Three Critical Discplines
 

Due in part to a recent discussion that I have had with MTD and another with Larry Yates, it was decided that it was time to have a thread that was devoted to the topic of Prayer, Fasting, and the Bible Reading/Study.

There are a multitude of verses that command us to be obedient to these disciplines, however, all too often they are found to be lacking in the life of the Christian, no matter the denominational/theological standing of their church. It is even more critical for those of us who claim to be Oneness Pentecostals to be examples in this area, and especially for those of us who have been called into the ministry.

I am going so that the first in the list should be the reading and study of the Word. It is from this discipline that we can understand how to approach God in prayer and fasting. Obviously, not all will agree with this approach, but one must commence the list somewhere.

Paul wrote to Timothy and stated, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17)

Re: Three Critical Discplines
 

Thank you for creating this Jay...look forward to reading responses. The area of Discipline in general is critical...and I do like the focus on Prayer, Fasting, and Study.

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I agree that reading and studying God's word is the first step to take in a closer relationship with the Lord.

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Very exited about this! This is discipleship.

Re: Three Critical Discplines
 

3 aspects to 'reading' the word.

1. Personal. It would be greatly to a person's advantage to have a personal Bible reading plan, whereby they systematically work through the whole Bible.

2. Family. Every family ought to likewise have a family bible reading plan, whereby the whole family comes together for the reading of God's Word in a systematic way. This will help ensure everyone is reading the Word and also help the younger ones develop the habit of daily, systematic reading of the Word. Helps them become intimately familiar with it.

3. Teaching. While everyone certainly should be attentive to the teaching and preaching of God's Word from elders, teachers, pastors, etc, I also believe that every family should have teaching time as well. Parents are commanded to teach their children the Word of God. A systematic method of doing this would be most helpful.

The web is full of Bible reading plans, so I won't go into that, suffice to say that spending time with the whole family while everyone who is able and willing reads a chapter or two outloud as the rest follow along is not only doable but very productive. It helps bind the family together (especially important for kids) to God and to each other as well.

Basically this has to do with what was once known as 'family worship' or 'the family altar'. It was common in times past for families to gather every day at some stated time to 1. Pray together, 2. sing psalms/hymns, and 3. Read the Word preferably with the father teaching the Word.

It is not necessary to go all indepth, it is often just necessary to explain the meanings of words and terms. Furthermore, a period of question and answer ('stump the chump') can be had as the children (or whoever) ask dad questions about what was read or anything else, and then the family searching the scriptures together for the Biblical answer.

But I do believe a systematic approach to reading is far preferable to a random hit or miss approach.

By practicing reading the Word (and praying as well) as a family, it helps build each person's own personal disciplined habits of spending time with God and each other in the context of the new covenant.

Re: Three Critical Discplines
 

I believe that prayer, fasting, and the Bible reading/study are all necessary for healthy Christian growth into sanctification.

Through prayer we align our minds with the mind of Christ.
Through prayer & fasting we empty ourselves and are filled with the power of God.
Through Bible reading/study we get to know the mind of God.

He gave His life for us, to take our lives from us, so that he might live His life through us.

Re: Three Critical Discplines
 

This was very similar to a rather vague thought that I had concerning this as well. However, you have expressed it far better than I could. I believe that this is a neglected portion of this. It is definitely time to take the commands of Deut. 3-9. Could it be that young people are leaving the church because the only times that they hear anything about the Bible, or the commands and ways of God are during the two hours they are in church on Sunday morning (6 hours total if you are faithful to every service including the mid-week).

Further, by teaching the the Word to the next generation, we are reaffirming it to ourselves as well. If we are faithful to do these things and pass them on faithfully, we may never have to again hear the statement, "And there rose up a generation that knew not the Lord."

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Jay, I haven't stopped thinking about this since this morning. It speaks to me on a deep level. I am again reminded of how I have allowed myself to slip in this area of personal spiritual disciplines. We all talk about revival. It begins here.

All true revival is personal. Revival is about cleansing, restoring, and renewing each individual believer as well as reaching new potential converts with the message of the Gospel. Jesus said that He came to seek and to save those who are lost. In our day, that could include those who are already members of or who are already attending a church.

Preparation is key to personal revival. First of all, do we know that we need revival? Let us check our attitudes. The Apostle Paul said that he was forgetting what lies behind but was pressing on to what lies ahead. He died daily to self. He did not consider that he had arrived. If we are living on this earth then we need revival, continually.

Secondly, are we abiding in the Word of God, the Holy Bible? Why read about the Bible without reading the Bible? We need to receive daily the ingrafted word which is able to save our souls. We should read our Bibles the way we read our newspapers, with regularity, focus and intensity. There is no strength apart from the Word. We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Read it slow. Read every word. And read it as if you are seeing it for the first time.

Thirdly, are we abiding in God’s presence. Is our life and our prayer life the same? Or do we so compartmentalize our lives so as to keep God in His place and less directly involved in our daily living? Are we dealing with our flesh through fasting?

Personal revival is simple. Too simple. God wants to revive us if we show that we are sincere:
If you seek me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Why don't we all commit afresh to seek God now? Commit to a daily walk with Him in Christ. Find prayer partners. Get behind the veil.

The following links may be helpful to those looking for motivation and encouragement:

A Call to Anguish by David Wilkerson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayYizi9TZAQ

An interview with Leonard Ravenhill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwtiw7UTj4o

Though both men are gone from us and neither was, in fact, “Oneness” their voices speak to us from the halls of eternity with the force of an Elijah or Jeremiah.

Let’s use this Thread, not for debate but rather let it be a place of encouragement; A place for sharing, experience, strength and hope. Successes, failures, questions; all are welcome here. Let’s save the intense discussions of the finer points of doctrine for the other threads.

Thanks Jay and Michael for reminding us to get back to the basics.

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The apostle James helps us know how to have a close walk with the Lord.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted , and mourn , and weep : let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up . James 4:7-10

If we want to get close to God this is what we must do. I call this "holiness". Prayer and Bible study is the approach to this life.

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Doc those are my Spiritual heroes right there.