timhawkins DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING
S E R I E S
BOOK
3
MY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
Tim Hawkins DT 3.indd 1
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SERIES
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DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING Understand your new life Book 1 My new life God has called you to an exciting new life following him. This book will show you what God has already done to ensure that you will keep growing as his precious child. Ten studies that cover the fundamentals of being both a disciple and a disciple-maker.
Deepen your relationship These books will help you to understand and love our magnificent God, and show you how to deepen your relationship with him through prayer around his word. Book 2 My awesome God
Book 3 My intimate relationship
Nine studies exploring the character of this marvellous God who calls us to relate to him. We investigate the enormity of God as Father, Son and Spirit.
Ten studies designed to ground the growing disciple in the immense blessings of a life of soaking in God’s word, and in prayer.
Live as a faithful disciple Now you are ready to put it all into action in your personal walk with God, and in your active ministry to others. Book 4 My mission from God These nine studies explore the tasks that God has left for us here on planet earth. We look at being a witness, an ambassador, and a faithful manager of God’s gifts and blessings.
Book 5 My personal obedience These eleven studies focus on areas of personal obedience, and challenge the disciple to ‘put on’ the new life that is theirs in Christ Jesus. 1
Tim Hawkins DT 3.indd 1
10/12/12 12:36 PM
SERIES
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DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING
Discipleship is not just a series of Bible studies. It is a lifetime of learning how to be totally committed to Jesus in every area of your life. Discipleship Training isn’t just a matter of ‘going through a course’. Your main training as a disciple will be through the learning relationship that you have with your trainer. Everything in this course will need to be put into practice in your life. The aim of this training is to help you grow as a disciple so that you will be better equipped to ‘go and make disciples’.
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Book 3 My intimate relationship
Tim Hawkins DT 3.indd 2
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contents
BOOK 3 MY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP 1 Hear and read God’s word 5 2 Study and memorise God’s word 7 3 Meditate on God’s word 9 4 Obey God’s word 13 5 The importance of prayer 15 6 Does God answer my prayers? 17 7 How should I pray? 19 8 Enjoying God in praise 21 9 Praying biblically 25 10 Instant replay 27 My time with God chart 32 Sermon notes 34
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STUDY
1
Hear and read God’s word
Do you know why it’s so important to get into God’s word and get God’s word into you? Let’s see what happens when we read and hear from the Bible.
1 What can you learn about the importance of God’s word from these verses?
a) 2 Timothy 3:16–17 b) Psalm 19:7–11 c) Hebrews 4:12–13
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d) Romans 15:4 e) 2 Peter 1:20–21 f) 1 Thessalonians 2:13
2 What does God say about reading and hearing his word? a) 1 Timothy 4:13 b) Revelation 1:3
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Hearing God’s word What opportunities do you have to hear God’s word faithfully taught each week? (Try using the Sermon notes sheet at the back of the book.)
Reading God’s word What is your current plan for regularly reading God’s word? (Check back to your plan in Study 1.7 ‘I’m spending time with God’.)
What can you do to gain more from your Bible reading? (Don’t forget the My time with God charts at the back of the book.)
Memory Verse All Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. The My 3 friends space below is for you to write the names of friends you are praying will come to know Jesus, so you can continue praying for them.
My 3 friends …
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Book 3 My intimate relationship
Tim Hawkins DT 3.indd 6
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STUDY
2
Study and memorise God’s word
In our last study we looked at the importance of God’s word for his disciples. We looked at two of the vital ways that you need to take God’s word and make it part of your life: Hearing and Reading God’s word. Now let’s look at two more ways of soaking in his word.
Studying God’s word 1 What do these verses teach you about studying God’s word? a) Acts 17:11 b) Ezra 7:10 c) Luke 6:40 d) John 5:37–40 (look for the warning!)
What do you think is the main difference between READING and 2 STUDYING God’s word?
3 What opportunities do you have each week to really study God’s word?
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Memorising God’s word 4 From these verses, what can you learn about the advantages of memorising Scripture?
a) Colossians 3:15–17 b) Psalm 37:30–31 c) Psalm 119:11 d) Matthew 4:3–4
5 How have the Scriptures you have memorised so far been of help to you?
Over the next two studies we are going to memorise the whole of Psalm 1. It gives a fantastic picture of what it means to have your whole life controlled by God’s word. We’ll begin with the first three verses and add the final three verses in the next study.
Memory Verse Soaking in God’s word
Psalm 1:1–3
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
My 3 friends …
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Book 3 My intimate relationship
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