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Step 1: Be awake to God’s Word to you

Truth: God’s Word has the answers

Read: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Challenge: Knowing Jesus means knowing what He says. The Bible has everything you need to know about life and godliness. Take some time during the day to read your Bible. The book of John is a good place to start. Start slow, read a few verses and think them over. Look for what God has to say to you, promises he makes, or things He says about himself.

Step 2: Be aware of God’s Character

Truth: No matter what, God is good!

Read: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Challenge: If God is truly good and love, then take time to acknowledge that. Write out what’s going on in your life and always remember that God is good and He might be trying to teach you something.

Step 3: Never forget God’s gift to you

Truth: Jesus died for you

Read: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Challenge: In spite of what you do or have done Jesus still died for you. It’s easy to forget this wonderful truth and gift. Salvation comes by faith in this fact: that Jesus died and rose for you. Take time to be thankful and remember what your free gift cost Jesus.

Step 4: Acknowledge Your God

Truth: Take time to talk to God

Read: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Challenge: Our trust and our contentment and everything we need comes from talking to God. Prayer is taking our minds off our problems and giving them to God. Set an appointment three times a day to stop and be quiet and talk to God. Share everything on your heart with Him! (See HOW TO PRAY on back cover.)

Step 5: Be accountable to God’s standards

Truth: Give all of me to love God

Read: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

Challenge: Each day you need to decide who your are going to follow. Yourself (the flesh) or God (the Spirit). God gives His standards in His word. Follow them. Start each day by thanking God for your life, seeking His direction, and committing to follow Him.

Step 6: Act as a servant of God

Read: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Challenge: Following Jesus means caring and loving what He cares for and loves. Jesus loves people, that’s why He died for them. Love people. Look for ways you can love and take care of people. Tell them what God is doing for you.

Step 7: Acquire every resource from God

Truth: Stay connected to Jesus

Read: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Challenge: Following Jesus comes with all His promises and blessings. Never stop growing and receiving from God. Stand firm in your faith. Journal the things you learn from God’s word and delight in His words. Ask God to help you grow!

5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:5-15).

How To Pray

Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:5-15 (see previous page). When praying, use your own words and share what is on your heart.

1. Quiet: Find a private and quiet place to pray. Prayer is between you and God. (vs. 5-6)

2. Faith: God already knows what you need. There are no special words needed. (vs. 7-8)

3. Adoration: Be respectful. Praise God for who He is. He is Holy, Righteous, Majestic. Take time to thank God for who He is. (vs. 9)

4. Align: Tell God you want to follow Him and His plan and serve Him today. Ask God to show you what that is. (vs. 10)

5. Ask: Ask God to provide what you need for today. Thank Him if He has already provided in excess. (vs. 11)

6. Confess & Forgive: They go hand in hand. Ask God to forgive you for where you mess up. Forgive others who mess up and hurt you. (vs. 12 & 14-15)

7. Ask: Again ask God to help keep you and your loved ones from harm, sin, and evil. (vs. 13)

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