3 Day Bible Reading Plan: “Ask, Seek, and Knock”
“Do you want God to be a genie or a father? On the surface, the idea of a genie-god sounds pretty appealing, doesn't it? Imagine a divine being whose sole purpose is to grant your every wish. Every time you asked for something, poof, it would be yours. Every time you were seeking something, you'd know with absolute certainty that you would find it. Every door standing in your way would swing open effortlessly at your command. We might think, “Wow, what could be better than that?” But I want to suggest that such a god would ultimately be disappointing. A god who simply dispenses wishes is more like a cosmic vending machine than a loving father. A genie-god may sound appealing, but what we truly need is so much more.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 5/18/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: Matthew 7:7-11 - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
How does the invitation to “ask, seek, knock” reflect the nature of God’s relationship with humanity, and what does it suggest about the role of human agency in prayer?
How does the passage’s emphasis on persistence in prayer inform our understanding of faith and trust in God when answers to prayer are delayed or unexpected?
What theological implications arise from the assurance that “everyone who asks receives,” particularly in light of human experiences of unanswered prayers or suffering?
Pause and Reflect: God invites me to approach Him with bold trust, knowing He desires to give good gifts, far surpassing human generosity. Heavenly Father, teach me to ask, seek, and knock with persistent faith, trusting Your perfect provision and timing in my life.
“Prayer is the appointed means for obtaining what we need. Pray; pray often; make a business of prayer, and be serious and earnest in it. Ask, as a beggar asks alms; seek, as for a thing of value that we have lost; knock, as he that desires to enter into the house, and hath business there.” - Matthew Henry
Day 2
Featured Verse: Luke 11:13 - “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
How does the promise of God giving the Holy Spirit shape our understanding of the nature and purpose of prayer in the Christian life?
What does the specific mention of the Holy Spirit as the gift suggest about the priorities of God’s provision for His people, compared to other possible blessings?
What are the theological implications of the Holy Spirit being given to those who ask, particularly in terms of empowerment, sanctification, and the mission of the church?
Pause and Reflect: God, in His boundless love, eagerly gives the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him, far surpassing any earthly parent’s generosity. Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Holy Spirit as I ask, guiding and empowering me to live according to Your will.
“Oh, what a promise! The Holy Spirit, the very life and power of God, is given to those who ask, for our Father delights to bestow this greatest of gifts. Let us, then, come boldly to the throne of grace, and plead for this divine gift, which shall make us holy, strong, and fit for the Master’s use.” - Charles Spurgeon
Day 3
Featured Verse: Romans 8:15-16 - “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons.”
How does the concept of adoption to sonship reshape our understanding of the believer’s relationship with God, particularly in contrast to the “slavery” and “fear” mentioned?
In what ways does the Spirit’s testimony with our spirit provide assurance of our identity as God’s children, and how might this influence a believer’s faith in times of doubt?
How does the assurance of being God’s children in this passage connect to the broader themes of inheritance, suffering, and hope in the context of Romans 8?
Pause and Reflect: The Spirit who frees me from fear, assures me of my adoption as God’s child, calling Him “Abba, Father.” Holy Spirit, deepen my trust in Your testimony, that I may live boldly as a beloved child of God.
“Romans 8 tells us we’re not slaves, but sons, crying ‘Abba, Father,’ because the Holy Ghost assures us we belong to God’s family, and that’s a comfort no devil can take away. When you’ve got that witness in your soul, you can face any trial, knowing you’re not just a servant, but a child of the King.” - D.L. Moody
