Greetings fellow AYO206 men!
Today makes one week since we finished our last session together at AOY 2016, how the time has passed by fast!
In this post, I want to talk to you all about your “Action Plan”. It is very easy after a spiritual conference like AOY to start to slip back into your pre-AOY habits. And I want to tell you right now – by the mercies of God don’t let it happen! Don’t be content with being the “boy-in-an-old-body” or the “half-a-man” you were before we studied together.
So what is an action plan? Well, I’m glad you asked! The action plan is you, working out, with God what you need to put into action since the conference. But the key point here is “action” this plan needs to become reality. So let’s get to it.
Step 1 – Print out these two pages “God’s Reasoning” and “My Action Plan”.
Step 2 – Open your Bible to Isaiah 1:16-18 – God wants to change in our lives, first by putting away and then second by learning what to do. But notice that He wants to “reason” with us. This means that God wants to show us the areas where He wants to start work in us. (Remember God is the One that puts the enmity in us, writes the law in us, takes out our stony hearts – He does it)
Step 3 – Ask God to reason with you and to show you the things which you must “Wash yourselves” from, “Put away” and “Cease to do”. These things are our “idols”. In each of the dimensions of your manhood, list those things which need to be “put away” on your “God’s Reasoning” sheet in the “the old Idol” column (see below for an example).
Step 4 – Now remember for each “Idol” we have removed, we must have God replace it with something else. Otherwise, we are just making room for something worse. So now, for each of the things (old idols) that God has shown you need to be removed, in the column opposite, list whatever God brings to mind which needs to be “learnt”, or “sought after” as this is what will replace the old “Idol” (see below for an example).
Step 5 – Now based on what God has talked to you about and what you have listed on the “Reasoning” sheet. Pick three things that really stand out to you and put them on your “Action Plan” sheet (see below for an example).
Step 6 – Now that you have your three points (or old idols) you need to put away. Explain now how with God’s help and His mercies how you are going to replace that old idol by writing out the point God told you to write in the “learn to do” column. (see the example below)
Step 7 – You have your first “Action Plan” – now you need to find a friend to help you be accountable – that might be me, another brother from church who is doing this with you – or someone you can check in with each day or so. (I will talk about being accountable in a future post).
Step 8 – Give this plan to God – and say something to the effect – “Lord, I want to present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, which is my reasonable service. Please keep me from being conformed to this world, but instead be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may know You and Your perfect will! You have led me to create this action plan and now I need you to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before your presence. Today help me to do 1, 2, and 3 (read the action points to the good Lord).
I know this might seem really hard to do – it is for a boy, but we are no longer boys, we are His men. So take the time, spend time in the study of Isaiah 1:16-18 and spend time in prayer. Let God lead you, and you will be surprised, and blessed how much God really does want to communicate with you. If any of you have questions feel free to ask!
I’ll be praying for you all as you spend time this week creating your action plan!
Blessings,
rb
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Sample God’s Reasoning
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| My Dimensions |
Reasoning to “Put away”, “Cease to do” etc.
(The Old Idol) |
Reasoning to “Learn to do”, “Seek after” etc.
(The Truth that Replaces the Idol) |
| Physical |
– Stop sleeping in, staying up late.
– Stop eating unhealthy
– Being drinking soda |
– Go to bed early
– Exercise more.
– Start eating healthier
– Drink more water |
| Mental |
– Cut down on TV/movies
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Spend more time reading |
| Spiritual |
– Stop being late for church
– Stop daydreaming at church
– Stop being so lazy at church when it comes to singing praise to God |
– Spend more time in prayer
– Memorize more scripture
– Get involved with a Bible study group
– Prayer for your own Bible study contact |
| Social |
– Reduce the amount of time I spend on social media.
– Reduce the amount of time I spend in ladies company compared to men’s |
– find more man to hang out with
– start a manhood study group |
| Emotional |
Stop getting emotionally involved with single ladies
Break of unequally yoked relationships |
– learn to express your feelings by learning to communicate with your mother |
| Sexual |
– Stop masturbation
– Get ride of a pornography collection
– Break off sexual relationships outside of marriage. |
– Get an internet pornography filter for your wifi
– Learn more about sexuality in a holy context |
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Sample Action Plan
1 – (The Idol) Reduce the amount of time I spend on social media etc. (The Replacement) And by God’s mercy I will do that by a) going on a media fast and b) by spending real time with other men who want to study and grow together.
2 – (The Idol) Get rid of my pornography collection. (The Replacement) And by God’s mercy I will do that by a) throwing out my magazines b) deleting my images and videos collection and c) getting an internet porn filter and d) finding something better to do with my ‘viewing’ time.
3 – (The Idol) Stop being so lazy at church, especially when it comes to praising God through song. (The Replacement) And by God’s mercy, I will seek to learn the songs I am singing, sing louder, sing clearer, stand closer to the front of the church and encourage others to worship God with their voices.
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