Leader s Guide for Session Two: Learning New Habits

Transcription

1 Leader s Guide for Session Two: Learning New Habits Main Theme: Spiritual Formation Ask participants to read the pamphlet before meeting for study. Materials Needed: Pamphlet: Learning New Habits by Safiyah Fosua Bible Newsprint or white board and markers Photocopy the Session Two Small Group Activity Handout for the group Photocopy the list of the means of grace for the group. Write the following means of grace on 2 sheets of newsprint: Means of Grace Works of Piety (Personal Holiness) Works of Mercy (Social Holiness) Prayer (private & family) Public worship The Lord s Supper Reading & studying Scripture Christian conference Fasting or abstinence Peacemaking Acting for the common good Regular participation in a small group, for spiritual nurture and accountability Feeding the hungry Clothing the naked Caring for the sick Visiting the jails and prisons Sheltering the homeless Welcoming the stranger

2 Key Terms & Concepts from Learning New Habits Discipline -- many of us have been conditioned to think of discipline as punishment. Spiritual discipline is different. Spiritual Discipline is training that corrects, molds or perfects mental intellect and moral character. The Apostle Paul encouraged us to practice self-discipline, like the discipline practiced by a great athlete, in order to experience spiritual growth. In the New Testament, discipline had an accompanying promise that instruction, submission and enduring hardship prepared the believer for more righteous living and ultimately, heavenly reward. Read Romans 5:3 5 and 2 Timothy 3:16. Spiritual Disciplines Over the years, the Church has embraced a variety of spiritual disciplines. In his book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster s list includes: meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance and celebration. In the Methodist tradition, several spiritual disciplines make up John Wesley s list of the means of grace. A spiritual discipline, when practiced faithfully and regularly, becomes a normal and routine part of our lives. Spiritual disciplines strip down the barriers that we erect or allow to stand between us and God. The spiritual disciplines continually heighten our desire, awareness, and love for God. The ultimate function of the spiritual disciplines is to help us understand how good life is under God in God s kingdom or reign. Spiritual Formation is the process of becoming more Christlike. This process requires both self-discipline and submission to God s discipline. Practicing the spiritual disciplines is one of the ways by which we grow spiritually. In the Methodist tradition, the spiritual disciplines are included in what John Wesley called the means of grace. Means of Grace or ways that we receive grace from God. In his article, Means of Grace, Tom Albin, Wesley scholar and Dean of the Upper Room Chapel, notes: John Wesley believed that Jesus is God's means of grace. For him, the "means of grace" were also "works of piety" (spiritual disciplines) and works of mercy (doing good to others). He said that means of grace are: "...outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace. John Wesley s list of the means of grace differed slightly depending on the audience he addressed. For example, when Wesley spoke of the means of grace to preachers noted in the Minutes of Several Conversations, he did not include worship in that list. Wesley s list of the means of grace was slightly different in the General Rules of Our United Societies. Finally, Wesley preached a sermon on the Means of Grace. From these three sources, the combined list of the means of grace appear below in the works of piety and works of mercy.

3 The Means of Grace Works of Piety (Personal Holiness) Prayer (private & family) Public worship The Lord s Supper Reading & studying Scripture Christian conference Fasting or abstinence Peacemaking Acting for the common good Regular participation in a small group, for spiritual nurture and accountability. Works of Mercy (Social Holiness) Feeding the hungry Clothing the naked Caring for the sick Visiting the jails and prisons Sheltering the homeless Welcoming the stranger Bible Readings: The leader should prepare for the lesson by reading and reflecting on the following passages under each term. Spiritual Discipline 1 Corinthians 9: Timothy 1:6 9 Prayer Romans 8: Thessalonians 5:16 19 Small Group Ministry 1 Thessalonians 5:14 15 Acts 9:22 28 Communion 1 Corinthians 11:23 24 Matthew 26:26 30

4 Bible Study Hebrews 4:12 Summary of Content: The key theme of the pamphlet is spiritual formation. Author, Safiyah Fosua, compares spiritual growth to an on-going journey. The goal of this journey is to become more Christlike. Spiritual growth and formation require discipline. Paul used the image of a great athlete in training to describe the type of discipline to be practiced for spiritual growth. In the Methodist Church, the spiritual disciplines and sacraments are often called means of grace. Some of the most commonly practiced spiritual disciplines are prayer, Bible study, small spiritual accountability groups and the sacraments. The sacrament of Holy Communion was a spiritual discipline of vital importance to John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Wesley received Holy Communion frequently, an average of four times a week. Communion reminds us to give thanks for salvation through Jesus Christ. Small Group Activities: Spiritual Check-in: Invite the group to share their experience with reading the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide or with following God s prompts to pray from last week s Next Steps section in the Session One Small Group Activity Handout. Icebreaker Ask the group: When you hear the word discipline, what thoughts come to mind? Invite the group to share responses. A speaker once said, The real purpose of discipline is liberation. Invite participants to form groups of 3 or 4 and discuss what they believe the speaker meant by that saying. Discussion Starters 1. Read the following quote. It is one thing to praise discipline, and another to submit to it. Don Quixote de La Mancha. Ask participants to talk about what it means to submit to discipline.

5 2. Write, The Plan, on newsprint or a white board. Invite people to share what they believe belongs in a Christian s spiritual formation plan. 3. Tape a list of the works of piety and works of mercy on the wall and compare it to the spiritual formation plan suggested by the participants. Note the similarities and differences in the two lists. Talk about ways in which individuals in the group are already participating in any of the means of grace listed. Invite persons to share how such participation impacts them. 4. With regard to spiritual matters, it is important to know the function of self-discipline and a spiritual discipline. Self-discipline, as expressed through willpower and determination, is powerless to transform us spiritually. Self-discipline is vitally important in making the choice to participate in the spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, worship and others listed among the means of grace, have the ability to lead us into the presence of God where spiritual transformation can occur. As a group, discuss the significance of these statements. Closing Prayer (Read Together) Gracious God, thank you for the spiritual disciplines. Teach us to trust them to lead us into the presence of your Holy Spirit. We welcome your transforming power. Set us free me from any destructive habits we have. Develop within us new, Godapproved habits. Guide us as we travel along the Christian journey with you. Next Steps Read through the spiritual formation plan in the Small Group Activity Handout. Try one or more of the suggestions throughout the week. Keep track of your participation in spiritual formation by using the chart in the handout. Be prepared to discuss your experience with the group during your next session. Suggested Resources: Definition of Spiritual Formation Soul Feast The Process of Spiritual Formation Words on Spiritual Direction, Part One Words on Spiritual Direction, Part Two

6 Words on Spiritual Direction, Part Three The Practice of Journaling The Practice of Prayer Why Small Groups? Means of Grace Covenant Discipleship Quarterly: Means of Grace A Theology of Discipleship Spiritual Disciplines: Works of Piety Spiritual Disciplines: Works of Mercy Opening Ourselves to Grace: The Basics of Christian Discipleship Praying as We Are Key Christians Mentioned in Learning New Habits John Wesley Augustine of Hippo Sojourner Truth Dorothy Day Francis of Assisi

7 Session Two, Small Group Activity Handout Spiritual Formation Plan Read and discuss the following topics with the group. Discipline: Self-discipline find a trusted person, or group of trusted people to help you establish and practice the discipline of spiritual formation. Prayer Suggestions: Prayer is a deep, personal encounter with the living God. Develop the habit of praying regularly. Paul, urged disciples to pray without ceasing. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (emphasis mine) 1 Thessalonians 5:16 18 NRSV Prayer is also a conversation. Try listening, first, for God s voice before you pray. Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NRSV The Lord s Prayer (Read Matthew 6:9 13, various versions of the Lord s Prayer appear in the United Methodist Hymnal #894, 895, & 896) Breath Prayer a basic prayer repeated frequently, such as, Give us peace or Lord, have mercy. Early Christians repeated breath prayers endlessly to develop the habit of praying without distraction. Ultimately, prayer moved from something they did to something they were. Prayer as something we do is referred to as prayer of the heart. Prayer Journals writing helps some people express themselves more fully to God. Try writing letters to God, poetry to God, or just write what comes from your heart. Read what you write aloud or silently to God as your prayer. Prayer through art consider praying through drawing, painting, sculpting, dance, etc. The aim is to offer your sincere expressions of the heart to God. Pay attention to the way God responds to your prayer offering.

8 Bible Reading/Study Suggestions: Read a passage of Scripture three times using a different Bible version each time. Consider using a modern translation or paraphrase one of the times. Imagine yourself as a participant in the biblical text. Discuss how you experienced the passage of Scripture as a participant rather than as a 21 st century spectator. Small Group Suggestions: Participate in a small group on a regular basis, such as: Bible study, prayer group, Sunday school, Covenant Disciple group, or an informal group of Christian friends. Get involved with other Christians who are concerned about your spiritual well-being. Suggestions for Communion Preparation: 1. Read and meditate on the communion liturgy in the United Methodist Hymnal on pages 9 11 as part of your devotional reading. 2. Read and/or sing through the words of some of the hymns listed in the section of the United Methodist Hymnal called Eucharist (Holy Communion or The Lord s Supper) # Meditate on the meaning of the words. 3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23 34 Some people like to keep track of their participation in spiritual formation throughout the week. Consider using a chart like the one below. Prayer Bible Study Small Group Devotional Reading Exercise Recreation Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

9 Closing Prayer (Read Together) Gracious God, thank you for the spiritual disciplines. Teach us to trust them to lead us into the presence of your Holy Spirit. We welcome your transforming power. Set us free me from any destructive habits we have. Develop within us new, Godapproved habits. Guide us as we travel along the Christian journey with you. Next Steps Read through the spiritual formation plan in the Small Group Activity Handout. Try one or more of the suggestions throughout the week. Keep track of your participation in spiritual formation by using the chart in the handout. Be prepared to discuss your experience with the group during your next session. *Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Kwasi Kena is the Director of Evangelism Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. Please direct suggestions and comments to him at Copyright 2007 the General Board of Discipleship. Any or all of this Pathways to Christ Leader Guide may be printed, copied, distributed, reprinted in church bulletins or newsletters, or otherwise used for nonprofit local church use with the inclusion of the copyright citation and General Board of Discipleship evangelism website ( as its source. It may not be used for profit or republication without prior permission. It may not be reproduced on another website, although other websites are welcome to link to it.

10 The Means of Grace Works of Piety (Personal Holiness) Works of Mercy (Social Holiness) Prayer (private & family) Public worship The Lord s Supper Reading & studying Scripture Christian conference Fasting or abstinence Peacemaking Acting for the common good Regular participation in a small group, for spiritual nurture and accountability. Feeding the hungry Clothing the naked Caring for the sick Visiting the jails and prisons Sheltering the homeless Welcoming the stranger