Prepare, pt 2 (Lesson # 6)

Reviewed purpose, actions, and introduced the priority of Jesus: “Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness.”  Also introduced the idea of justice/righteousness in the bible, so we’d know what it means to pursue justice.  (See Luke 11.37-44, especially verse 42)   Returned to review several scriptures that cover the ideas of “pathway” in the bible.  The idea is to help you understand what it means to “make straight” your pathway, or to ‘prepare’ yourself and your field.  The scriptures mentioned are also listed here (in no particular order):   Psalm 27:11;                Psalm 143:10-12; Proverbs 3:1-7;             Proverbs 9:13-18;         Proverbs 15:19; Proverbs 16:17;            Proverbs 6:6-11 Luke 11:4;        Luke 10.2-5;     Luke 3:3-7;       Luke 7.18-30 Matthew 6:13;   Isaiah 26:7-10; Isaiah 40:1-11 Jeremiah 31:9;  Acts 13:6-12;    Revelation 2:12-17;       Romans 13:7-14   Plus, on your own you can find lots of passages that use words like: stumble, fall, path, way, walk, etc.  The bible is loaded with these references, because we are to see our lives as a journey that we walk through.  Much of what is important in life is learning to walk wisely and in paths that make us progressively stronger and more mature.  While we walk, we prepare ourselves, our paths and those who travel with us.    To turn these ideas into action, you’ll need to do a bit of homework.  I introduce you to the “three column” bible study method.  this is where we take a sheet of paper, and lay it landscape, draw two vertical lines so that the paper is divided up into three columns.  In the left column, write out the scripture (using this week each one of those listed above) word for word.  In the middle column, write it out in your own words, and label the far right column “I WILL,” and write down your action items – things you’ll DO.    Remember that discipleship isn’t acquired by classroom education and books … it’s a skill, and you must actually practice.  This “act” part of what is done is important, for without it, you’ll never grow.