E. DEEPENING YOUR WALK WITH GOD / INTIMACY WITH GOD

Recently in some books on emotional health, one of the issues in growing healthier in our emotions and love for God is to take a look at several passages and people in the Bible who seemed to have caught this key practice in their lives. The first is Daniel. I remember as a boy thinking of how Daniel modeled his devotion to God throughout the day. I was challenged to do that in college, on my Ship in the Navy, and throughout the rest of my life.

Daniel 6:10 (NIV):

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

1. How do you experience this passage?

2. What is the back drop of Daniel’s action?

3. What is the motivation behind 3 times a day?

1. How would you like to make that a practice in your life?

2. What do think would be the results?

3. When will you start that habit and for how long?

Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

1. What has been your experience with the Sabbath?

2. Why do you think this is so important to God?

3. How could this become important in your life?

1. What would you do if you took a Sabbath? (24-hourperiod of rest)

2. What kind of rest would you like to experience in the future?

3. How would you go about putting this into practice?

4. When would you like to start?

1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.

2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?

3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?

4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?