Walking with God: Cultivating Daily Communion and Awareness

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we are invited to embark on a profound journey of walking with God, inspired by the life of Enoch, a biblical figure who walked faithfully with God and was taken by Him. This concept of walking with God is not just a biblical principle but a core aspect of life itself. It is about living in constant communion with God, not just in moments of worship or prayer, but in every aspect of our daily lives. Enoch's life presents a contrast to the line of Cain, which was marked by violence and disobedience, showing us a picture of humanity as it was meant to be—living in harmony with God.

Walking with God involves more than just following rules or commandments; it is about cultivating a friendship with God, as Jesus invites us to do. This friendship is characterized by a continuous awareness of God's presence, a practice that Frank Laubach, a missionary and thinker, sought to develop. Laubach challenged himself to keep God in his thoughts constantly, even amidst the busyness of life. He proposed that it is possible to maintain a God-consciousness throughout the day, integrating God into every thought and action.

This practice is not about achieving perfection or being overly introspective but about making each moment an opportunity to connect with God. It is about striving to do every task, no matter how mundane, as if it were an act of worship. Laubach's experiment in living with God consciousness is a call to all of us to consider how we might integrate this practice into our own lives, whether we are working, caring for family, or engaging in any other daily activities.

The challenge is to make each moment an experiment in walking with God, to invite Him into our thoughts and actions, and to seek His guidance in all things. This is not an easy path, but it is one that promises a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God, one that echoes into eternity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Walking with God is about cultivating a continuous awareness of His presence, not just during moments of worship but in every aspect of life. This practice transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship and deepens our relationship with God. [03:17]

2. Enoch's life serves as a model for us, contrasting with the line of Cain, which was marked by disobedience. Enoch's faithful walk with God shows us the potential of humanity to live in harmony with God, as we were created to do. [01:59]

3. Frank Laubach's experiment in maintaining God-consciousness challenges us to integrate God into every thought and action, even amidst the busyness of life. This practice is not about achieving perfection but about making each moment an opportunity to connect with God. [05:46]

4. The journey of walking with God is not about introspection or achieving a state of constant prayer, but about inviting God into our daily lives and seeking His guidance in all things. This path promises a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. [06:19]

5. Making each moment an experiment in walking with God involves striving to do every task as if it were an act of worship. This practice transforms our lives and echoes into eternity, offering a glimpse of the life we were meant to live. [08:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Introduction to Walking with God
- [00:50] - The Emmanuel Principle
- [01:04] - The Life of Enoch
- [01:30] - Contrast with Cain's Line
- [02:18] - Walking as a Metaphor for Life
- [02:48] - Walking Before and After God
- [03:17] - Walking With God as Friendship
- [03:51] - Learning from Frank Laubach
- [04:33] - Continuous Contact with God
- [05:16] - The Challenge of God-Consciousness
- [06:19] - The Risk and Reward of Walking with God
- [07:10] - Integrating God into Daily Tasks
- [08:12] - Perfect Moments with God
- [08:58] - Making Each Moment an Experiment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Walking with God

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 5:21-24 - "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
2. Jude 1:14-15 - "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'"

Observation Questions:
1. What does the Bible say about Enoch's relationship with God in Genesis 5:21-24? How is his life described in contrast to others in his time? [01:04]
2. How does the sermon describe the line of Cain compared to the line of Seth, particularly in relation to Enoch? [01:30]
3. What does Frank Laubach's experiment in maintaining God-consciousness involve, according to the sermon? [05:46]
4. How does the sermon define "walking with God" in terms of friendship and daily life? [03:17]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What might it mean for someone today to "walk faithfully with God" as Enoch did? How can this be applied in modern life? [01:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Enoch's life serves as a model for living in harmony with God? [01:59]
3. How does Frank Laubach's idea of God-consciousness challenge traditional views of spirituality and daily life? [05:46]
4. What are the potential risks and rewards of striving to maintain a continuous awareness of God's presence, as discussed in the sermon? [06:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you invite God into your thoughts and actions throughout the day, even during mundane tasks? [08:58]
2. Consider a specific area of your life where you struggle to maintain a God-consciousness. What practical steps can you take to integrate God more fully into that area? [05:46]
3. How can you cultivate a friendship with God, as described in the sermon, in your current life circumstances? [03:17]
4. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What changes can you make to walk more closely with Him, as Enoch did? [01:04]
5. Identify one task or activity you do regularly. How can you transform it into an act of worship, as suggested by the sermon? [08:58]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to embark on this journey of walking with God? What role can you play in supporting them? [06:19]
7. Reflect on Frank Laubach's experiment. What is one small experiment you can try this week to increase your awareness of God's presence in your life? [05:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Continuous God-Awareness
Walking with God is about cultivating a continuous awareness of His presence, not just during moments of worship but in every aspect of life. This practice transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship and deepens our relationship with God. The life of Enoch serves as a profound example of this principle. Enoch walked faithfully with God, living in constant communion with Him, which ultimately led to his being taken by God. This continuous awareness is not about achieving perfection but about inviting God into every moment of our lives, allowing His presence to transform our daily routines into sacred acts of worship. [03:17]

"And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one mundane task you can transform into an act of worship today by inviting God's presence into it?


Day 2: Enoch's Faithful Walk
Enoch's life serves as a model for us, contrasting with the line of Cain, which was marked by disobedience. Enoch's faithful walk with God shows us the potential of humanity to live in harmony with God, as we were created to do. Unlike Cain's descendants, who were characterized by violence and separation from God, Enoch's life exemplifies a return to the intended relationship between humanity and the divine. His story encourages us to pursue a life of faithfulness and obedience, walking in step with God's will and purpose for our lives. [01:59]

"By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily actions with God's will, following Enoch's example of faithfulness?


Day 3: The Challenge of God-Consciousness
Frank Laubach's experiment in maintaining God-consciousness challenges us to integrate God into every thought and action, even amidst the busyness of life. This practice is not about achieving perfection but about making each moment an opportunity to connect with God. Laubach's approach encourages us to develop a habit of God-awareness, where we intentionally invite God into our thoughts and decisions throughout the day. This continuous connection with God can transform our lives, providing guidance and peace in every situation. [05:46]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself to invite God into your thoughts and actions throughout your busy day today?


Day 4: Inviting God into Daily Life
The journey of walking with God is not about introspection or achieving a state of constant prayer, but about inviting God into our daily lives and seeking His guidance in all things. This path promises a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. By consciously choosing to involve God in our daily decisions and activities, we open ourselves to His wisdom and direction. This practice is about building a friendship with God, where we rely on His presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [06:19]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision or situation today where you can actively seek God's guidance and invite Him into the process?


Day 5: Transforming Tasks into Worship
Making each moment an experiment in walking with God involves striving to do every task as if it were an act of worship. This practice transforms our lives and echoes into eternity, offering a glimpse of the life we were meant to live. By viewing our daily tasks as opportunities to honor God, we can infuse our routines with purpose and meaning. This approach encourages us to see every action, no matter how small, as a chance to glorify God and deepen our relationship with Him. [08:58]

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach a specific task today with the mindset of it being an act of worship to God?

Quotes


you today can walk with God you and I will be invited today to do a little experiment in Walking with God this is the Advent season leading up to Christmas and we're learning together about life with God the Emmanuel principle which is at the core not just of the Bible but really of life that we are invented invented we were created to do life together with God [00:29:22]

Enoch walked Faithfully with God and then he was no more because God took him somehow his death seems to have been a mysterious thing or he seems to have bypassed it to Simply Be With God he walked Faithfully with God we don't know a lot about him there's a few intriguing hints the book of Jude in the New Testament says he was the seventh man after Adam [01:10:50]

now walking is very often used in the Bible and in other ancient literature as well as in our day as simply a picture of your conduct of Life your way of life we will say to people don't just talk the talk walk the walk actually live it and is used with some different prepositions sometimes in the text Psalm 56 talks about walking before God you shall walk before God in his light [02:16:08]

and Jesus said to his followers now I no longer simply call you my servants I call you my friends he invites us into a life of Friendship with him from one moment what does that look like how do you seriously try to do that what does Walking with God mean for you from one moment to the next [03:26:22]

you and you and you and I do experience Fine Fresh contact with God sometimes and do carry out his will sometimes and you and I know that to be true one question now to be put to the test is this can we have this contact with God all the time don't say no yet can we all the time awake fall asleep in his arms awaken his presence can we attain that [04:26:28]

can we think his thoughts all the time or are there periods when business Pleasures crowding companions must necessarily push God out of our thoughts of course that's self-evident if somebody thinks about God all the time they'll never get anything done I thought so too until now but I am changing my view just invite you to consider this in your own experience [04:55:68]

is what Frank Lubbock said we can keep two things in mind at once indeed we cannot keep one thing in mind more than half a second mind is a flowing something it oscillates concentration is merely The Continuous return to the same problem from a million angles we do not think of one thing we always think of the relationship of at least two things and more often of three or more things simultaneously [05:18:54]

so really the challenge is this can I bring God back into my mind flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind as an after image shall always be one of the elements in every Concept in precept I choose to make the rest of my life an experiment in answering this question [05:46:44]

if what the scripture writers say is true then this Oneness with God is the most normal condition that we can have so that what goes on in most of our Lives isn't normal it's just usual I do not invite anybody else to follow this arduous path I wish many might we need to know so much what one person alone cannot answer [06:33:66]

can a laboring person successfully attain this continuing surrender to God can someone working at a machine pray for people all day long talk with God all day long and at the same time do their task efficiently can a merchant do business can an accountant keep books in our day be it the computer keyboard ceaselessly surrendered to God can a parent wash dishes care for the babies continuously talking to God [07:01:38]

any hour of any day may be perfect by merely choosing now think about those words he goes on it is perfect if one looks towards God that entire hour looking for his leadership all through the hour trying hard this is not apart from trying it includes it try hard to do every tiny thing exactly as God wishes itnan as perfectly as possible no emotions are necessary you don't even have to have faith [08:12:84]

just the doing of God's will makes this a perfect moment and the result of that one perfect moment I believe will echo down through eternity make this day if that's too much make this hour if that's too much make this moment an experiment oh God oh God oh God would you be with me will you let me be with you will be you be in my mind and help me to bring it back to you [08:50:64]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 14, 2022. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?