Connecting with God Spiritual Pathways Lesson 2

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1 Connecting with God Spiritual Pathways Lesson 2 Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. The Relational Pathway: (4 th 13.57) People who connect best with God on the relational pathway feel a kind of spiritual dullness when they try to talk with God alone. When they pray with a group of people, they can almost feel the presence of God physically. When they study the Bible with other fired-up Christ followers, they may come away enriched and impassioned. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pg 218) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Wale, Michael, Donovan C, Dan, Diamonde, and Mark W? The Apostle Peter: came to Jesus with others, part of Jesus inner circle, the defining relationships of his life all took place in a relational context. Spiritual growth comes most naturally when you re involved in significant relationships. Small groups and other community life experiences are key. Being alone can drive you crazy! In key times of growth God will often speak to you through people. You need a relationally rich life Use your spiritual gifts to serve others. Pray with others both disciples and seekers.. Help get the people you know involved with furthering God s kingdom. Guard against superficiality have a few deep relationships. You can grow dependent on others and become a spiritual chameleon. Develop a capacity for silence and solitude. Study the scriptures for yourself so you are grounded in God s Word rather than in other s opinions. Keep some of your experiences with God secret so you don t get addidcted to what other people think. 1

2 The Intellectual Pathway: (7 th 11.62%) People who thrive on the Intellectual Pathway are those whose minds must be fully engaged before they can make spiritual progress. For people wired up this way, once their minds are fully convinced, their hearts and will quickly follow and their convictions are rock solid Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pgs ) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Cindy, Tracy, Robert, Dan, and myself? The Apostle Paul: one of the great Jewish scholars, went to the synagogues to pour over the Scriptures, the road to his heart led through his head. You draw closer to God as you re able to learn more about him. The study of scripture and theology come naturally. You have little patience for emotional expressions to faith. In You are a thinker. You like to read great books that challenge you. You are constantly exposing yourself to teaching and learn from it. Pray with others both disciples and seekers. You often befriend people who are like-minded with whom you can learn. Guard against becoming all head and no heart. Don t confuse being smart with being spiritually mature. Devote yourself to congregational worship and to private adoration and prayer. Your learning needs to lead to worship otherwise it could get dangerous. The Serving Pathway: (3 rd 16.97%) 2

3 Some folks can t seem to catch their spiritual stride and feel consistently close to God unless they re quietly and consistently laboring in the kingdom vineyards. When it comes to thinkers and doers, these people are the doers. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pg 221) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Melissa, Carrington, Troy, Verae, Lindsay, Jean Ann, and Erika? Dorcas (Tabitha): was known for a life of good deeds. God s presence seems most tangible when you re involved with helping others.. You are often uncomfortable in a setting where you don t have a role to do something. You constantly look for acts of service you can engage in. It is important that you are plugged into the congregation so you know when and where there are opportunities to serve. Take notice of God s presence in the people you are lucky enough to serve. Be careful not to resent other people who don t serve as much as you do. Remember that God loves you, not because you are so faithful in serving him, but because you are his child. Don t confuse serving with earning God s love. Balance your service with small group and congregational opportunities. Learn how to receive love even when you feel like you are not being productive. Practice expressing love through words as well as actions. The Contemplative Pathway: (6 th 11.83%) Throughout church history there have always been some Christians who feel they re marching to a different drummer. These sincere Christians are carefully guarding their schedules, avoiding at all costs the patterns of busyness they see around them. For reasons they may not fully understand, these people are easily drained by relationships and activities. But they can spend almost unlimited time in solitude. Give them a Bible, a good piece of literature, a poem and a journal, and they ll disappear for days. They need to protect their thought life. Eventually their reflections will lead to something wonderful that will bless the whole church. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pgs ) 3

4 Did you know you were on this Pathway: Angel H, Melissa, Rachel T, and Verae? Mary (Martha s sister): sat at Jesus feet while Martha was busy getting dinner ready. You love uninterrupted time alone. Reflection comes naturally to you. You have a large capacity for prayer. If you get busy or spend a lot of time with people, you feel drained and yearn for times of solitude. You need regular, protected, intense times of solitude and stillness. Faithfully follow the intuitions and leadings that come in your times alone with God. Act on what you hear from God in silence. You have a tendency to avoid the demands of the real world because it doesn t live up to your ideals. Resist the the temptation to consider your times of private prayer and solitude as less important than the more public acts of ministry performed by others. Choose a regular place of active service. Stay relationally connected, even when those relationships become difficult. Connect with those who have an activist pathway. The Activist Pathway: (1 st 18.38%) Because of their wiring they need actually they revel in a highly challenging environment that pushes them to the absolute edge of their potential. It s when they are right on the edge that they feel closest to God. It seems as though these activists are consistently biting off more work than they can chew! (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pgs ) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Corden, Larry, Ken S, Adrienne, Jason T, Donovan C, Lisa R, Katina, Lisa H, Venise, Laverne, Marie, Erika, and Jason R.? Nehemiah: heard about the conditions in Jerusalem, prayed, developed a plan, took a risk. You have a single-minded zeal and a very strong sense of vision. 4

5 You have a passion to build the church and to work for justice Challenges don t discourage you! You do everything you can to bring out the potential God has placed in other people. You like to immerse yourself in tasks that call out the best you have to offer. It is important for you to find a group of people to invest in and work with to accomplish big goals. You may run over people or use them because you get so focused on achieving a goal. Guard against going to long without pausing to reflect on what you are doing. Spend time in solitude and silence. Cultivate a reflective discipline like journaling. Develop close spiritual friendships with a couple of people. The Worship Pathway: (2 nd 17.55%) I think David felt closest to God and most fully alive when he was worshiping. Many church leaders, like David, have this worship pathway. If they are wise they will design a spiritual formation plan that allows them to delve often into the spirit of worship. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pgs ) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Steve, Larry, Eddie, Amanda, Kenisha, Elizabeth, Melissa, Diamonde, Terry C, John, David, and Cindy G? King David: he danced before the Lord with all his heart, expressed his love for God through music. You have a deep love of congregational praise and a natural inclination toward celebration. In difficult periods of life, worship is one of the most healing activities you engage in. In worship, your heart opens up, and you come alive and enthusiastically participate. You experience great worship on a regular basis. You find private sanctuaries to worship through music. It may be helpful for you to find out about other worship traditions and incorporate them into your worship. 5

6 Be careful not judge those who are not as expressive in their worship. Guard against an experienced-based spirituality that always has you looking for the next worship high. Engage in the discipline of study. Serve God in concrete ways as an extension of your worship. Remain committed to your church even when worship isn t all you would like it to be. Creation Pathway: (5th 12.41%) They come alive from head to toe whenever they are surrounded by natural splendor, be it mountains, deserts, plains, woods, oceans, or beaches. There they find spiritual comfort and refreshment because they are reminded of the promise of God to restore our dry dusty souls. (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2009, pgs ) Did you know you were on this Pathway: Colette, Ed, Jared, Rachel T, Laverne, Jessica, Melissa, and Cindy C? Jesus: he was especially drawn to nature, often brought others with him to the lake or mountains to be with the Father. You respond deeply to God through your experience in nature. Being outdoors replenishes you, it moves your heart, stirs your soul, and strengthens your faith. You tend to be creative. You love to spend time outdoors It is easy for you to find special places outside to spend time with God. You may be tempted to use beauty or nature as an escape. You will find that people are sometimes disappointing to you. Guard against the temptation to sometimes avoid church because you think, I can worship God in nature on my own. Stay involved with your congregation, you need people. Be willing to help out in less than beautiful settings. Take scripture with you into nature, and meditate on God s Word as you enjoy his creation. 6

Psalm 42:1-2 Deepening our intimacy with God

One off Sermon 1 Psalm 42:1-2 Deepening our intimacy with God 12 th Oct 2017 Paul Collins. Psalm 42:1-2 (NLV) New Life Version 42 As the deer desires rivers of water, so my soul desires You, O God. 2 My