SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Transcription

1 DOING THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES TOGETHER A Study Based on Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life By Donald S. Whitney PLACING OURSELVES IN THE PATH OF GOD S GRACE

2 A QUICK REVIEW

3 Spiritual Disciplines Bible Intake Bible Intake II Prayer Worship Evangelism Service Stewardship Fasting Silence & Solitude Journaling Learning

4 The Spiritual Disciplines are a PRACTICAL set of activities that help us in our PURSUIT of realizing the fullness of His gracious PROVISION. They are about becoming what we already are

5 Goals OF PRACTICING THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

6 Goals of Spiritual Disciplines Train Trainyourself yourselffor forgodliness; godliness; for is of for while whilebodily bodilytraining training is some value, godliness is of of some value, godliness is value in every way, as it holds of valuefor in every way, as promise the present lifeit holds promise thecome. and also for the for life to present lifeis and also forand the The saying trustworthy life to come. The saying is deserving of full acceptance. trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. (1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV) (1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV)

7 BIBLE INTAKE

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9 BIBLE INTAKE II

10 Memorizing Scripture for the Purpose of Godliness Who can tell me the first name of our 8 elders? Who was able to drive to church this morning without stopping to ask for directions? Who can sing the lyrics to your favorite song on the radio?

11 SO What s the Deal with Memorization???

12 Memorizing Scripture for the Purpose of Godliness Three main reasons to memorize Scripture: 1. Memorization Strengthens your faith 2. Memorization supplies spiritual guidance 3. Memorization fuels meditation

13 Memorizing Scripture Strengthens Your Faith Language that is clearly calling us to memorize the Word of God For the distinct purpose of growing our faith, building our trust in God Scripture memory is for all people, not just the one s with minds for it Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. Proverbs 22:17-19 ESV

14 Memorizing Scripture Gives Spiritual Guidance The psalmist says that the Words of God are his counselors-they guide him The very same psalmist says that it is the storing up God s Word in his heart (Memorization), that keeps him from sinning Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalm 119:24 ESV I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

15 Memorizing Scripture Fuels Meditation Do you notice the themes of memorization and meditating? The two practices go hand in hand, one fuels the other and they both bring us to the face of God! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:9-16 ESV

16 Memorizing Scripture for the Purpose of Godliness

17 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Worldly Meditation VS. Biblical Meditation Not this: This: Requires you to empty your mind Requires you to fill your mind Requires visualization to create your own reality Requires you to dwell on whatever is true Requires mental passivity Requires mental activity

18 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness This: Requires you to fill your mind: Isaiah 26:3-You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Requires you to dwell on whatever is true: Philippians 4:8-Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Requires mental activity: Colossians 3:2- Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

19 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Biblical Meditation: Deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities in Scripture, or upon life from a Scriptural perspective, for the purpose of understanding, application and prayer. Dr. Donald S. Whitney

20 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on it day and night He is full of life, lush, fertile, healthy All that he does prospers Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 ESV He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3 ESV

21 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7-8 ESV

22 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Joshua is to be strong and courageous following God s law Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7-8 ESV

23 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness Joshua is to be strong and courageous following God s law Joshua is to meditate on it day and night, never letting it depart from his mouth, just an ever constant pondering of God s Word Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7-8 ESV

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25 We Meditate to Compete with the World Average American takes in 3,000-10,000 images and advertisements every single day (Global Information Center, UCSD) The average American consumes information for roughly 12 hours every day The average American consumes roughly 10,500 words per day and 34 gigabytes of information every day (The Apollo space shuttle that landed on the moon had the capability of 3,068 kilobytes!!)

26 Meditation for the Purpose of Godliness First, choose a verse, phrase or word to focus on Repeat the verse, word or phrase with an emphasis on a different part each time (For God so loved the World ) Rewrite the verse, phrase or word in your own words Dwell on how the verse, phrase, or word points an aspect of the gospel Think about how the verse, phrase or word points to the person or work of Christ Pray through the verse, phrase or word Ask the Philippians 4:8 questions of the verse, phrase or word What is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise?

27 Musing for the Purpose of Godliness 4 MINUTE BIBLE STUDY James 1: In light of this morning s discussion, how does this passage relate to our time? 2. What is the danger of practicing Bible intake without memorization, meditation and musing? 3. What do you think the blessing is for those who do this?

28 Where We ve Been Memorizing Scripture for the purpose of godliness Meditating for the purpose of godliness Musing for the purpose of godliness

29 HOMEWORK Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness by practicing either: Scripture memorization or meditating and musing on what you read this week.

30 DOING THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES TOGETHER A Study Based on Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life By Donald S. Whitney PLACING OURSELVES IN THE PATH OF GOD S GRACE