A Day With God
Part 1: The Morning Hour
May 14-15, 2005

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

How do you feel in the first moments of the day? What does your life look like early in the morning? Some are "morning people" - waking up feeling bright and perky, and happy for a new day. Some are usually up late, rushing to get ready, depressed about the morning news, and stressed even before arriving at work or school. What role does God have in your morning, or what role should He have? Regardless of your personality and disposition toward which part of the day is best, early morning is the best time to reach out and take God's hand so you can walk confidently with Him throughout the rest of the day. The premise of this message is that life will be better if you make some connection with God early in the morning. The four actions we will discuss here, taken on a daily basis, will help you to start the day with a firm grasp on God's hand and stay with Him from then on.

MONDAY

1. SHOUT IT - WORDS OF WORSHIP!

[Your Objective: Begin the day by using words of worship.]

What does Deuteronomy 4:39 say to take to heart this day?

  • Why is recognizing God's presence important?
  • How can praise develop humility in one's character?
  • What advantage can we gain by beginning the day by praising God?

Why does Psalm 118:24 say to rejoice and be glad?

  • Why is praising God good for us?
  • Why praise God when we don't feel like it?

Worship (Magnification) - We have often been taught that "feelings follow action." So, even though it may be difficult to get up in the morning and you may not feel like worshiping God, take a few seconds to praise God in your heart when you awake. For suggestions of words of praise, find a verse in the book of Psalms to memorize, so you can shout it in your heart in the morning.

TUESDAY

2. FEEL IT - WORTH FROM GOD!

[Your Objective: Embark on your 24-hour day with God by feeling your worth from God in the morning.]

Why does the psalmist praise God in Psalm 31:21?

  • How does God's unfailing love make the psalmist feel?
  • Why is it important to feel worth from God in the morning?

What is better than life according to Psalm 63:3?

  • What does it mean to you to feel God's love?
  • Why might we need to be reminded of God's love during the rest of the day?
  • How are we reminded of God's love?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Discipleship is growing to be like Jesus Christ. How can knowing and feeling His unfailing love support our growth?

WEDNESDAY

3. HIDE IT - WORDS OF GOD IN YOUR HEART!

[Your Objective: Reserve a time in your morning to read God's word.]

Why does the Psalmist hide God's Word in his heart according to Psalm 119:11?

  • What are ways in which the word of God can save you from going the wrong way?
  • Discuss favorite ways to read and memorize scripture. Why do they work well for you?

What does Psalm 119:165 say are the effects of loving God's words?

  • Discuss what will constitute a realistic morning Bible habit for you?
  • Why do people feel guilty about not reading the Bible, or not reading it enough? How can we avoid this feeling of guilt?

What does Psalm 119:105 say God's Word is for the Psalmist?

  • Discuss why it is best to read the Bible each morning. How can this habit enhance the rest of the day?
  • Discuss what could help you maintain this habit or discipline.

Evangelism (Mission) - God's Words hidden in your heart can be helpful when you want to share Christ with those who do not know Him. Which Bible verses would you like to know for this purpose? How many mornings will it take to memorize them?

THURSDAY

4. SAY IT - WORDS OF PRAYER!

[Your Objective: Practice using words of prayer to connect with God in the morning and to better serve others throughout the day.]

What does Matthew 7:9-11 say our Father in Heaven will give to those who ask Him?

  • What is likely the biggest benefit to your day resulting from connecting with God for a few minutes of prayer in the morning?
  • God's response to prayer can include wisdom, courage, confidence/perseverance, changed circumstances, and actual miracles. Which is most common for you?

According to Psalm 1:1-3, what is the outcome of whatever a person does if he delights in God's laws and meditates on them?

  • What are some of the distractions that keep us from meditating or focusing on God's laws and ways throughout the day?
  • How can beginning the day with words of prayer influence how we interact with and serve others throughout the day?

Ministry - We do not simply begin the day with prayer as a human routine or formula, but pray to better connect with God on a heart-to-heart basis. When we commune with God, we can commune better with others. Briefly pray each morning this week that God will prepare you for ministry opportunities and ways to bless others.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Agree that regardless of your disposition toward mornings, your life will be better if you make some connection with God early in the morning. Commit to begin by focusing on one of the four action steps.]

Start by spending a minute discussing with your group whether you are or are not a "morning" person, and how that reality affects your reaction to the four action steps suggested here.

As you ponder and discuss these four points, can you feel God telling you "This is what you need in your life"? Do these steps feel right to you, or do they feel artificial and awkward? Many people, though Christians, are living powerless Christian lives in which they are starving spiritually, unconnected with God. Frequently people hope to connect with God at some point later in the day, but never do. Resolve now to begin every day with a commitment to live with God and for God. If one of the four steps is conspicuously missing from your mornings, share your resolution with the group to initiate that step tomorrow. If all these steps are absent from the first part of your day, select the one God is telling you right now is most important to start with and commit to your group to add that step to tomorrow morning's routine.