Carry it On: Get Resourced!

So, the Draw Near Initiative is officially finished, but that doesn’t mean that we will stop drawing near to the Lord! We challenge you to take what you’ve learned this month and carry it on! Through this summer, through next year, through the rest of your life! God will continue to bless your commitment to spend time with Him and continue to bring you deeper into Him. God won’t ever stop being jealous for us, even if we no longer have a daily devotional book from InterVarsity.

We also understand that it can be challenging to continue in spending time with the Lord, especially if this is the first time you’ve truly committed yourself to spending time with Him daily. To help you out in continuing to take the initiative, we’ve put together a handy list of resources! Did one of the themes really strike a chord with you? Do you feel that God wants you to study His word more deeply? To grow in your prayer life? Check out whatever interests you most, and get excited for what God has in store!

Word

• Sermons by Scripture talks by John Piper
• This link will take you to a complete list of sermons organized by book of the Bible, written by John Piper at Desiring God. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, this site is PACKED with sermons from all over the word of God, to help you want more of Him!
• Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
• The section on the Word from this book is a great overview of what it looks like to study the Word. It’s a little more informational, but really great! It gives you the why
• “The Bible” - talk from Sermon Series called “Roots” by pastor Jason Smith of Harvest Pointe Community Church in Charles Town, WV

Prayer

• Celebration of Discipline: the Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster
• This book is seriously awesome on all of the Spiritual Disciplines, and the section on prayer is particularly strong!
• Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels
• Prayer Resource List from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City
• Here are some resources recommended by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City involving prayer. These resources bring up praying the Psalms, how Scripture can enhance prayer, and listening in prayer. Check them out and see how your relationship with the Lord could grow after reading them!
• Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
• Sections on Prayer, Meditation
• The Importance of Prayer by Reverend Bruce Goettsche

Fellowship

• Seek out community with believers this summer! Are you going home? Get connected with a good Bible study! Working at a summer camp? Start a weekly prayer night with your co-counselors! Wherever you go, know that God has made us to be in relationship with each other.
• Keep in contact with your Small Group. Create a prayer calendar - commit to praying for one member of your SG each day throughout the summer, and call/text/facebook/email him or her on the day you pray for them.
• The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love by James Bryan Smith

Witness

• Out of the Saltshaker and into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life by Rebecca Manly Pippert
• Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey by Rick Richardson

General Growth/Devotionals

• The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus by Stephen Smallman
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
• This is a great yearly devotional that has a devo for every day of the year.
• “Spending Quality Time with God Daily” from eternityimpact.com