Walking with God
Introduction
Walking with God is a central theme in the Bible, representing a close and continuous relationship with Him. This study explores what it means to walk with God, using various scriptures to illustrate how believers can live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Outline of this Lesson
1. Obedience and Faithfulness:
Example of Enoch (Genesis 5:24)**: Enoch's life is a powerful example of someone who walked faithfully with God. His walk was characterized by continuous fellowship and obedience, leading to him being taken directly by God.
Genesis 5:24: "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
Noah (Genesis 6:9)**: Noah’s faithfulness and obedience to God's commands amidst a corrupt world highlight the importance of righteous living. His commitment to God’s instructions saved his family and preserved humanity.
Genesis 6:9: "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God."
2. Humility and Dependence**:
- Micah 6:8: This verse emphasizes walking humbly with God, which means recognizing our dependence on Him and submitting to His will. Humility in our walk with God involves acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways.
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
3. Living by Faith:
- Hebrews 11:5-7: This passage recounts the faith of Enoch and Noah, illustrating that walking with God requires a steadfast trust in His promises even when they are not yet visible.
4. Rooted in Christ:
- Colossians 2:6-7: Walking with God in the New Testament context means living a life rooted in Christ. It involves continual growth in faith, being built up in the teachings of Christ, and expressing gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Practical Steps to Walk with God
1. Daily Devotion and Prayer
- Spend time daily in prayer and reading the Bible. This builds a strong foundation of communication and understanding of God's will.
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16).
15But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray. 17One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. People had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick.…
2. Obey God's Commands
- Strive to live according to the teachings of the Bible. Obedience is a crucial aspect of walking with God.
Abraham's obedience to God's command to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1-4).
1Now the LORD said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
4So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
3. Practice Humility and Repentance
- Humility involves recognizing our shortcomings and turning to God for guidance and forgiveness.
King David’s repentance after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51).
according to Your loving devotion;
according to Your great compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me clean of my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4Against You, You only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight,
4. Community and Fellowship
- Engage with a community of believers for mutual encouragement and accountability. Walking with God is not a solitary journey but one that benefits from communal support.
- Early Christians devoted themselves to fellowship and the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42-47).
42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
5. Live Out Your Faith
- Demonstrate your faith through actions, such as serving others and sharing the gospel.
-The Good Samaritan's act of kindness (Luke 10:25-37).
25And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 28And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
Discussion Questions
1. What does walking humbly with God look like in your daily life?
2. How can you incorporate more time for prayer and Bible study in your routine?
3. What are some challenges you face in obeying God's commands, and how can you overcome them?
4. How does being part of a faith community help you in your walk with God?
Conclusion
Walking with God involves a daily commitment to faith, obedience, humility, and community. By following biblical examples and practical steps, believers can cultivate a closer relationship with God and live a life that reflects His will.
By Rev Dr Rolando E Santiago DD, DPM, ThD
President- EaglesNest Christian Academy and School of Theology
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