Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Monday: Read Acts 4:13. When and where do people affirm you have been “with Jesus”? What difference do they notice? How has Christ Lutheran Church Ministries been used by God to make you more like Jesus?

Tuesday: Read Acts 4:12. Why is it essential to know Jesus is the only way to be saved? Some see that claim as exclusive to keep people out, when in reality God wants everyone to know the only way in. For Whom are you praying to know Jesus as their Savior? How will you pray for them to know the power of the name of Jesus?

Wednesday: Read Acts 4:9. What “acts of kindness” have you experienced that have helped you grow in your faith? What “acts of kindness” have you shown others to help them grow in their faith?  Where might God be calling you to display such “acts of kindness”?

Thursday: Read Acts 3:6-8. What leads you to be “walking and jumping, and praising God”?

Friday: Read Acts 4:10-11. Who shares the story of Jesus with you? What have you learned? With Whom are you sharing the story of Jesus these days? What are they learning from you? What are you learning as you share?

Saturday: Read Acts 4:18-20. Peter and John stand up to the religious authorities by claiming they must obey God rather than those religious leaders. They also declare they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. What part of your faith do you feel compelled to share with others? How can we, at Christ Lutheran Church Ministries, continue to help you to be “with Jesus” and to share Him with others?

You can GO DEEPER this week by:

• Read the book Encounters with Jesus by Tim Keller
• Download the YouVersion Bible Application on your smartphone or tablet.

 You can also listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

Read 1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV). Pray the Eli/Samuel prayer -- Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.  Think of a decision that you are facing and run it through these five filters for discerning the promptings of the Holy Spirit:

1. Is the prompting from God? [Matthew 25:4 (NIV); 1 John 4:1 (NIV)]
2. Is it Scriptural? [Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV)]
3. Is it wise? [Matthew 10:16 (NIV); Proverbs 1:7 (NIV); the whole book of Proverbs]
4. Is it in tune with the way God has shaped me? [Psalm 139:13 (NIV); Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)]
5. What do the people I trust the most think about it? [Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)]

Read Mark 9:8 (NIV). In the phrase, no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus, some take that to mean that reliance on Moses and Elijah had now moved to Jesus.  The disciples are given a glimpse of what it means to only have Jesus in the midst of their fears, their faith, their failures, and their need for forgiveness. Where do you need to realign your focus to listen to Jesus?

Read Mark 9:5-6 (NIV). Peter has no problem expressing his thoughts.  If the "three shelters" are a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, then it is a reminder that in times of uncertainty we trust in God?  What uncertainty has taken your focus off of hearing God's Word?  Where do you need to ask God to remind you to trust Him to guide you through?

Read 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NIV). How is the "veil" taken away from understanding God's Word? How are you experiencing the freedom the Spirit brings? Where do you need to pray for the Spirit's freeing work in your life?

Read Mark 4:3-9, 13-20 (links are NIV). In verse 9, Jesus says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." How do the four soils respond? Which soil are you most like today? What other soils that Jesus lists are at work in your life.

Read Mark 9:7 (NIV). Where do you find it challenging to listen to Jesus?  Is the problem in hearing His voice or not wanting to follow what you hear?