Practicing the Presence
Scripture Foundation
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus teaches us that "where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." This promise reminds us that God is always present among us, even when we're not aware of it. Colossians 3:2-3 encourages us to "set our hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." This means we must intentionally focus on God's presence in our daily lives. In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus warns us not to be distracted by the things of this world, but to "cut off" these distractions and focus on Him.
Main Content
To practice the presence of God, we need to recognize that He is always with us. This means being aware of His presence in our daily lives, even when we're not feeling it. We can do this by:
- Reflecting on God's presence throughout the day, especially during challenging moments.
- Praying and asking God to help you focus on His presence.
- Setting aside time each day to read the Bible and pray.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the concept of "practicing the presence" and its biblical foundation in Matthew 18:20.
- Explain the significance of recognizing Christ's presence in daily life, as described in Colossians 3:2-3.
- Demonstrate intentional awareness of God's presence through reflective journaling for one week.
- Apply the practice of "pruning" oneself to remove distractions, as described in Luke 17:3-4, to daily routine.
- Analyze ways to cultivate a sense of God's presence in relationships, using examples from Matthew 18:20.
Application Steps
- Set a reminder on your phone to take a few minutes each day to reflect on God's presence.
- Choose a specific time each day to read the Bible and pray.
- Identify one area in your daily routine where you can "prune" distractions and focus on God's presence.
Reflection Questions
As you practice the presence of God throughout the day, what are some ways you've become more aware of His presence? How has this affected your relationships with others?