Four Fresh Ideas for Abiding in Christ

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you . . .” (John 15:7)

Looking for some fresh ways to help someone abide in the Lord more deeply? Consider trying one of these four creative ideas on your own or with others.

Read

Read Psalm 103 out loud together, perhaps from a fresh Bible translation. Notice and highlight the many awesome things God does for you. Then respond to Him as David suggested: “Praise the Eternal; sing a song from a grateful heart” (verse 2 VOICE).

Personalize

Read Psalm 23 (or another short psalm). Then rewrite or paraphrase it from God’s perspective, as though He were speaking to you. For instance, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, might sound something like this: Dear [your name], I am your Good Shepherd, Father, Counselor, and Friend. I will provide for everything you really need.

Memorize

Select and memorize a verse about God’s heart and simply quote it as soon as you wake up every morning. Here are a couple of great morning verses:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
(Psalm 143:8)

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22,23)

Listen

We know that God reveals Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. But He also speaks through ordinary parts of nature, as mentioned here: The heavens declare the glory of God . . . Day after day they pour forth speech (Psalm 19:1,2). Abide with Jesus while spending some time under the sky, at night or during the day. Just listen. What are the heavens saying? What do you learn about His glory?

^{By Keith Pepsny
Navigators Campus and Alumni Director
University of Washington
for The Navigators.}