s Word I’d never seen before. In just a few hectic days, our short-term mission team gave away 10,000 Bibles to the spiritually hungry citizens of Moscow.

That was September 1991, roughly two weeks after an attempted coup in the USSR. Bible distribution in the Soviet Union had been limited and closely monitored for nearly a century. Only a relative few enjoyed the privilege of owning a Bible. But countless others longed for one.

Do you hunger for God’s Word like that? If you didn’t have a Bible would you stand in a line for hours to possess one?

Whether or not we acknowledge the source of our hunger, we humans long to connect with our Creator, to intimately know the God of the universe. God satisfies this spiritual hunger of our souls through His inspired Word. He reveals Himself, His character, and His ways in the Bible.

We Crave What We Eat

When we limit our intake of Scripture, our desire diminishes. But the more we feed on God’s Word, the more our appetite will increase. God Himself will grow our hunger if we step our in obedience to foster it. At first, this may mean more discipline than desire. But if we faithfully pursue a regular time in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will bless our obedience with a passion for Scripture. Soon our discipline will give way to desire.

My love affair with chocolate helps me understand this phenomenon. The more I indulge in its dark, creamy sweetness, the more of it I want. But the opposite is also true. The more I deprive myself of enjoying this special treat, the less I think about it.

3 Steps to Foster Our Hunger for God’s Word

These three steps will get us started in the right direction on an ongoing journey to deepen our desire for feasting on God’s Word and experiencing the glorious benefits.

Make a Commitment – Yes, making a commitment to be in the Bible regularly and sticking to it will be hard, especially at first. It requires discipline and sacrifice. You may have to adjust your schedule or give up something, but the benefits are eternally great. (Quiet Time Tips) Also, give yourself some grace. If you miss a day or two – or more – start again.
Develop a Plan – A haphazard approach to Bible intake will yield haphazard results. Time in the Bible should be planned and purposeful. Choose a reading plan that will be challenging but not overwhelming. If you don’t already read your Bible several times a week, don’t try to tackle the “Read the Whole Bible in a Year” plan. Evaluate where you are now and select a plan that is a step beyond that. Many plans schedule five days of reading a week, which gives you two days to “catch up.” I occasionally have days when I let life take over and miss my time with God. You will too.
Savor & Soak – Like a slow, steady rain on parched ground, taking our time as we read God’s Word can give its truths time to penetrate the hard crust of our hearts. “Slow” does not mean “less frequently.” Slow refers to our approach. Instead of continuing our often fast-paced, surface reading of God’s Word, let’s take the time to seriously contemplate what God is saying to us through His Word. Pick a reading plan that will work for the amount of time you have each day. In addition to reading God’s Word, we can also meditate on it, allow it to prompt prayer, pray it back to God, and memorize it.

Do you long to long for God’s Word? Give God the opportunity to create that hunger in you. Make a commitment. Develop a plan. Savor and Soak!

Where are you in your journey with a love affair with God’s Word? Does it still feel like discipline? Can you just not get enough? Or are you somewhere in between?

You may also be interested in this post: 4 Truths the Bible Teaches About Itself

3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word by Kathy Howard.

Free Discipleship Tools to Encourage Spiritual Growth

God’s greatest desire for every Christian is that we grow to look more and more like Jesus. God cares greatly about our physical need and circumstances, but He cares even more about our spiritual growth, our eternal good. (For more on this see “What’s the ‘Good’ of Romans 8:28?”) That’s why He calls us to “train ourselves for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Our spiritual growth – the big, fancy word is “sanctification” – is a joint effort between the believer and the Holy Spirit. Only God Himself can bring spiritual transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18), but He will not do it without our obedient cooperation and disciplined effort. Our spiritual growth needs both our submission to the Spirit’s work and purposeful commitment and ongoing diligent effort. (See “Holiness Training Partner” for more on this.) As we faithfully commit to pursue godliness, the Spirit faithfully works through our commitment to bring growth.

Training Tools for Spiritual Growth

Thankfully, God has given us some incredible discipleship tools to help us in our commitment to spiritual growth. These “spiritual disciplines” include things like Bible intake, prayer, service, worship, stewardship, fasting, and more.

To foster my own spiritual growth, I have both collected and developed a number of discipleship tools and resources. I would love for you to use any and all of these tools and pray they will help and encourage you like they have me. Below is a list of some of my favorites. For even more, visit the FREE RESOURCES page.

My Favorite Discipleship Tools for Spiritual Training

The following are all tools I use myself. I hope they will encourage and help you!

The 4 R Bible Study Method –  This method is a simple way to dig deeper into any Bible passage. You don’t need any extra resources to Read, Record, Recognize, and Reflect. (PDF available)
Bible Highlighting – This system of marking or coloring-coding a Bible passage can help you dissect it for more effective study and comprehensive understanding.
PROBE Questions for Biblical Meditation – The PROBE acronym can help you contemplate and more deeply reflect on any Bible passage. (Free printable)
Book-by-Book Bible Reading Plan 2020 – This 52-week, 5-day per week plan covers 16 Bible books, alternating between Old and New Testament books.
“Reading the Bible Together” – This private Facebook group is for women who want encouragement & accountability to stay in God’s Word. Kathy uses the 2020 Book-by-Book plan. All women are welcome and can jump in any time!
The 5 P’s of the Lord’s Prayer – E ach “P” word represents a particular type or kind of prayer found in Jesus’ prayer example. The “Ps” is simply an easy to remember the scope our prayers should cover overall.
Scripture Memory Tips – Yes, Scripture memory is hard for many of us. But it is more than worth the effort! These tips will get you started on the road to success!
7 Activities to Help You Memorize Scripture – These various activities can aid your Scripture memory by tapping into different learning styles.
Salvation Basics Scripture Memory Plan – Want to be ready to share the Good News of Jesus anytime and anywhere? Start with these verses!

One More Great Discipleship Opportunity

The ENJOY GOD’S WORD Online Bible Study Conference 2020 goes live March 5-7. For just $49, you can be encouraged and equipped to better study and more fully enjoy God’s Word for yourself. AND, you will have lifetime access to the solid teaching from more than a dozen experienced Bible teachers. FIND OUT MORE or GET YOUR TICKET NOW. 

Please make use of these resources! And again, for even more, visit the FREE RESOURCES page!

What is your favorite discipleship tool? Would love for you to share those in the comments!

Free Discipleship Tools to Encourage Spiritual Growth by Kathy Howard.

4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use

I love to be in God’s Word regularly, but I need a Bible study method that’s simple enough to use everyday. That’s why I use the 4 R Bible study method. Maybe it will help you too.

There is not just one right Bible study method. Depending on your goal, you can dive into God’s Word in lots of different ways. For instance, you can do a word, character, or topical study. You can dissect and ingest a small passage, a chapter, or an entire book. What I share below is essentially what I do every day when I open the Bible, whether I have a few minutes or a big chunk of time. This “study” method will also help you glean the truth God has for you and your life today.

There are some general guidelines for all and any Bible study. For instance, we must keep the biblical genre and the context of the passage in mind. We must seek to discover the original meaning of the passage. There are infinite ways to apply a passage, but only one meaning. And, to keep the proper perspective, we must always keep in mind that God’s Word is first and foremost about God. (For more info, see “Are You Reading the Bible All Wrong?”)

This Bible study method below is a basic way to dig a little deeper into any biblical passage. You don’t need extra tools or resources. All you need is your Bible, a pen, a notebook or journal, and a humble, teachable attitude. The “R” repetition makes it easy to remember! You can literally take it anywhere! (Click here to get a printable PDF of the 4 R Bible study method.)

4 R Bible Study Method
1. READ

Have a plan– A reading plan will help with consistency and context cutting down on frustration with your daily time with God. It’s always easier to begin reading if you know where you’ll be reading when you open your Bible. (I have several free Bible reading plans right here on my site. Check out the Free Resources page! And… If you’d like some structure, encouragement and accountability in your daily Bible reading, check out my Facebook group, “Reading the Bible Together.”)
Read prayerfully– Before you begin, ask God to teach you. Ask Him to open your mind and heart to not only understand what you’re reading, but also to be willing to apply His truth to your life. Keep praying while you read! Ask God questions about what you’re reading. He wants you to understand.
Read multiple times– God’s Word is packed with wonderful things. It’s easy to miss details and even deep spiritual truth with just one reading. Choose a Bible reading plan that has daily readings manageable enough to give you time to read the passage two or three times.
Read in different translations – If you have time, reading in different translations will also increase understanding. (For more about Bible translations or for help choosing a new Bible see “3 Steps to Help You Choose a New Bible.”)

2. RECORD

Please don’t ask what the Scripture “means to you.” (Major pet peeve by the way…) Every Scripture passage in the Bible has ONE meaning – what God meant when the Scripture was first written. Although there is just one meaning, God’s Word has endless application. Our task in this step is to discover through observation of the text the original meaning of the passage. (Side note: Before you begin observing, make sure you understand the context of the passage. If you aren’t sure what this mean, check out this post: “4 Things to Consider for Biblical Context.”)

Things to Record

Although you may not find every one of the following in every passage, here are some things you should look for in each passage:

Truths about God– The Bible is first and foremost a book about God. He is everywhere – in every passage, on every page. It may be blatant or subtle, but He will be there. Looks for truths about His nature, His character, His ways, and His purposes.
Key Words & Phrases– Repetition in God’s Word is not accidental. If you see words and phrases repeated, take note. God is trying to point to something important.
Important facts – Mark any facts you see in the passage that will help you understand what’s happening. Things like people, places, numbers can be key to comprehension.
Commands – The Bible is full of commands. Some are one-time commands for specific individuals at a specific time. Others are for all God’s people for all time. For instance, “love one another” is applicable to us today!
Spiritual principles– There will be a lot of overlap here with “truths about God.” However, eternal spiritual principles impact our daily lives. For instance, Psalm 1 teaches that those who meditate constantly on God’s Word will thrive spiritually and live fruitful lives for God’s Kingdom.
Contrasts, comparisons, & word picture – All these literary devices shed light on the spiritual truths in the passage. Therefore, making a list or a table could help your comprehension.

Depending on your preference, you can mark these in your Bible, takes notes in a journal, or record them in some other way. I use a journaling Bible with an extra-wide, lined journaling column. I make study notes there and I use a highlighting system to help me observe the passage. (For more on my highlighting method see “Bible Highlighting for More Effective Study.”)

3. RECOGNIZE 

Read the passage again and look back over your written observations. Ask God to show you what eternal truths and principles this passage teaches. For instance, what do you learn about God, His character, and His ways? What do you learn about Jesus and what it means to follow Him? What do you learn about the church, salvation, a life of faith, godly relationships?

 4. RESPOND

Knowledge of God’s Word is never the end game. Application that leads to spiritual transformation is always our goal. So, once we’ve read and understood, let’s ask God to show us how to apply these truths to our lives. The acronym PROBE can help us apply these truths to our lives:

Prayer – Is there something in the passage I can pray for myself or others?
Repentance – Is there a sin or area of disobedience I need to confess and turned away from?
Obedience – Is there an action I need to take or a decision I need to make?
Believe – Is there something I need to believe about God?
Express – Is there a praise or thanksgiving I need to voice to God?

What’s your favorite way to study the Bible?

4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use by Kathy Howard.