Bible Study by PRAIJN

Bible Study

Back to School with God Series #3

Be Bold in Learning for God

Readings for August 22-28

Focus: God ask you to show boldness when you study and learn whether in His classroom or in His sanctuary.

Boldness is an important skill for the student and learner. It speaks to us about quiet confidence, inner strength, and certainty in our lives. Christian believers are challenged daily, yet encouraged to engage God boldly and to find confidence in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and fins grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 17 NKJV.

Boldness does not mean that you are boisterous, loud, or obnoxious. Rather, God intends that coming to boldness means knowing that He with you every day in school, at work, and at play. I will learn well if I abide in Jesus for He abides within me.

What does God want me to do with my boldness? God’s plan is for you to use your boldness to tell others about His glory and goodness. He asks you to:

1. Use your boldness to receive wisdom from your teachers and other adults in your life.

2. Be confident and have certainty as you read, study, and prepare.

3. Share your boldness about God with others, believers and non-believers.

What is the outcome of my boldness? Christians of all ages are quick to ask this question daily. For students and learners, God expects your boldness and its message to be simple.

1. I should learn well and do my best always.

2. Model God’s goodness and grace at school.

3. Praise God daily and thank him for all your many blessings that have come from your boldness in service to Him.

Application. Are you bold for God? Today, start a list of the ways that you are bold for God. If you have difficulty making the list, step away from it for a day. Return later in the week to complete your list. Can’t do it? Pray and ask God to show you boldness? Praise God for giving you the ability to think about boldness. Coming in to boldness for God does not happen overnight. Boldness is nurtured in the faith, strengthened by goodness and mercy, then practiced with celebration and honor!

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Sources: Prayer adapted from Copeland, G. (2002). Prayers that avail much for teens. Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, pgs. 46-48.

Application exercise by Doris Wright Carroll, (2005). Bethel A.M.E. Church, Manhattan, KS.

Scripture Readings

Readings for August 22-28

Parents are encouraged to read these scriptures daily to their children before they leave for school using language they can understand. They can be used as after-school devotional activities for your family.

Aug. 22 Speak boldly. Eph. 6: 18-20

The Spirit speaks within you. Matt. 10: 19-20.

Aug. 23 Boldness is your gift from God. 2 Tim. 1: 6-7

Aug. 24 The Lord is Your Helper Heb. 13: 6

Be righteous and bold. Prov. 28: 1

Aug. 25 Stand Up and Be Counted Judges 4: 23

Aug.26 Go Boldly Heb. 4: 16

Aug. 27 If you lack wisdom, just ask God

and Be of Good Faith James 1: 5-6

Aug. 28 Prayer for Boldness Acts 4: 23-31

A Breath Prayer for Boldness

A breath prayer is a short prayer that you whisper to God as you go about your daily business. It’s a secret. No one else in the room needs to know that you are praying. You can pray while in class, in the grocery store, at practice, anywhere you wish. I can pray the breath prayer, Lord, help me to call upon you with boldness, when ______

§ I am having a ‘bad” day in school or work.

§ I fail to achieve my goals.

§ I am trying something new.

§ I am tempted to lash out at others.

§ I am feeling stupid.

§ I must make an important decision.

Back to School with God Series

The “Back to school with God” Series” is a four-week set of scriptures and activities that will help children and their families prepare spiritually for the school year. In the A.ME Connectional church, we all are guardians of our children in their learning. Borrowing from to the African proverb,” It takes a [Christian] village to raise our children according to God’s plans”.

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The Women’s Study Bible New King James Version. (1995). Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers. p. 1073.

Jordan, Edna C. (2004). Breath Prayers for African Americans. Simple Whispers That Keep You in God’s Presence). Colorado Springs, Co: Honor Books.