Devotional Discipleship: Life Lessons from 39 Books

By Dale E. Hickey

At the end of each devotional is a brief review, and at the end of the book is an opportunity to dig deeper into Gods Word. The reader and the disciple will be able to reflect on a key concept and re-examine the Scripture text together. This is an ideal time to work with another person or in small group to follow up and develop meaningful discipleship relationships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449757755

Dale E. Hickey

I am a retired pastor, Christian school teacher, and school administrator with over forty-five years in Gospel ministry. I have been married to Suzy Ayers since 1963. Together as foster parents, we have helped raise eleven children. After a serious illness and a long stay in the hospital, I felt I needed to exercise my gray matter to avoid complication from the medication. Writing was always a demand in my ministry but a very difficult task to accomplish. I felt led to try writing devotionals and e-mailing them to my friends and acquaintances. I then studied how to build a website to expand my circle of influence. The greatest challenge to my childhood fear of failure was this project. I want this to be a blessing and ultimately help many to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” MY DISCIPLESHIP CORE VALUES Discipleship: Helping others grow in Christ Ministry: Serving the needs of others through Christ Evangelism: Sharing God’s love and gift of eternal life to everyone Worship: Experiencing Him in the joy and presence of His spirit Fellowship: Guiding others to connect with the body of Christ

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Copyright © 2012 by Dale E. Hickey.

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Scripture marked NIV taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AB are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

All Scripture quotations in this publications marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-5777-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5776-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5775-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012911557

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/20/2012

Contents

Expression of Gratitude

Introduction

A Call to Devotional Discipleship

Devotional Discipleship Manifesto

Thirty-Nine Devotional

Studies from Thirty-Nine

Old Testament Books

Appendixes

Appendix 1

Affirmations from Each Devotional

Appendix 2

Witnessing Tool for the Disciple:

Explaining the Gift of Eternal Life

Appendix 3

An Acrostic for How to SEARCH

the Scriptures

Appendix 4

The R’s of Bible Study

Appendix 5

Old Testament Books Listed

by Phone Number 593-5593

Appendix 6

Devotional Discipleship Study Guides with Reflections and Reexaminations

About the Author

My Discipleship Core Values

Acknowledgment of Research and Inspirational Resources

Expression of Gratitude

I want to thank my wife for all her patience and hard work on this project. Also, I am grateful for God’s gift of salvation. Without His guidance, I would not have started nor completed this devotional.

Introduction

The Old Testament consists of thirty-nine books. In these books, God gives us a record of His love for mankind and concise documentation of His faithfulness. The word testament means a pledge, promise, contract, or covenant. Each of the thirty-nine books describes man’s fallen behavior and God’s repeated resolve regarding redemption. Love and redemption is the Old Testament’s recurring theme. Luke 24:44 (KJV) says, And he said unto them, ‘These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.’

God gave His first promise or covenant of redemption in Genesis 3:15 (NKJV): And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. The Old Testament contains many prophecies concerning the Messiah and His coming eternal kingdom.

Every prophecy is proof of God’s omniscience and foreknowledge. One example is Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV): For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The promised Prince of Peace would be a male child born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He would be called Immanuel and many other names and titles, such as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father. He is God in the flesh and will reign over the house of David.

These and many other prophecies were accomplished because God is Truth. He inspired every word. God breathed each word, both spoken and written. The Holy Spirit moved upon every writer. There are neither errors nor mistakes. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV).

A Call to Devotional Discipleship

For your encouragement and growth in discipleship, I have selected one verse from each Old Testament book as the basis for thirty-nine devotionals. Together they present an opportunity to appreciate the practical wisdom of the Old Testament and to cultivate a discipleship ministry. Along with the study guides in the appendix, these devotionals provide for individual growth, a one-on-one discipleship ministry, or a group study experience. At the end of each devotional is a brief review with three sentences and blank spaces to write in. This review process will help solidify key thoughts from each devotional.

In the appendix at the end of the book, you will have an opportunity to dig deeper into God’s Word. This is a good time to reflect, reexamine the Scripture text, and record God’s application to your life. Make time to read and review each devotional. Then, use the study guides to reflect on each Scripture passage and key thoughts that inspire you while reading. To dig even deeper, reexamine each Scripture passage and record its application to your life.

This is also an ideal time for building a discipleship experience. You can study individually, one-on-one with another person, or in a small group to develop meaningful discipleship relationships. Use this booklet to help someone discover God’s love and redemption while learning how to "teach others to