Spiritual growth happens when we: sit with other people and honestly ask them to help us grow (i.e., a Life Group) sit with Jesus and ask Him to help us grow (i.e., “fifteen minutes in your chair”) get up and do something (i.e., serve, volunteer, tell someone about Jesus)

Praying that others will: know God’s will walk worthy of the Lord 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.  11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. Colossians 1:9-12 A “deeper” prayer Praying that others will: know God’s will walk worthy of the Lord have endurance, patience, joy, and thankfulness.

The “general” will of God for everyone to be saved: Jesus said, It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish. (Matthew 18:14) God wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) to be thankful: Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) to be sexually pure: For this is God’s will…: that you abstain from sexual immorality. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) to do good: For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good (1 Peter 2:15)

The “specific” will of God for Old Testament Israel: For I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The “specific” will of God for Paul: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will…. (Ephesians 1:1)

The “specific” will of God for Paul and Timothy: 6 Paul and Timothy went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 During the night a vision appeared to Paul: a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them. Acts 16:6-10

7 4 5 6 1 2 3

The “specific” will of God for Old Testament Israel: Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s specific will for that particular group of Jews for Paul: Ephesians 1:1 – God’s specific will for Paul to be an apostle for Paul and Timothy: Acts 16:6-10 – God’s specific will for where Paul and Timothy preach the Gospel

Finding God’s “specific” will for your life Throw lots of daily energy into following God’s GENERAL will for your life. Ask God to reveal His SPECIFIC will for you. but you need to then sit still and listen; you may need to seek counsel from godly people

Lord, help ____________ to know Your will for their lives. 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL…. Colossians 1:9 Lord, help ____________ to know Your will for their lives. Pray this prayer for someone else. Pray this prayer for yourself.