Habit 2: Listen, Pray, Obey RELATING TO GOD AND DEVELOPING WISDOM
God speaks. One of the first things the Bible reveals is that God is a speak-
ing God—he speaks the universe into existence through the power of his words and then he speaks and enters into relationship with the first man and woman. He speaks words of life to humans, showing us how to live true to our design and flourish. God speaks, we receive and listen to his words. Foundational to a thriving relationship with God is learning to listen to God (namely through his Word, but also as he speaks to us through his Spirit and Christian community), learning to pray/commune with God, and learning to obey God. This is the process of deepening your relationship with God and developing wisdom. God is always present to us, our journey is about learning to be more present to our ever-present God.
MEMORIZE
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. - Matthew 7:24
STUDY MATTHEW 7:24-27 AND ITS SURROUNDING CONTEXT.
Discuss together what Jesus is teaching here. Why does Jesus call his disci-
ples to both hear his words and do his words? What’s the difference between the wise man and the foolish man, and where do you see such examples in your life and in our culture? How does a person develop wisdom? What are you learning in your core book about this topic?
The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world. It is a renunciation of the lies we have been told about ourselves and our neighbors and our universe…The usual biblical word describing the no we say to the world’s lies and the yes we say to God’s truth is repentance. It is always and everywhere the first word in the Christian life…Repentance is not an emotion. It is a decision.
Eugene Peterson 23