The Essentials for Family Worship
Luke 18:16–17 (NKJV)
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
🌍 Lesson 1: Sin Separates Us from God
📖 Bible Verse:
“In the Bible, God tells us that our sins — the bad things we do — separate us from our loving God and make Him sad that we haven’t obeyed.”
— Isaiah 59:2
💬 Story:
When God made the world, everything He made was good.
He made the sun, the stars, all the animals, and the trees.
Then He made the first man and woman — Adam and Eve — just like He made you and me, to love Him and live with But Adam and Eve disobeyed. They chose to listen to their own way instead of God’s way.
That is called sin.
Sin is when we don’t listen to and obey God, and we do bad things.
Every person is born with the same problem — we all sin, and our sin, the bad things we do, is what keeps us away from God. Our sin separates us from God.
So, this is our first story that helps us learn about God and that we need to obey God’s wonderful plan, so our sin doesn’t separate us from God.
🙏 Prayer:
“Thank You, God, for making me and loving me.
Help me to understand sin so I can learn to obey what You tell me to do.
Amen.”
Essentials of the Faith:
Faith that Works
The next essential in our walk with Christ is Works. We have already learned that obedience is the foundation of our faith. Now we see that true obedience naturally produces good works. Good works are the visible fruit of an inward faith. They are not what save us, but they are the result of being saved. We don’t work to earn salvation — we work because we have salvation.
📖 Ephesians 2:8–10 (NKJV) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
👉 This passage clearly shows both truths: Salvation is by grace through faith alone. But that grace leads to a life filled with good works — the ones God has already planned for us to walk in.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
📖 James 2:14–17 (NKJV) “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
📖 James 2:26 (NKJV) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
👉 True faith moves us to action. If we believe God’s Word, we will live it.
Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only - Works
📖 James 1:22–25 (NKJV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, (God's Holy Word) and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
How This Pertains to Works
This passage drives home a critical truth: Hearing the Word brings knowledge — doing the Word brings transformation. 🪞 The “mirror” represents God’s Word. When we read it, we see ourselves clearly — our flaws, sins, and the areas that need correction. But if we walk away unchanged, it shows that our faith has not taken root deep enough to bear fruit.
👉 To be a doer means our faith produces visible works of obedience. James doesn’t say “be hearers who believe,” but “be doers who obey.” The blessing comes not from hearing alone, but from acting on what we know to be true.
📖 John 13:17 (NKJV): “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Jesus Taught That True Disciples Bear Fruit - Works
📖 John 15:5,8 (NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
👉 Works are not optional—they are the evidence that we are abiding in Christ. The branch doesn’t produce fruit by its own power; it produces fruit because it is connected to the Vine. (Abiding)
Our Works Reveal Our Heart
📖 Matthew 7:16–20 (NKJV) “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
📖 Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
👉 Our works are how others see Christ in us. They don’t glorify us — they glorify Him.
Not Works of Self-Righteousness
📖 Titus 3:5 (NKJV) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
📖 Romans 3:27–28 (NKJV) “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
📖 Galatians 2:16 (NKJV) “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
👉 Works can never earn righteousness before God. They are the result of grace, not the requirement for grace.
Created for Good Works
📖 Colossians 1:10 (NKJV) “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
📖 Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
👉 The Holy Spirit empowers and directs our works. They are not done in our own strength but in His.
The Eternal Reward of Faithful Works
📖 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
📖 Revelation 14:13 (NKJV) “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’”
👉 Our works don’t save us, but they will follow us into eternity as evidence of our faith and as part of our reward.
Final Thought Faith without works is dead. In our next Essentials we will cover some of those basic works that should, as we grow, begin to manifest themselves in our lives as we grow in Christ by digging into His Holy Word.
Essentials
Table of Content:
9. Faith that Works
8. Obedience
7. Worship
6. Fellowship
5. The Lord’s Prayer
4. Prayer
3. Abide in the Word.
2. The Holy Word
1. The Biblical Process of Becoming Sons and Daughters of God
Essentials: Obedience
Essentials: Obedience
So far, we have walked through the essentials of becoming a Christian and the foundational truths that shape our new life in Christ: the importance of the Holy Word, abiding in the Word, meditating, memorizing, and studying Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship. We have seen that worship is not merely singing songs or playing instruments in church. While those things are good and pleasing, they are only a small part of true worship. Real worship is how we live every day-our obedience to God’ s Word.
And remember, Jesus Himself is the Word. John 1:1,14 (NKJV) “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Conforming to Christ
Because worship flows out of obedience, we now return to this vital truth: Obedience is what our heavenly Father desires from His children. He is a gracious, loving Father who wants what is best for us - nothing less than being conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) “ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Even children’ s songs capture this truth simply: “ O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.” If we truly believe, then our lives, our time, our hearts, and our devotion will follow.
Run the Race to Win
Now, don’ t be discouraged if you feel like you fall short in many areas. Most of us do. But falling short is never an excuse to give up. Instead, it is a call to press on, to run the race set before us with endurance. Hebrews 12:1‒2 (NKJV) “ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The truths we’ ve studied so far are major essentials, and when we walk in them, they lead to spiritual prosperity and success in this life̶ not worldly riches, but the riches of a faithful walk with Jesus.
Discipline and Restoration
The journey will not be easy, but obedience keeps us abiding in Christ and strengthens us to stay the course. The Old Testament shows us that Israel often wavered in obedience. When they disobeyed,
God disciplined them to bring them back into fellowship, and when they returned, He restored them. Hebrews 12:6 (NKJV) “ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son and daughter whom He receives.” Deuteronomy 8:5 (NKJV) “ You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.”
Obedience Is Not Optional
This same principle applies to us. Obedience is not optional. Yes, if you have confessed Christ, you are saved̶ but to neglect obedience is to walk in spiritual defeat and disobedience. Paul warns that some will be saved, “ but only as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:15 (NKJV) “ If anyone’ s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
Why would we want to merely “ get by,” when God has called us to live fully in His love and joy? Think of it this way: would you want your spouse, your parent, or your child to only love you halfheartedly? Of course not̶ you desire their whole heart. In the same way, our Father desires the full love and obedience of His children, the ones He redeemed at the cost of His Son’ s blood.
Trust and Obey
As the old hymn reminds us: “ Trust and obey, for there’ s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Luke 9:23 (NKJV) “ Then He said to them all, ‘ If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ ” James 1:22 (NKJV) “ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
In the end, our deepest fulfillment comes when we die to ourselves and live in obedience to the truth of God’ s Word.
Obedience is being an active doer of the basic essentials. When you obey and abide the Holy Spirit will teach and guide you into a deeper relationship with the Father. John 14:26 (NKJV) “ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
As we grow and are uncertain what to do, don’ t forget God’ s promises. He promises to give us wisdom if we will only ask. James 1:5 (NKJV) “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
And when we struggle with unbelief, cry out to your gracious Savior to help your unbelief. Mark 9:24 (NKJV)
“ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘ Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ ”
He remembers that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14 (NKJV) “ For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Here are two closing verses to memorize and meditate on to help: Micah 6:8 (NKJV) “ He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Matthew 22:37‒38 (NKJV) “ Jesus said to him, ‘ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”
Looking Ahead Upcoming, we will see how once we have the basic essentials to abide with Christ, these things will manifest themselves in outward actions: Stewardship, Witnessing, Discipleship, and Serving Others.
Essentials in the Faith with Kyle Younger
Essentials of the Faith – Worship
Worship Definition
To honor, reverence, and serve God with devotion.
What Worship Really Is
Worship is often misunderstood as only singing and music during church services. While these are part of worship, true worship is much more.
Worship is how we live our lives — from the moment we rise in the morning until we lay down to sleep at night. It is our walk with the Lord. It includes:
· Prayer
· Time in the Word
· Serving others
· Fellowship
· Everything we do
To worship God is to obey God — submitting our hearts to His will.
Worship and Obedience in Scripture
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (NKJV)
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes… for your good?"
Worship is reverence expressed by walking in His ways and keeping His commands.
Romans 12:1 (NKJV)
"…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
John 14:15 (NKJV)
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."
1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)
"So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.’"
God values obedience more than outward acts. True worship flows from a surrendered heart.
All of Life as Worship
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Worship is not limited to a service — it is every action, word, and attitude lived for Christ.
Worship Grounded in Salvation
True worship is obedience to God’s Word. Yet we must remember that being sons and daughters of the King is completely grounded in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Our salvation rests not on what we do but on what Christ has already done!
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
James 2:26 (NKJV)
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
True faith produces works. Works flow from obedience, and obedience is worship.
Worship Leads to True Prosperity
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Success comes through obedience to God’s Word, not the worlds success.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
John 4:23–24 (NKJV)
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Remember to walk in the spirit you have to be in God's word and be obedient-
True worship comes from the heart and aligns with God’s Word.
10 Ways We Worship God
1. Singing and Music
2. Prayer
3. Hearing and Obeying God’s Word
4. Serving Others
5. Giving and Generosity
6. Daily Living in Holiness
7. Thanksgiving in All Circumstances
8. Sharing the Gospel
9. Fellowship and Encouragement
10. Sacrificial Living (Self-Denial)
This is not an exhaustive list — worship includes everything we do.
Closing Thought:
Remember this week to spend time in the Word so you can walk in the Spirit, cry out to your Savior for wisdom and guidance. Clap your hands and sing praises to our King.
Kyle Younger 9.29.25
Fellowship
Essentials of the Faith – Fellowship
Fellowship (Verb) – Webster’s Definition
Fellowship (verb): to join in fellowship, especially in a religious connection; to associate with.
■ Fellowship is not just something we attend — it’s an action we take.
Why Fellowship Matters
God’s Word reveals how essential our fellowship with one another truly is and warns us of the dangers of neglecting it.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NKJV)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Commands from this passage:
• Stir up one another to love and good works.
• Do not forsake meeting together.
• Encourage one another.
Too often we think that simply attending church is fellowship. But true fellowship is an act of obedience and a vital part of our growth as believers.
What Fellowship Is — and Isn’t
Not fellowship: Sitting beside one another in a service, hearing a message.
True fellowship: Directly interacting, encouraging, and stirring one another to live for Christ.
Fellowship requires:
• Intentional interaction – This does not happen in the service but in an interactive class or one-on-one with another sister or brother.
• Sharing what God is teaching us.
• Walking together through both joys and burdens.
Sharpening One Another
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
How do we sharpen one another?
• By sharing Scripture we’ve read, heard, meditated on, or memorized.
• By testifying to what God reveals through the Holy Spirit.
• By encouraging one another to stay faithful.
■ Sharpening requires that we first be in the Word ourselves.
Bearing Burdens Together
Fellowship is not always easy, but it is essential.
Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
We need others who will:
• Encourage us
• Support us
• Pray for us
• Listen to us
• Share our burdens
Life is fast-paced and distracting, but God desires what is best for us. We can pray that He provides the fellowship we need.
Biblical Examples of Fellowship
Even the disciples were not sent out alone.
Mark 6:7 (NKJV)
“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.”
Other key passages:
1 Peter 3:8–9 (NKJV)
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be
tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 4:9–10 (NKJV)
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Conclusion
Fellowship is not optional. It is an action commanded by God. It sharpens us, sustains us, and strengthens our walk with Christ.
The majority of us never really have the fellowship we need. Like all other essentials, we must be deliberate about being obedient to God’s Holy Word. Most of us—especially men—think we can do it on our own. Sadly, this is why we often miss out on an important aspect of growth God intended through fellowship.
Anything we do not seek to obey is always to our detriment. Fellowship can be tough because it requires us to be vulnerable and to trust.
■ We cannot do this journey alone.
The Lord’s Prayer – A Foundation from Which We Can Learn to Pray
Matthew 6:9–13 This is our gracious Savior giving us a basic guideline for our prayers
We see that He tells us to pray in this way: Right off, we see the word "Our" — this shows us that as we are children of God through Jesus, we may come to Him as our Father
He is ours, and we are His
Romans 8:15 – “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Galatians 4:6 – “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba! Father!’” “Who is in heaven” – Remember, as Isaiah 55:9 says: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Hallowed Be Your Name The word hallowed means to be set apart as holy — to revere or honor
Revere: To regard with deep respect, awe, and devotion
Sanctify: To set apart as holy, to consecrate, to treat with sacred reverence
1 Peter 3:15 – “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.” Your Kingdom Come Oh, how, if we are His and truly understand this, we will long and desire His return
Romans 8:22–23 – “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now
And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.” On Earth as It Is in Heaven Because in heaven, it is perfect — without sin, without blemish, full of perfect peace
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread God, please give us what is needed for today
This is not ignorantly or immaturely, like a newborn baby asking only for our desires — but rather asking for our needs, both physical and spiritual
James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.” We must learn to depend on God’s provision each day, just as in the wilderness, God provided daily food and water: Exodus 16:4 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.’” Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors Jesus reveals that we must forgive those who have sinned against us, just as we confess our sins to our Heavenly Father and ask for forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Colossians 3:13 – “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.” Remember, the very reason we can even pray this prayer as children of God is because Jesus first forgave us
Lead Us Not into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil Jesus teaches us to cry out that we will not fall into temptation but instead call upon Abba, Father — for help, wisdom, protection, and guidance — that we would not fail but be delivered
James 1:13–14 – “No one is to say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” How Should We Pray? We need to pray that the Lord will teach us how to pray, whether we are new believers or someone just now realizing the need to commune with God
Luke 11:1 – “Lord, teach us to pray…” Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Also: 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” - A consistent prayer life helps us take our thoughts captive and submit them to God’s will
James 5:16 – “The effective prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much.” - A promise that our prayers matter and God hears us
Hindrances to Prayer In a nutshell, what hinders our prayers is sin — it separates us from God and grieves His Spirit
Psalm 66:18 – “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God…” James 1:6–7 – Doubting blocks answers to prayer
James 4:3 – Wrong motives hinder prayer
Mark 11:25 – Unforgiveness blocks forgiveness
Proverbs 28:9 – “One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.” Luke 18:1–8 – Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer, like the persistent widow
The Importance of Knowing God’s Word To pray properly, we must go back to the essential foundation: knowing God’s Word
God is gracious with us as we grow, but we are called to grow in grace
As we spend time in the Word and deepen our relationship with the Father, we begin to better understand His will — and that is what healthy, powerful prayer aligns with
Final Verses to Keep in Our Toolbox Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” 1 John 5:14–15 – “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us…” Hebrews 4:16 – “Let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence…” Final Truth About Our Lord and Savior He always provides for us — even in our weaknesses, and that includes our prayer life
Psalm 139:4 – “Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, Lord, You know it all.” Isaiah 65:24 – “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will listen.” Romans 8:26 – “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Our mighty God not only provides the sacrifice to cover our sins, but also intercedes for us in our weakness — even in prayer
He is the God of provision for His sons and daughters.
Essentials: Prayer. Part 4
🙏 Our Next Essential: Prayer
Prayer is one of our most neglected blessings.
As our Heavenly Father’s children, we have been granted access to come boldly before His throne and make our petitions—through our precious Savior, Jesus.
📖 Scripture Support
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Ephesians 3:12 (KJV)
"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."
Our Father wants us to come to Him—for our needs, our fears, and for direction.
Matthew 7:11 (KJV)
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Don’t be confused by some of the modern-day self-help motivational speakers who would lead you to believe you can just name it and claim it.
Our goal is to be seeking God’s will for His glory, conforming to our Savior Jesus Christ—not seeking our own will.
Even Jesus, when tempted by Satan in the desert, didn’t seek His own will but the Father’s. He refused to ask selfishly.
🙏 How Do We Know How to Pray?
Well, our example is our Lord and Savior’s prayer:
Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)
"After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen."
🕊️ Prayer and Peace
The Word tells us:
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
(Supplication = the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.)
Also, know this: As God made the provision through Christ to save us and make us heirs, He also fills the gap in the weakness of our prayers. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
Romans 8:26 (KJV)
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Our God not only saved us while we were yet dead in our trespasses, He also gives us help from the Holy Spirit in our prayers—for He is a gracious, longsuffering, merciful Father.
Prayer is simply us crying out to our Father.
Romans 8:15 (KJV)
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
He wants to give us good things...
Here is a great verse to digest:
Matthew 7:11 (KJV)
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
So if we can give good gifts—how much more so our Father?
But in order to pray as we should, we have to go back to earlier essentials.
We must know our Father’s Word to know how to pray.
As we grow in grace, the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers, but as we grow in His Word—conforming to the Son—we develop our prayer muscles, and learn that we must pray according to our Father’s will, which He has revealed to us in His Word.
Remember: Jesus is the Word. (John 1:1)
📖 A Final Word for the Week
Okay, I think we have enough to digest for the week.
Next week, we will dig deeper into our Lord’s Prayer and look at other examples of saints crying out to God, to further develop an understanding of the power of prayer.
Essentials: Abide in the Word. Part 3
■ Abiding in the Vine: Abiding in God’s Word
John 15:4–7 (ESV) “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers... If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
If we’re going to grow, we must abide—remain connected to the Vine, who is Christ. And Jesus makes it plain: to abide in Him is to abide in His Word.
■■ Anything Worth Having Requires Effort We all know that relationships don’t grow without investment. If we want to know someone, we have to spend time with them. And the same is true with our relationship with our Heavenly Father. To truly know Him—and to understand His will and plan for our lives—we must spend time in His Word.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
His Word is divine instruction—it reveals who He is, how He works, and how we are to live.
■ Distraction Isn’t an Excuse Yes, life is full of distractions—but that can’t be our excuse.
■ FACT: The average person spends over 3 hours a day on their phone. That’s over 21 hours a week, nearly a full day. So let’s be honest—we’re not too busy, we’re just often too distracted.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15–16
If the Word is important to us, we must ask God to give us an appetite for it.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” — Matthew 5:6
Just like physical health doesn’t come automatically, spiritual health requires discipline and intentionality.
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” — 1 Timothy 4:7
■ No More Excuses—Just Start Don’t let not knowing “how” keep you from starting. Pick a passage.
Read slowly. Think. Ask questions. This is how we grow.
Ask: S – Is there a Sin to avoid? P – Is there a Promise to claim? E – Is there an Example to follow? C– Is there a Command to obey? K – What Knowledge does this give me about God?
This is how we begin to meditate on God’s Word—not just reading it, but reflecting deeply on it.
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” — Psalm 1:2
■■ Ask for Wisdom You’re not alone. God promises to give wisdom to those who ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5
■■ The Importance of Memorizing God’s Word Yes, memorization might feel daunting—but Scripture tells us it’s essential to a victorious life.
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” — Psalm 119:11
“Take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” — Ephesians 6:17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” — Colossians 3:16
God’s Word is our sword against temptation, lies, and fear. If we don’t plant it in our hearts, we leave ourselves vulnerable.
Even starting with one verse a month can change everything. The Holy Spirit will bring it to your mind exactly when you need it.
■ Our Three Essentials This Week:
1. Study “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15
2. Meditate “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” — Psalm 119:15
3. Memorize “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 7:3
■■ Find What Works for You Some people love early mornings—watching the sunrise with their Bible and coffee. Others, like me, find peace and focus at night when the world is quiet and still. What matters is not the time of day—but that you do it.
Set aside the time. Make it sacred. And watch how God grows your heart and transforms your life through His Word.
■ Coming Next Week... Next week, we’ll explore another essential tool in your spiritual toolbox:
PRAYER—what it is, how to use it, and why it’s powerful.
Until then, stay rooted in the Vine. Abide in His Word. Study. Meditate. Memorize. And let the Holy Spirit lead you in growth and godliness.
ESSENTIALS OF THE FAITH Part 2
The Holy Word
The next essential building block of our faith is understanding the true nature and power of God’s Word.
As believers, we must recognize that the Word is not merely a book of rules or moral stories—it is the living and active voice of God. It is foundational to our spiritual growth and key to developing a deeper relationship with Him.
The Word Is Jesus
The Bible teaches us that the Word is more than written instruction—it is the person of Jesus Christ.
John 1:1–2 (NKJV) –
“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:14 (NKJV) –
“And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
When we dive into Scripture, we are engaging with Him—our Savior, Redeemer, and King. He is the living Word who came to dwell among us and made a way for us to walk in newness of life.
The Word Is Powerful and Active
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) –
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word convicts us of sin, corrects our thinking, and changes our hearts. It is through the Holy Spirit working with the Word that we are renewed, strengthened, and matured in our faith.
The Word Is Our Spiritual Food
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) –
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Just as our physical bodies require daily food, our spirits require daily feeding on God’s Word.
When we take in Scripture, we are taking in Jesus—His truth, His love, His character. We must learn to feed ourselves spiritually.
Most of us don't ever miss a meal or go hungry because we know our bodies must have nourishment. But if we could somehow see each other's spiritual health, I fear we would be skin and bones—about to collapse—because our soul is starved of taking in His precious, life-giving Word.
Supporting Scriptures
Here are some verses to reinforce what we are covering:
Job 23:12 (NKJV) –
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”
Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV) –
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) –
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Don’t Skip Spiritual Meals
Whether you are a new believer or have been in the faith for many years, you cannot grow strong in Christ and in your walk if you neglect to consume God’s Word on a regular basis.
Daily time in the Word is not optional—it’s essential.
If you skip too many spiritual meals, you will grow weak, confused, and vulnerable. But those who feast daily become strong, rooted, and full of life.
Many only ever are exposed to the Word for a few minutes on Sunday. If that's it, you are basically living on life support—almost dead!
Coming Up Next
Now that we have hit some basic truths about the Word, our upcoming essentials will help you understand how to study the Word, so you can grow deeper and walk stronger in your relationship with Christ.
📖 ESSENTIALS OF THE FAITH: PART 1
✝️ The Biblical Process of Becoming Sons and Daughters of God
The first thing we must completely understand is the biblical process of salvation — how we became sons and daughters of Christ our Lord and Savior. This transformation begins when we are exposed to His life-changing truth, either by hearing or reading His Word. God uses His Word and the Holy Spirit to reveal our sinful condition and our need for salvation, which requires acknowledgment of our sin and a decision to repent and turn from it.
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:10 – “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
We see through His Word that the wages of sin is death — eternal separation from God — and it is only through Christ our Savior that we are saved from eternal damnation.
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
As faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17), God convicts through His Word, and the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us. We acknowledge that we must repent and turn from sin to God in obedience.
Acts 3:19 – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
Luke 13:3 – “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
At this point, we place our faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ our Savior, who died and rose again for our sins, conquering death on the cross for each one of us.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
Romans 10:9–10 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… thou shalt be saved.”
We become what the Bible calls born again — in Christ, we are a new creature.
John 3:3 – “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”
We are adopted into God’s family and are no longer slaves to sin.
John 1:12 – “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”
Romans 8:15 – “…ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Once we are His children and begin to grasp the blessed miracle of salvation in Christ, we must learn the Essentials of the Faith in order to grow and be victorious in our walk with God — becoming more like Christ. It is Our desire to be obedient to God’s command in Matthew 28 to “go therefore” and, once you have become sons and daughters of God, to do our best to equip you for growth by teaching the Essentials of the Faith — so that you can become all that God desires you to be.
It is so easy — whether you're a new believer or have been in the faith for years — to become discouraged or confused in your walk if you haven’t been taught how to seek God and feed yourself spiritually. That’s why our goal is to teach you how to feed yourself through God’s Word so you can grow by learning the Essentials of the Faith. Coming up, you will learn how to walk with God — or as the Bible puts it, how to abide in Christ, staying connected to the true vine, our Savior Jesus Christ. The Church is called to equip the saints — and that’s exactly who you are in Christ.
Thank you for joining our journey of walking through the Essentials. Please come back each week for more tools for growth from our TOOLBOX.
