PATHWAY TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY
1 Timothy 4.15-16 - Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and ayour hearers.
Container - life Jesus Fills Capacity - changed life Me Others 1 Timothy 4.15-16 My retention
Richard Foster Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people. The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths.
George Barna Christianity would be incredibly influential in our culture if Christians consistently lived their faith. The problem is that millions don t live like Christians-and that s partially because they don t know how.
1 Corinthians 3.1-3 Brothers and sisters, in the past I could not talk to you as I talk to spiritual people. I had to talk to you as I would to people without the Spirit babies in Christ. 2 The teaching I gave you was like milk, not solid food, because you were not able to take solid food. And even now you are not ready. 3 You are still not spiritual, because there is jealousy and quarreling among you, and this shows that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of the world.
Colossians 3.17 Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Matthew26.41 Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.
1 Timothy 4.7-8 But do not follow foolish stories that disagree with God s truth, but train yourself to serve God. 8 Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too.
Disciplines of ABSTINENCE Disciplines of ENGAGEMENT Dallas Willard
Richard Foster
DISCIPLINES FOR MATURITY Solitude & Silence Bible Reading Simplicity Scripture Memory
SOLITUDE & SILENCE It's a noisy world Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10)
There is something about silence that enables us to hear with our soul.
SOLITUDE & SILENCE It's a noisy world Silence invites God's response Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10)
SOLITUDE & SILENCE It's a noisy world Silence invites God's response Solitary places allow the mind & heart to refocus
IMPLEMENTING Early morning / late evening Mid day meals Driving 1. Where can I go to be alone with God? 2. When during the day can I do this?
BIBLE READING Lectio Divina Tony Jones, "He came to the Bible naked, so to speak, and let himself be clothed by God s Word. He came neither as a Bible scholar nor a teacher getting ready for a lesson; he didn t have to stop every two verses and answer questions in a study guide. No, he read the Bible as a sacred object, as a living, dynamic revelation of God to him."
BIBLE READING Lectio Divina Reading Meditating Prayer Contemplating
IMPLEMENTING Don't Quit Pay attention to details
SIMPLICITY Inward Reality - Outward Lifestyle Sabbath Observance Learn to say "NO" Free up resources
IMPLEMENTING What can I scale back Make time to BE and not DO Inventory Possessions
SCRIPTURE MEMORY I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
Dallas Willard, Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization
SCRIPTURE MEMORY 1. Conformity to Christ 2 Cor. 3.18, 1 Sam. 3.21 2. Daily Triumph over Sin Ps. 119.9, 11; Rom. 8.13; Eph. 6.17 3. Daily Triumph over Satan Matt. 4.1-11
SCRIPTURE MEMORY 4. Comfort & Counsel Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 5. Communicate the Gospel 6. Communion with God
IMPLEMENTING 1. Same Translation 2. Make Cards 3. Implement
DISCIPLINES FOR MATURITY Solitude & Silence Bible Reading Simplicity Scripture Memory
PATHWAY TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY