Mentoring Men for the Master

FOUR CRITICAL QUESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE TO INTERNALIZE THE WORD OF GOD:

What are the Benefits of Internalizing the Word?   Let the Word of God answer this   question 26 times:

  1. Romans 10:17 – builds your faith
  2. Psalm 119:11 – overcomes sin
  3. James 4:7 – resist Satan
  4. John 8:31-32 – freedom from sin
  5. John 15:7 – answered prayer
  6. John 15:11 – overflowing joy
  7. Matthew 4:4 – life and vitality overflowing
  8. John 6:68 – eternal life
  9. 3:16 – Compare with Ephesians 5:18-19 – wonderful worship and helping others
  10. Psalm 119:97, 103 – makes the Word sweeter than honey
  11. Job 23:12b – more important than daily food
  12. 1 Peter 3:15 – answer to skeptics
  13. Psalm 126:6 – makes you a soul winner
  14. Psalm 119:165 – peace and no offense
  15. Psalm 119:99 – more knowledge than your teachers
  16. Psalm 119:9 – cleanses young man
  17. Psalm 119:105 – guidance
  18. Psalm 34:8 – spiritual nourishment
  19. Psalm 19:7 – shows your need of salvation
  20. Ephesians 6:17 – sword of the Spirit
  21. Hebrews 4:12 – exposes intents of the heart
  22. Jeremiah 20:9 – causes burning like fire in ones soul
  23. Proverbs 29:18 – without which you become stagnant
  24. Jeremiah 15:16 – overflowing joy
  25. Ephesians 5:18-19 – fullness of the Holy Spirit
  26. Joshua 1:8 – assures success and prosperity

What Hinders People from Internalizing the Word? 

  1. Lostness
  2. Laziness
  3. Busyness
  4. Fleshly comforts
  5. No hunger for God
  6. Bad or poor memory
  7. Never challenged
  8. Lukewarm pastors and churches
  9. A good thing but purely optional
  10. Living in sin – James 1:21 – “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.” (Spurgeon)
  11. Longing for money rather than God – Matthew 13:22
  12. Procrastination
  13. Uncooperative mate
  14. Peer pressure
  15. Dependence on flesh, not the Holy Spirit
  16. Substituting the good for the best

What Would Hinder you from Internalizing the Word? Examine yourself and honestly ask this question, “What would hinder me from internalizing the Word this semester?”  Then be honest and ask yourself this question, “Do I really think God would accept my excuse?”  If so, read James 4:17; Luke 12:47.

 What Should Encourage You to Internalize the Word? 

  1. Believe it is God’s will for you.
  2. Desiring to do His will and not our own.
  3. Deep hunger for God
  4. Desire to live an abundant and meaningful life.
  5. Desiring more faith
  6. Desiring to overcome the Devil.
  7. Desiring to overcome our flesh.
  8. Desiring to glorify Jesus and not self in life.
  9. Frustration and emptiness that are killing you.
  10. Sick of just playing church.
  11. Testimony of those who have internalized the Word especially your teacher, mentor or spouse.
  12. The incredible love of Thad and Dr. “B”
  13. Deep desire to be “conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29)
  14. Desire to mentor my family.
  15. MMM – Proverbs 27:17