Day 31 -- Multiply To Go Deeper

If you want to go deeper in learning to hear from God, work through this devotional a second time - but this time take someone with you.
It might be a good friend or a family member; it might be a small group that meets in your church; it might be someone you meet for coffee once a week. And if you've been thinking of starting a home group, this may be a good way to do it.

There are several reasons this will take you deeper. (1) The materials are not just information; they focus on engaging with God. As you grow more intimate with Him, the simplest exercises in this devotional will become more meaningful to you. (2) You and your friend or group can share testimonies. Testimonies make the grace of God contagious. The experiences of two or more who have gathered in His name will benefit all. (3) As you share what you have learned so far it will teach you the things of God more deeply. So here are a few ways to go deeper with others.

(1) Go through the devotional with just one friend. It can be anybody, but the important thing is to compare notes as you go. Share testimonies and share what you learn step-by-step as you go.

Pace yourselves. You might be able to finish the devotional in 31 days, but do one page every two days if it helps. The important thing is to get in the habit of listening to God often.

(2) Go through the devotional with a group. Small groups often use study notes from outside to give the group a focus. But don't let the group sessions turn into a lecture. Share testimonies, share new insights, and take time to minister to one another.

Everybody's busy these days, so a group would probably need to work through 1-3 days of the devotional every week. It would be unlikely that everyone in the group would have time to work through all 7 days each week.

Your group can be simple. It might be three co-workers who have lunch together once a week. It might be a few friends who meet for coffee every Saturday. Have as much fun as you can, and celebrate one another's victories as you share testimonies.

Before you go through the devotional a second time, ask God who should go through it with you.

It may be obvious: maybe you have a friend who wants a study like this; maybe you lead a small group and are looking for new study materials.

If it's obvious, it's probably because God has already set things up. But if it isn't obvious, take time to listen. Surrender the whole idea to Him, and let God call the shots. Wait for Him to direct you; once He does, it's time to move forward.