Essential Jesus Challenge

Pray before reading the Scripture passage.  Remember, you’re beginning a dialog with God—not simply reading a book.  Ask God to help you understand the passage.  Amen! 

Read the passages you have picked out.

Reflect on what you just read and ask yourself:

• What is the main point?
  
• What does it reveal about God or about me?
• Which person is most like me?  Why?
• Which person is least like me?  Why?
• What confuses or challenges me?
• What delights or comforts me?  

Apply to your life what God teaches you and ask yourself: 

• Did the passage contain an example to follow, warning to heed, promise to claim?
  
• How can God’s Word apply to my life today at home, work, school or church?  
• What does God require of me now, in thought, word or deed?
• Who is God calling me to be?

Pray again.  Make your discoveries from the Bible the basis of your prayer time.  Thank God for meeting with you and sharing his Word with you.  Ask God to help you live out and apply what you learned.  Ask him to transform you.    Pray about your own needs and the needs of others.  Thank him for answers to prayers.   Amen!