Devoted to Abiding and Obeying

Connection

As you get started, catch up on how y’all are doing since you last met. Celebrate how God has been at work in your lives. Ask how the 40 Days of Devotion are going. Share something meaningful from your times with the Lord.

Vision

Jesus doesn’t just want an hour of your day. He wants to walk with you through all of it. As you keep in step with the Spirit and say yes to what He asks, you’ll find His life, joy and peace growing in you.

Biblical Foundations

Matthew 28.18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, , to the end of the age.”

Romans 8.6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is .

Galatians 5.13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity , but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, , and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live , let us also keep the Spirit.

Questions for Discussion:

1. What gets you excited about walking with Jesus throughout the day?
2. What are the biggest obstacles to "abiding" throughout your day?
3. In what area of your life is God currently calling you to greater obedience?

Modeling

For the Leader: As the discipleship leader, share your own experience with obeying and abiding in Christ throughout the day. Describe practical ways you remind yourself of God's presence, how you respond to His promptings in real-time, and how this has affected your daily life.

Practice

We want to practice abiding in Christ and walking in obedience throughout our day. As part of the 40 Days of Devotion, you'll be guided through practices that help you extend your devotional life into your entire day. This week, also try these:

• Set three reminders. Pick three moments in your day (waking up, lunch, your drive home) to pause and say, “Jesus, I’m here with You. What are You saying?”
• Do the one thing. Write down the one area where you sense God calling you to greater obedience. Take one concrete step in it before we meet again.
• Notice His promptings. When you sense a nudge to encourage someone, pray for someone or let something go, act on it. Jot down what happened.
• Share it. Next time we meet, share one moment when you sensed Jesus with you during the day.