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FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
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Leader's Agenda: With Crucial Transitional Language


"Pray without ceasing"

1 Thessalonians 5:17



Transitional Language is Crucial

The Four Step Bible Study moves participants by degrees, in a non-threatening way... to integrate silent prayer and voluntary audible prayer into Bible Study. The goal is for prayer and Bible study to take place concurrently, rather than sequentially.  Then one can learn to live prayerfully... to walk by the Spirit 2


What is transitional language?

Transitional language refers to the words the leader speaks to move the group into the first step and then into each of the remaining four steps.


Much of the transitional language contains scripture. The purpose of the transitional language is to draw participants into interaction with God, rather than mere analysis of God.   


Without this language, the Four Step Bible Study will just be another man made system. So, I prayerfully urge you to memorize the transitional language. If you wish, you may read the transitional words from this guide before each step. I prayerfully admonish you to prayerfully speak these scriptural, transitional words, as you guide participants to God, in each step.


Below, I will present the transitional dialogue for each step. Immediately following the transitional dialogue for each step I will show the step itself. In this way you will see how the entire process flows. As you gain experience leading the Four Step Bible Study in this way, you may make adjustments to fit your particular style, nation, group and culture. May God richly bless you and those you serve!


Please prayerfully continue...



Step 1) Listen Prayerfully 


Transitional Dialogue: Step 1a
"Scripture tells us to pray "without ceasing... at all times... in everything... continually."  1  So every step we take in this meeting will be done prayerfully. Please pray silently with me as I open the meeting in prayer."


Step 1a) Offer silent prayers of agreement as the Group Leader opens the meeting with prayers of praise and requests for understanding.

Transitional Dialogue: Step 1b
"Scripture also tells us to watch in prayer 3. So, we will watch in prayer as we share prayer requests. In other words,  we will all pray silently for the needs of each person as each of us shares prayer requests." 


Step 1b) Pray silently as each person shares prayer requests. 
(If you don't know what to pray, look halfway down the page for "What Can I Pray?".)


Step 2) Read Prayerfully 


Transitional Dialogue: Step 2a
"What version of the Bible do all of you have? Since we aren't all using the same version, we will read silently from Philippians 1:1-8. Verses 1-5 will provide context for the Focus Scripture. Our Focus Scripture today will be verses 6-8." 


Step 2a) Read Today's Scripture silently. 
(Text from subchapter 7.5. Look at the Group Leader when finished.)

Transitional Dialogue: Step 2b
"I will read the Context Scripture to God. The Context Scripture is Philippians 1:1-5. As I read I will change some of the words. For example, I may change the word "God" to "You". That is because I am reading His words to Him. I will also offer words of praise as I read God's words to God."

Step 2b) Read the Context Scripture to God. 
    (Group Leader only. Offer praise while reading.) 

Transitional Dialogue: Step 2c

"Lets go to Step 2c. 


Jesus said...

'Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.'  (Matthew 18:3,4).


So, one must become childlike to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (verse 3). And once one has entered the Kingdom of Heaven, greatness is also achieved by being childlike (verse 4)."


Imagine that your heavenly father wrote a book for you. Imagine also that you are a child, sitting in His lap, reading His book to Him. It's that simple. Come into the intimate presence of your Lord by faith, and then read Philippians 1:6-8 silently to Him. Praise God as you read. This will be awkward at first. Look at me when you are finished."


Step 2c) Read the Focus Scripture to God silently. 
(This may be awkward at first, as new things often are. Look at the Group Leader when finished.) 


Step 3) Discuss Prayerfully 


Transitional Dialogue Step 3a
"In Step 2 we have interacted with God through scripture. Now lets go to Step 3 and interact with the focus passage as a group. We will use three questions to help us do that. The three questions are: What does the focus passage say about man? What does it say about God? What does it say that we can pray?" These questions will help us to focus on what is clearly in the focus passage. So, let's start with the first question: What does the focus passage say about Man?

Step 3a) What does the Focus Scripture say about Man? (Which Verse?)


Transitional Dialogue: Step 3b
"Let's move on to the second question: What does it say about God?"

Step 3b) What does it say about God? 


Transitional Dialogue: Step 3c
"Let's move to the third question: What does it say that we can pray?

Step 3c) What does it say that we can Pray?
    (Praise & Requests)


Transitional Dialogue: Step 3d
"Now let's pray those prayers that we have discussed. We will pray out loud. After several of you have prayed, I will pray.'


Step 4) Pray Scripture 

Offer prayers pertinent to the passage as you read God's words to God. 

(In this step we combine reading to God from step 2 with prayers pertinent to the passage from step 3.) 

a) Leader: Pray First Verse of Focus Scripture Audibly.
b) Members: Pray Focus Scripture.
If it's the first meeting, all members pray the Focus Scripture silently. Otherwise, each member prays one verse audibly. Ask for volunteers.
c) Everyone says Amen!



Hint: For explanations for any step click the arrow at the top right to open the Leader's Guide.



Step 5) Live Prayerfully... Walk by the Spirit!

This step extends beyond the time of today's meeting. 

Scripture tells us that we should pray "without ceasing... at all times... in everything... continually."1 So, it should be no surprise that we are to live prayerfully. 

The most important step in my quest to walk by the Spirit was this: To read scripture in an intimate way. Reading God's words to God is the best way for me to do that at this time.

You can have a joyful intimate time with God every day. Click here to use the Four Step Bible Study in your personal daily devotion.  

The scriptures have shown us what to pray in every occasion. See the section below titled "What Can I Pray?" You will see twenty-five prayers which are endorsed by scripture. If you will prayerfully meditate on those prayer scriptures for many months... until the Holy Spirit has woven those scriptural prayers into your daily life, then you see what it means to "walk by the Spirit."

Prayer is a critical ingredient if you want to walk by the Spirit. Why? We hear the Spirit by prayer (prayers for wisdom, revelation, knowledge of God's will and etc.). We also obey the Spirit by prayer (prayers for greater love, faith, obedience, and etc.). Since it is by prayer that we hear and obey the Spirit, it is by prayer that we "walk by the Spirit." To hear and obey the Spirit is to "walk by the Spirit" (subchapter 4.7).

Many of the things which the Holy Spirit does are listed below under the title "Works of the Holy Spirit." Consider these as you meditate prayerfully on the scriptural prayers in "What Can I Pray?" below. You will see that many of the works of the Holy Spirit are God's answers to your scriptural prayers. 


Explanation of Step 4 

This step may be awkward at first, as new things often are. You read God's words to God in Step 2. Then you offered prayers pertinent to the passage in Step 3. In praying the scripture, we combine those two steps. 


In praying the scripture, we offer prayers pertinent to the passage as we read God's words to God. You may offer praise and thanksgiving. You may request understanding and strength or make other requests for yourself and others. An example of praying scripture is provided below in the section titled "Pray Scripture." 


 As you attempt to pray the scripture you may wonder what you should pray. Twenty-five examples of scriptural prayers are provided in the section below titled "What Can I Pray?"  


a) Pray the Focus Scripture Silently 

Each member will pray the Focus Scripture silently. 


b) Pray the Focus Scripture Audibly 

Various members will pray part of Focus Scripture audibly. The group leader will ask for volunteers. Members may pray any verse they choose. 



What Can I Pray?

Scripture reveals specific things that we can pray. Below are twenty-five examples. The subchapter where each prayer is explained is shown in parenthesis: 


OFFER 

Praise (4.5) 

Thanksgiving (4.5c). 


ASK FOR

Knowledge of God's will (4.2c), 

Enlightened eyesight and revelation (4.2d), 

Power 4.3d) 

Strength (4.3c)

Wisdom (4.2a)

Love (4.3e)

Unity (4.4d)

Obedience (4.3f)

Faith (4.3a)

Spiritual Gifts (4.6d)

Forgiveness (4.3i)

Words for witnessing (4.2b)

Tranquility (4.4f)

Intimacy with God (4.3j,d)

Escape from temptation (4.3h)

Deliverance from spiritual weakness (4.3k)

Salvation (4.4e,f)

Open doors for the Gospel (4.4c)

God's word would spread rapidly (4.4h)

More workers in God's kingdom (4.4a)

Blessing on enemies (4.4g)

Rebuke (4.3L)

Food (4.6a)

Health (4.6b) 

Help in time of war (4.6c)



Pray Scripture

SAMPLE SCRIPTURE: 

"For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects," (Colossians 1:9-10). 


EXAMPLE OF PRAYING SCRIPTURE: 

"My Lord, Your apostle Paul prayed repeatedly to You, asking that You fill the members of the Colossian church with knowledge of Your will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that they may walk worthily of You, to please You in all respects. I praise You, that You will reveal Your will to us as we ask for it. I praise You, that we can know Your will sufficiently, to please You in all respects. I ask that You fill all of us with knowledge of Your will... all for your glory." 


MORE ABOUT PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Now you have seen one example of praying scripture, using Colossians 1:9-10. If you would like to experience another example praying scripture, turn to subchapter 7.4, "Lets Pray Scripture Together."  You can also learn more about praying scripture in subchapter 1.2. It's titled "PRAY the Scriptures."



Walk by the Spirit

"Walk by the Spirit" is a scriptural term. We see it only in Galatians 5:16 and 5:25. It is the same thing as certain other scriptural terms you may be familiar with. For example: , "Abide in me" or "Remain in me" (John 15:7), "following the Lamb" (Revelation 14:4), "walk in the light" (1John 1:7) and "Fellowship with God"(1 John 1:3 and 2  Corinthians 13:14). All of these terms are synonymous with "Walk by the Spirit". Walking by the Spirit is explained in detail from the scriptures in subchapter 4.7.



Works of the Holy Spirit

Scripture reveals tiers of spiritual authority in the invisible spiritual realm. There is an authority structure in God's kingdom and in the fallen angelic realm as well. Scripture also reveals how the two realms interact. Within God's realm, Jesus was conceived, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Holy Spirit spoke only what the Father commanded them to speak. Authority within the Trinity has changed over time according to the will of the Father. After Pentecost, the Father caused the Holy Sprit to dwell within believers at the request of the Son, Jesus . These truths are revealed from the scriptures in subchapter 3.1. 


The Holy Spirit prophesies, preaches, teaches, speaks through us, provides words for witnessing, testifies, convicts unbelievers, reminds us of scripture, leads, warns and intercedes. He can be resisted and lied to. These truths were revealed from the scriptures in subchapter 3.3.


The Holy Spirit provides power to hope, guard the Gospel, comprehend and witness (subchapter 3.4).


The Holy Spirit regenerates, renews, sanctifies, gives life, seals, brings joy, peace and true confession. He is a gift and a conduit for gifts of God's love (subchapter 3.5)



Summary

In Step 1 you prayed silently during a conversation. So, you have experienced watching in prayer (Colossians 4:2-3). In Step 2 you engaged directly with God who is within you as you read God's words to God. In Step 3 you searched scripture for prayers to pray and prayed those prayers. In Step 4 you prayed the scripture. You prayed the heart of God and the will of God. You have had an intimate time with your Lord. 


The section titled "Pray Scripture"  provided examples of praying the scriptures.
"What Can I Pray?" revealed twenty-five scriptural prayers.


In Step 5 you were admonished to live prayerfully, praying scriptural prayers... to Walk by the Spirit. When you walk by the Spirit, you walk in the light, abide in Christ and have fellowship with God. 



For More Information

Additional guidance is in the Leader's Guide, subchapter 7.2. Just click the arrow at the top right of this page to open it. You can move back and forth through each of five subchapters on the Four Step Bible Study by clicking the arrows at the top left and top right of each page.



Footnotes:

1)  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6 and Hebrews 13:15, as presented in subchapter 4.12. 

2)  Galatians 5:16, 25. See subchapter 4.7, "Walk by the Spirit."

3)  Colossians 4:2-4

Everything we do is to be done for, through and with God. 

Please prayerfully consider these words of God in your heart. Yield to him! 

Everything: "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 
For: "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 
Through: "apart from me, you can do nothing" 
With: "Pray without ceasing" 
With: "...Where I am, there my servant will also be..." (Jesus is speaking) 
2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 10:31, John 15:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and John 12:26

Have a question or want to share how this book has impacted your life?