I Dare You
Six Practices to Help You
Connect More Deeply with God
Below are resources for the practices featured during the I Dare You initiative to help you become more intentional about spiritual growth.
Six Practices to Help You
RESOURCES
We encourage you to utilize these resources for this initiative. The content is designed to help you grow in community and individually, and also to share with others who might benefit from them.
I DARE YOU BOOKLET
This booklet for the I Dare You series features a place for sermon notes, weekly dares or invitations to specific practices, three devotions for each practice, and discussion guides for groups.
WEEK 1 - PRAYER
Prayer Dares
For everyone
Spend five minutes in prayer every day following these five simple steps:
1. Worship God and thank Him for His love and His faithfulness.
2. Submit yourself to His will for the day.
3. Sit quietly for one minute and let God speak to your heart.
4. Thank God for His love and faithfulness.
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Spend five minutes in prayer every day following these five simple steps:
1. Worship God and thank Him for His love and His faithfulness.
2. Submit yourself to His will for the day.
3. Sit quietly for one minute and let God speak to your heart.
4. Thank God for His love and faithfulness.
For couples
- Spend two to three minutes (one for each) praying for each other before you go to bed. If you're not married, you can do this on FaceTime or over the phone.
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Write down three traits you want your child to embody as an adult. Pray over your child at bedtime and ask God to help you nurture those traits in your child.
- If you have children 3-9 - Ask them what makes them sad and what makes them happy. Then spend a few minutes praying that God would help them comfort others that are sad with the same things that comfort them.
- If you have an older child, ask them what is coming in their next week that they are nervous or anxious about and then tell them you want to pray with them to invite God's presence into that moment or task.
DOUBLE DARE:
- Try to spend 30 minutes this week in Silence and Solitude. This means turning off your phone and going somewhere you can be alone (your room, the bathroom, a park bench, the beach) and undisturbed with God.
- Begin by reading Psalm 100 slowly. Pause and take deep breaths and try to relax your body and your mind. Spend the first few minutes praising God and thanking Him for His goodness. Then, allow the Lord to lead you to pray for people and situations in your life.
PRAYER RESOURCES
Books on Prayer
How to Pray
by Pete Greig
by Pete Greig
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home
by Richard Foster
by Richard Foster
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracted World
by Paul E. Miller
by Paul E. Miller
Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders
by Dave Early
by Dave Early
Video Devotionals on Prayer
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Prayer, featured on YouTube
WEEK 2 - SCRIPTURE
Scripture Dares
For everyone
Read the Gospel of John this week by reading 3 chapters each day. It's 21 chapters long, so if you do 3 chapters per day (even if you have to spread it out throughout the day), you'll read an entire book of the Bible in one week!
Helpful Hack 1: Download the Bible app on your phone or tablet if you don't already have it.
Helpful Hack 2: The team over at Bible Project has some really helpful videos designed to help you better understand the books of the Bible, including John. Go to YouTube and simply search for "Bible Project, John" and watch the short intro video for John before you begin reading this week.
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Read the Gospel of John this week by reading 3 chapters each day. It's 21 chapters long, so if you do 3 chapters per day (even if you have to spread it out throughout the day), you'll read an entire book of the Bible in one week!
Helpful Hack 1: Download the Bible app on your phone or tablet if you don't already have it.
Helpful Hack 2: The team over at Bible Project has some really helpful videos designed to help you better understand the books of the Bible, including John. Go to YouTube and simply search for "Bible Project, John" and watch the short intro video for John before you begin reading this week.
For couples
- Read the Gospel of John this week by reading 3 chapters each day and then talk about it together over dinner or on the couch.
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Read Galatians 5:22-26 over your child at bedtime this week and pray that God would build these things in your child's life.
- If you have children 3-9 - Read the Psalm that corresponds to today's date (for example, read Psalm 23 on January 23, etc.) and ask your child to listen for any words they don't know. Then, talk to them about that word or phrase.
- If you have an older child, encourage them to read the Gospel of John along with you.
DOUBLE DARE:
- Our friends over at Bible Project just completed an incredibly helpful podcast series called The Paradigm designed to help you read and better understand the structure and the purpose of the Bible.
- Listen to the podcast series on iTunes, Spotify, or by going to bibleproject.com and clicking the "podcast" tab at the top.
SCRIPTURE RESOURCES
Books on Scripture
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
How to Read the Bible Book by Book
by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Surprised by Scripture
by NT Wright
by NT Wright
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes
by E. Randolph Richards
by E. Randolph Richards
What the Bible is All About
by Dr. Henrietta Mears
by Dr. Henrietta Mears
What the Bible is All About - Illustrated Family Edition
by Dr. Henrietta Mears
by Dr. Henrietta Mears
Video Devotionals on Scripture
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Scripture, featured on YouTube
WEEK 3 - SABBATH
Sabbath Dares
For everyone
Practice a four-hour Sabbath sometime this week (see page 26 in your booklet for suggestions for practicing a Sabbath).
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Practice a four-hour Sabbath sometime this week (see page 26 in your booklet for suggestions for practicing a Sabbath).
For couples
- Practice a four-hour Sabbath together this week.
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Find some time alone this week and sit down with a journal. Write a brief prayer to God about the joy and frustration of parenting in this season.
- If you have children 3-9 - Ask your child what are some things that help them feel close to God (example may include going to the beach, playing at the park, or getting prayed for at night). Make a list and then do one or two of those things this week.
- If you have an older child, encourage them to spend an entire day with no electronics (iPad, phone, games, TV, etc.) this week. Then discuss the experience with them.
DOUBLE DARE:
- Practice a full day (sundown the first day to sundown the next day) Sabbath this week (see page 26 in your booklet for suggestions for practicing a Sabbath).
SABBATH RESOURCES
Books on Sabbath
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
by John Mark Comer
by John Mark Comer
Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
by Walter Brueggemann
by Walter Brueggemann
Subversive Sabbath
by AJ Swoboda
by AJ Swoboda
Garden City
by John Mark Comer
by John Mark Comer
Video Devotionals on Sabbath
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Sabbath, featured on YouTube
WEEK 4 - SERVICE
Service Dares
For everyone
Choose a chore at home (or at work) that no one wants to do and take it on for the week.
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Choose a chore at home (or at work) that no one wants to do and take it on for the week.
For couples
- Take on a chore or household responsibility that usually belongs to your spouse. Do it for the week with a great attitude (and do it really well).
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Think of something that someone has done for you that has made your parenting journey a little easier (brought you a meal, bought you a coffee, watched your child for an afternoon, etc.) Do that for another family with your children.
- If you have children 3-9 - Do the same task as above, but have your child contribute by coloring or drawing something to send with the gift.
- If you have an older child, encourage them to take on a chore for the week that usually belongs to someone else.
DOUBLE DARE:
- Gather up your small group (or family or a group of friends) and serve at either (1) one of Ventura Missionary Church's partner ministries or (2) a neighbor's home.
SERVICE RESOURCES
Books on Service
Celebration of Discipline
by Richard Foster
by Richard Foster
Roaring Lambs
by Bob Briner
by Bob Briner
The Sacred Year
by Michael Yankoski
by Michael Yankoski
Strong and Weak
by Andy Crouch
by Andy Crouch
Video Devotionals on Service
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Service, featured on YouTube
WEEK 5 - PHYSICAL BODY
Care for Physical Body Dares
For everyone
Feel free to choose one or more of the following (or try all four!).
1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night this week.
2. Eliminate all fast food from your diet this week.
3. Get at least 20 minutes of exercise(walking counts) every day this week.
4. Be intentional about reducing your screen time (TV, phone, etc.) this week.
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Feel free to choose one or more of the following (or try all four!).
1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night this week.
2. Eliminate all fast food from your diet this week.
3. Get at least 20 minutes of exercise(walking counts) every day this week.
4. Be intentional about reducing your screen time (TV, phone, etc.) this week.
For couples
- Go on a walk together three times this week and try preparing a healthy meal together at least once this week.
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Introduce a new vegetable this week.
- If you have children 3-9 - Take your child to the grocery store or Farmer's Market and allow them to pick a new vegetable to try this week.
- If you have an older child, invite them to help you prepare one of the meals this week (including helping you shop for the ingredients).
DOUBLE DARE:
- Fast from one meal this week as a way of reclaiming control over the demands of your physical body. (find more information about fasting here: https://practicingtheway.org/practices/fasting)
Video Devotionals on Care for Physical Body
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Care of Physical Body, featured on YouTube
WEEK 6 - WORSHIP
Worship Dares
For everyone
Play the "Ventura Missionary Worship" playlist (or any worship playlist you prefer) on Spotify in the car this week. If you don't have Spotify, you can search for worship playlists on YouTube or Apple Music.
Note: Yes, worship is much more than music, but it's fascinating how what we listen to shapes our thoughts and our mood. Listening to worship music won't revolutionize your worship life, but it will quietly create space for your heart and mind to focus on truths about God.
For couples
For families
DOUBLE DARE:
Play the "Ventura Missionary Worship" playlist (or any worship playlist you prefer) on Spotify in the car this week. If you don't have Spotify, you can search for worship playlists on YouTube or Apple Music.
Note: Yes, worship is much more than music, but it's fascinating how what we listen to shapes our thoughts and our mood. Listening to worship music won't revolutionize your worship life, but it will quietly create space for your heart and mind to focus on truths about God.
For couples
- Play the "Ventura Missionary Worship" playlist on Spotify in your home this week. If you don't have Spotify, you can search for worship playlists on YouTube or Apple Music.
For families
- If you have children under 2 - Search for Kids Worship Songs on Spotify or Apple Music and select a playlist to use in the car this week.
- If you have children 3-9 - Search for Kids Worship Songs on Spotify or Apple Music and select a playlist to use in the car this week. On the way to school, talk to your child about the lyrics to the songs you are listening to.
- If you have an older child, invite them to find a worship playlist they want to listen to in the car this week.
DOUBLE DARE:
- Read Psalm 95:1-7 and reflect on it. Then, try writing your own Psalm of praise as an expression of worship to God. Don't worry, it doesn't have to rhyme or follow any specific format, just write what comes to your mind as you worship God.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
Books on Worship
You Are What You Love
by James K. A. Smith
by James K. A. Smith
Liturgy of the Ordinary
by Tish Harrison Warren
by Tish Harrison Warren
Facedown
by Matt Redman
by Matt Redman
Worship
by A W Tozer
by A W Tozer
Worship is a Verb
by Robert E. Webber
by Robert E. Webber
Unceasing Worship
by Harold Best
by Harold Best
Web Resources on Worship
Six Definitions of Worship by the Gospel Coalition
What is Worship by the Gospel Coalition
Video Devotionals on Worship
Ventura Missionary's Word of Encouragement Videos on Worship, featured on YouTube
*PLEASE NOTE: Ventura Missionary Church, and our leadership (including Pastor Doug) does not endorse every idea or theological perspective in these resources; however, we have found them to be helpful resources in developing a well-rounded understanding about our teaching series.