Love God Greatly- SET APART

Week 1 / Spiritually Set Apart 

Making God’s Word a Priority 

Read: Joshua 1:1–9 

SOAP***: Joshua 1:8 

This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.

Into the Text

What we know about, we speak about, and what fills our hearts, good or bad, wise or foolish, eventually overflows into our conversations. Our thoughts ultimately influence our lives, which is why keeping God’s Word at the forefront of our minds is vital to choosing to live set apart. As women, we have many competing messages tugging at us for attention. But we are not blown off course when God’s Word is central in our lives. Instead, God’s Word anchors us down so that when the waves of trials, temptations, and turmoil come our way, we are anchored securely to the truth. When God’s Word saturates our hearts and minds, it shapes our thoughts, desires, and, ultimately, our actions. It also holds us steady when we are tempted to compromise or doubt if we are making the right decision. 

Choosing to live set apart is beautiful. It is a quiet declaration saying, “Your ways are better than mine. Therefore, I choose you, Jesus, over the world.” 

The key word in Joshua 1:8 is “obey.” We must choose to have God’s Word in our hearts and minds to know and obey God’s will for our lives. Part of being women who live their lives set apart, counter-culturally to the world, is in the daily choice to say, “Your will, not mine.” To get to a place of that kind of surrender, we must have God’s Word on our minds night and day, anchoring us to God’s Truth. From the anchor of His Truth, we hold steadfast as the changing tides of our culture try to sway us to the right or left. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I choose You over the world. Help me to love Your Word and hide it in my heart so I can draw from it for strength and wisdom throughout my day. Empower me to obey You, not out of obligation, but out of my love for You and desire to honor You with my life. Amen.

***SOAP Method

S – SCRIPTURE
Physically write out the Bible verse
You’ll be amazed at what God will reveal to you when you slow down to write or meditate on what you are reading!

O – OBSERVATION
What do you see in the verses you’re reading?
Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you? What is the main lesson or theme?

A – APPLICATION
When God’s Word becomes personal
What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my life? Are there any changes I need to make?

P – PRAYER
Pray God’s Word back to Him
If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life. Take time to thank Him for His goodness in your life.

Meditating on God’s Word 

Read: Psalm 1:1–6 

SOAP: Psalm 1:1–3 

How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lᴏʀᴅ’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts.

Into the Text

Being a woman who lives set apart means our choices and life will look different from the world, and that’s okay. I love how God’s Word speaks directly to our hearts, giving us the hope, encouragement, and wisdom we need to live a life set apart for Him. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist paints a picture of a blessed life, one that is set apart for God, beginning with these powerful words: “How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers!” What a strong reminder to us as women who strive to walk in the ways of the Lord, to choose friends and influences that help us grow in our faith rather than lead us astray. 

I believe the key, though, to living a life set apart for God isn’t in what we avoid but rather in what we pursue. Verse 2 says, “Instead, he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.” Sweet friend, when we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we find both delight and direction for our lives. God’s Word becomes our compass, guiding our thoughts, actions, and choices. 

As we meditate on His Word, we’re reminded of who God is, how much He loves us, and His beautiful plans for our lives. The end result? A life that flourishes: “He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts” (Psalm 1:3). 

What an amazing promise! Just as a tree planted by flowing streams is nourished and grows strong, so will we as we drink deeply from the well of God’s Word. Our lives will bear fruit and our faith will remain steadfast.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help us to continually meditate on Your Word and be set apart for You, that we may flourish like a tree by flowing streams, bearing fruit in every season of life. Amen.

The Importance of Praying 

Read: Philippians 4:4–7 

SOAP: Philippians 4:6–7 

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Into the Text

I know the struggle of feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Some days, it can almost feel paralyzing. Maybe you’ve found yourself burdened from time to time with the weight of life’s worries and concerns, too. If you have, I want to remind you that God’s Word offers us a beautiful antidote to these anxious moments: prayer. Prayer is our direct line to the One who holds our lives in the palm of His hand. Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us that no matter the situation, we can bring our burdens to the Lord in prayer, and He promises to give us peace beyond our comprehension. 

But there is more to prayer than just seeking relief from our worries. Prayer also helps us live set apart for God, fully embracing our calling to live for His glory, not our own. In a selfie-obsessed world that constantly urges us to seek self-gratification and validation, it’s important to remember that we’re called to a different, more fulfilling path. As we pray, we deepen and develop our relationship with God, becoming more attuned to His voice while aligning our hearts with His. 

So, the next time you feel your heart racing and your mind spinning out of control, stop and pray. Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary as your kitchen becomes a cathedral and your commute becomes a pilgrimage. When you turn your burdens into prayers, you are well on your way to living a life that is set apart for God. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to pursue You rather than the world. Help me to come to you first with all the worries and concerns that weigh me down. Fill my restless heart with Your peace and help me reflect You to a hurting world. Amen.

Love, Knowledge, Insight 

Read: Philippians 1:3–11 

SOAP: Philippians 1:9–11 

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Into the Text

Paul’s prayer is for Christians’ love to overflow with knowledge and insight. It’s not just about having love; it’s about cultivating a love that grows in understanding and wisdom, the beautiful connection of heart and mind. This kind of love leads to discernment, purity, and righteousness, all to the glory of God. 

As women who live our lives set apart from the world, we are called to nurture this kind of love in our lives. God has more than enough love to fill our empty hearts. We can also read His Word to learn more of this love, and strive to be part of a community that challenges us to grow in our love. We can do this by being in God’s Word daily, engaging in prayer, and surrounding ourselves with a community that encourages and challenges us to grow our faith. By doing so, we cultivate a love grounded in truth, not swayed by the world. 

When we are filled with love, knowledge, and insight, we can make wise choices and navigate life’s challenges with grace. We can discern what is best amid the chaos, confusion, and noise. And we can love others with a love that is pure, blameless, and filled with the fruit of righteousness. 

So, let’s pursue this kind of love in our own lives. Let’s ask the Lord to help us grow in knowledge and insight as we study His Word, pray, and fellowship with other believers. Let’s seek to love others the way Christ loves us, reflecting His glory and praise in all we do. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You so much for the love and wisdom You so freely give us. Help me to increase in love and wisdom each day. Help me to abide in You so that I can produce the fruit of righteousness in my life that can only come from getting my love and wisdom from You. Amen.

Seek First God’s Kingdom 

Read: Matthew 6:25–34 

SOAP: Matthew 6:33 

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Into the Text

Above all. Above everything else that jockeys for your attention. Above everything that tugs at your heart, pursue God. 

Living a life set apart is about prioritizing our relationship with God and trusting Him to provide for our every need. When we pursue God instead of the world, we choose to live set apart. We become kingdom-minded and begin to see the world and our role in it with a different mindset. We find that our treasures and true satisfaction can only be found in Him. 

How do we seek God’s kingdom first? Begin each day in prayer. Before your feet hit the floor or you’ve reached for your phone, pray and thank God for the gift of another day and ask Him to guide you through it. Pray for opportunities to serve Him and the wisdom to recognize those opportunities. Dig into God’s Word by making reading the Bible a daily habit, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truths of God’s Word and how to apply them to your life. Surround yourself with godly influences by connecting with other sisters in Christ who will encourage and speak God’s truth into your life. Serve others by looking for ways to serve in your family, your local church, and your community. And lastly, trust God with your worries. Surrender your anxieties to God and trust Him to provide for your needs. 

Friend, as we intentionally seek God’s kingdom first, we’ll begin to see our lives transformed, choice by choice and day by day. We’ll experience the peace that comes from trusting in God’s promises and the joy of living for His glory. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Help me live a life that is set apart for You and Your glory. Help me to pursue Your kingdom and Your righteousness above anything else. Amen.

What did we learn this week? 

1. How does saturating our hearts and minds with God’s Word help us live a set-apart life and remain anchored to truth?
2. How can we practically implement the practice of meditating on God’s Word day and night in our lives to experience the blessings and spiritual growth described in Psalm 1:1–3?
3. How can we cultivate a daily habit of prayer to live set apart for God and experience His peace in every situation?
4. How can you intentionally cultivate a love that overflows with knowledge and insight in your daily walk with Christ? How might this impact your relationships with others?
5. How can we practically seek and prioritize God’s kingdom above all else in our daily lives?

Let’s memorize this verse! 

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 

Philippians 1:9–11 

Challenge yourself!

As we live set apart for God, we need wisdom and knowledge. We find this in God’s Word. This week, commit to spending devoted time in God’s Word each day. In addition to your daily quiet time, commit to spending time memorizing Scripture or praying over God’s Word at another time throughout the day.