Lesson Four: Building Process 1 - Deepening the Devotional Life

Jesus is the Son of God who came down to earth and was born as a human being. He was fully God and fully man. While being fully man, he was perfectly submissive to the Father. He lived a regular human life, and the record of his public ministry in the gospels reveals that Jesus lived a very active and busy life. In the midst of pressing demands from people to whom He ministered, Jesus’ devotion to the Father shone even brighter. We can see a glimpse of that in the following passages in Mark 1:35 and Mark 6:45-47.

Jesus chose to spend time with the Father at the time when people were not yet coming to Him for help – very early in the morning, and when the people had already gone home – late in the day. Times spent with the Father were like two parentheses that opened and closed his day. The priority that Jesus gave to his time with the Father was evidence of his utter dependence on the Father as he faced the challenges and temptations of human life while seeking to fulfill His mission. He gave us an example to follow.

How can you find the time and place for your personal devotional time with God that will help you relate to Him intimately and exclusively?

How the Devotional Life Builds the Prayer Life

• A meaningful devotional life results in a growing knowledge of God.
• A growing knowledge of God makes prayer a pleasurable experience rather than just a duty to fulfill, thus greatly increasing motivation to pray. (Psalm 16:11)
• Regular private time with God strengthens a believer against temptation and sin, thus keeping the prayer channel open. (Matthew 26:41; Psalm 66:18)