Engrafting Scripture

Pray Defined Scriptures

use Bible verses as part of your prayers to God

look up the simple biblical definitions
of key words in the verses
(using bible dictionaries like Strong's, Zodhiates, Vine's
- and not regular dictionaries)

pray the verses with portions of the word definitions

~

(expanded)

verse: casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
(1 Pt 5:7)

word being defined: cast (Strong's #1977 epirrhipto)

to throw upon (lit or fig) cast upon, fig. in regard to a concern or care,
to cast off / upon in filial confidence
[from #1909 epi = on + #4496 rhipto = a sudden motion, to fling... with a quick toss - thus differing from #906 ballo = violent, intense... thrust]

simple biblical definition: cast = a quick flinging motion (upon God)
- not taking a long time, nor using violence or intensity

note: this verse is connected with humbling myself
under God's mighty hand (vs 6a)

personal reflection: the humility commanded (vs 6a)
will be exhibited by actually doing as God has said
and casting the anxiety upon Him (vs 7) (doing it!)
His care for me provides the motivation

prayer:

Lord, I cast upon You - here it comes... with a quick flinging motion,
all my anxiety - these disabling cares and worried thoughts
that are disturbing me and distracting me away from You. Done!
Thank You, Father, that You care for me - with Your keen interest
and loving concern. :)

Blessings - Benedictions

A Blessing or Benediction...

asks or pronounces good things
upon or for someone

it is well speaking
(bene [as in beneficial] = well + diction = speaking)

simple:
a prayer aloud or written out - done by anyone
for or over someone else (family, friends, etc.)
asking God's blessing to be upon them
asking His help and care for them
in general, and on special occasions
(marriage, births, when embarking on long trips, new jobs, etc.)

formal:
a pronouncement - usually by clergy
for or over the congregation
at the end of public worship, and on other occasions
invoking God's Name (asking God to put His Name) upon His people
asking His blessing on His people
(for grace, mercy, faith, unity, protection, comfort, etc.)

usual formula: 'May the Lord...' (do this for you)

~

(expanded)

sample of constructed blessings - benedictions using the Scriptures:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Pt 1:2)

May the God of our salvation keep you steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58)

May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all people. (1 Ths 3:12a)

May the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Pt 5:10)

(the Aaronic blessing used by the priests in the OT - Num 6:24-26)
The LORD bless you, and keep you,
The LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you,
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.

Christian Skills

Statements of Faith

these are succinct writings that express important beliefs

usually covering key areas of systematic theology

reputable churches and ministries will have one and make it easily available

learn to ask for a statement of faith and learn how to check it out

~

(expanded)

some important things to look for in a statement of faith:

- the Bible is the authoritative source of all information about God and salvation
- belief in the one true and living God (as the Bible reveals God)
- God is a trinity of three separate, equal, eternally existing Persons
(Father, Son - Jesus, Holy Spirit)
- the full deity and humanity of Jesus
- salvation by grace through faith

(for an example see: these are our beliefs)

things that may be of interest, that are not usually a statement of faith:

- a vision statement (what their goals are)
- core values (what their purpose is)
- by-laws (how their church or ministry is run)
- ministries list (areas they offer or specialize in)

note: churches and ministries that refuse
to make their statement of faith easily available
should be considered suspect
(do ask if they are working on one, or are revising one -
but if they refuse to draw one up and make it available
find another church / ministry to associate with)

note: become equipped to discern aberrant beliefs
that deviate from solid Christian theology

Engrafting Scripture

Pray Strings of Bible Verses

pray using multiple strings of Bible verses
or portions of verses
blended together with your own words to God

speaking God's words (as found in God's Word - the Bible)
as part of your prayers
helps engraft them into your heart

~

(expanded)

Sample:

Lord, You are good and Your lovingkindness is everlasting! Eternal life is to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. When Your kindness and love for mankind appeared, You saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to Your mercy. Please help me keep these things uppermost in my heart and mind as I go about my day today. I ask this in Jesus' Name.

(Using Ps 136:1; Jn 17:3; Titus 3:4-6)

Personal Concordance

build a personal mini concordance to aid finding key Scriptures

(sample)

- always offering prayer [for others] with joy   (Php 1:4)
- He who began good work in us will perfect [complete] it  (Php 1:6)
- pray love abounds more and more  (Php 1:9)
- to live is Christ, to die is gain   (Php 1:21)
- do nothing from selfishness   (Php 2:3a)
- regard others more important than self   (Php 2:3b)
- not merely own interests, but interests of others, too   (Php 2:4)
- God at work in us, to will, to work of His good pleasure   (Php 2:13)
- do all things without grumbling, disputing   (Php 2:14)
- whatever was gain counted as loss for sake of Christ   (Php 3:7)
- surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus   (Php 3:8)
- no righteousness of my own, but His through faith   (Php 3:9)
- know Him and power of His resurrection   (Php 3:10)
- our citizenship in heaven   (Php 3:20)
- rejoice in the Lord always   (Php 4:4)
- be anxious for nothing   (Php 4:6)
- think on these... thrpl grewp   (Php 4:8)
- have learned to be content   (Php 4:11)
- can do all things through Him   (Php 4:13)
- God shall supply all needs   (Php 4:19)

note: there is no need to write down all the words in the verses
nor use proper grammar and punctuation
because you want the verses pared way down
with only a 'pith' to know what they are

Disciple Making Workbooks

Possible Helpful Workbooks to Use:

Fundamentals of the Faith
by John MacArthur
(13 Lessons to Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ)

Growing in Christ
by the Navigators
(A Thirteen-Week Follow-Up Course for New and Growing Christians)

Life in Christ
by Tony Salerno, S. Harrison, G Arosemena
(A Manual for Disciples: Biblical Truth in a Workbook Format to Introduce Young Believers to the Christian Faith)

~

(expanded)

. purchase two of the same workbooks
(one for you, one for a person you will disciple)

. go through one of the workbooks
filling in all the blanks, learning all the lessons,
memorizing all the recommended Bible verses

. do more study on the subjects in the workbook
write down any helpful additional notes in the workbook
or in a separate companion notebook

. use the filled-in workbook (and companion notebook)
as the Teacher's Manual
for part of your basic disciple making with others

. give the unused identical workbook
to the person you are discipling
go through it with them, lesson by lesson

Christian Skills

(new series - Christian Skills)

Giving Our Testimony

Simple definition: a public recounting of our experience

Possible ingredients of our testimony:

. our life before becoming a follower of Jesus (very brief, do not glorify sin)
. how we came to the Lord (circumstances surrounding it, what happened)
. specific gospel truths we now believe

Possible patterns (read Paul's testimony found in Acts 22, 26):

. tailored to suit the time-constraints and your audience
. brief (like this, 'I grew up thinking I was a Christian. I wasn't. I am now.')
. more in-depth (includes some essential and interesting details)
. very in-depth (gives the specific gospel message as you explain how each important point or facet impacted your beliefs and subsequent life)

Share your testimony with your family, and with people outside your family.