Park Night: Attentiveness
Hey everyone! We are so happy you are joining us for some fun at the park! Along with playing some volley ball and other games, we also want to encourage you to follow up with the spiritual aspect of being in a small group. So, we have put some words down here for you to read though… on your own or with someone else! The bible verses are linked to ‘bible.com’! So there really is nothing you need to do besides start reading below.
Week 2 is focused on ATTENTIVENESS.
How to be attentive to God.
Spent time with God
The first step in learning to be attentive to God is to spend time with Him. God gives us precise instruction on how to go about arranging for a time to be alone with Him.
Seek the face of God
When God turns His face upon us, He is please with our motives and purposes in seeking Him. When His face shines upon us, we are able to become more like Him and will receive the desire and power to do His will.
Our primary goal in getting alone with God is to seek His face.
Remove thoughts that distract from God
While we seek to be attentive to God, thoughts will often come to our minds. If we ask God for wisdom, He will reveal which thoughts are not from Him and which thoughts are from Him, such as clearing our consciences or fulfilling a promise. Write these thoughts down.
Develop a hunger for the word of God
God compares the Bible to milk for a newborn baby. This analogy emphasizes the vital necessity of daily Bible reading. Many have found that making a vow to read the Bible at least five minutes every day has given them the consistency they have needed to grow in the Lord and to be attentive to God.
Meet early in the morning with God
Jesus rose “up a while before day” and became attentive to His Heavenly Father.
David said, “my voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer into thee, and I will look up.” Psalm 5:3
Use fasting to concentrate on God
By going without food for one or more meals and devoting that time to Bible reading and prayer, we become far more attentive to the Boise of the Lord speaking through scripture. God also promises to reward those who fast for this purpose.
Fasting provides an excellent opportunity to memorize and meditate on scripture. Meditation on God’s word brings true success.
Be attentive to your conscience
Check up on your conscience
We are to”...exhort one another daily...lest any...be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”
Daily exhortation requires openness and accountability with parents and others. God also designed the communion table as a regular time of examining the conscience in the presence of God.
FOR THE KIDS
Honor the presence of your parents
Look at the faces of your parents
Look into the eyes of your parents
Affirm the words of your parents
Verbal acknowledgment of their instruction… YES MA’AM! YES SIR!
Remember the words of your parents
