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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20

Read: Matthew 18:19-20
Listen: Matthew 18

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Throughout 2023, we focused on spiritual practices to deepen our relationship with God and mold and train us into Jesus’s character. This week, we will review each practice and encourage you to keep growing in them in the next year.

SOLITUDE is withdrawing temporarily in privacy to be alone with God. Jesus spends regular time alone with the Father throughout his ministry. He withdraws to solitary places to pray, rest and listen to the Father. As crowds press in on him and his disciples, he calls his disciples away to a quiet place to rest and be alone. Solitude helps us regain God’s perspective, listen for his voice, express our faith and trust in him and seek his will about something in our lives. Regular solitude deepens our dependence on God and grows our character more like Jesus.

PRAYER is a conversation with God. Prayer is a privilege and an invitation to a deeper relationship with him. Examples of prayer fill the Bible. Jesus’s disciples see him regularly praying and ask him to teach them to pray, too. Jesus responds with what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. We can trust that when we come to God wanting to pray, the Holy Spirit will teach and help us (Romans 8:26-27). We will spend the rest of our lives learning and growing in our conversations with God through prayer.

COMMUNITY is the intentional connection among God’s people to grow together in faith and spiritual practices. Throughout Scripture, we see God speak and work through individuals AND groups of his people. Our intentional connection to other believers helps us grow and become more like Christ. Our faith deepens, and we model the difference Jesus makes when we practice spiritual disciplines in community. Jesus urges his followers to gather and seek his will, promising to be present with them (Matthew 18:20).

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Community is one great way to keep growing our spiritual practices. Small Groups will be starting again in January, and this is a great time to join a group. Find more information and sign up at adabible.org/joinagroup.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

December is CELEBRATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.