Week 6: Drawing Near
Sermon Recap
Drawing near to God means that we seek after God with our whole heart. This is what prayer and fasting is all about. We are not on a hunger strike to force God to do something. We are foolish to presume we can make God do anything. Instead, we are humbling ourselves through prayer and fasting for God to transform us and position us to walk in His perfect will. It is about seeking God with everything in us.
When our hearts are polluted, we develop a hardness toward the things of God. When our hearts become hardened to the things of God, we cannot draw near to God. To draw near to God, I must be purified and emptied of sin and the world. I must also be obedient to the Lord’s work in my life following the leading of the Holy Spirit. And lastly I must love with a sincere love and pure heart.
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
James 4:1-10
II Chronicles 15:1-2
I Peter 1:22
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
What attachments to the World do I need to let go of?
Is there hard-heartedness (insensitivity) or something else hindering me from drawing near to God?
As I dwell in the closeness of God through prayer, praise, and worship, what is He speaking to me or revealing to me lately?
In what way do I feel myself drawing nearer to God?
Prayer
Father in the name of Jesus, I ask you to draw near to me as I draw near to you. Place a great hunger inside of me that desires to draw near to you daily. Keep my heart pure, soft, and humble as I seek you in the quiet place. Teach me to hear your voice and sense the whispers of Your Holy Spirit. I proclaim the promise in your Word that says if I draw near to you, you will draw near to me. Thank you Jesus for that promise. Amen!
Life Application
Schedule time each day with the Lord this week!
Claim the promise of James 4:8 each day as you draw near to God through prayer, praise, worship and reading HIs Word, knowing that when you draw near, He draws near to you!
Allow the Lord to continue to bring anything up in your life that He wants to deal with. Remain humble, allowing God to shape your life.
When we position ourselves before Him, with a willing and humble heart, I promise you will find yourself in the midst of HIs presence often.
Don’t Forget
Morning Prayer (Wednesday’s, 9:00am) - Join in-person or online
Pray for someone to bring with you to Christmas at The Woods Church (Sunday, December 19th)
Additional Resources
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