Spiritual Disciplines

1. By: Alfred Toole, Jr. Based on the book CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE by Richard Foster Spiritual Disciplines

2. Part 1: Introduction Spiritual Disciplines

3. “Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.” Let us be among those who believe that the inner transformation of our lives is a goal worthy of our best effort.

4. What is a Spiritual Discipline? • A habit used to train disciples to be God in this world.

5. Key Verses: • Luke 6.40 • Romans 8.29 • 1 John 2.6 • 1 Peter 2.21 • 1 Timothy 4.7-8

6. Spiritual Disciplines What it is What it is not The path does not produce the change Laws or commands Our work External measurement of who is spiritual Way of managing or controlling others • Allows us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us • An encounter with God • God’s work • Internal change showing up on the outside • Way of sowing to the Spirit • Purpose is spiritual growth

8. Our neglect Our work

9. What are some Spiritual Disciplines? Inward: • Meditation • Prayer • Fasting • Study Outward: • Simplicity • Solitude • Submission • Service Corporate: • Confession • Worship • Guidance • Celebration

10. Part 2: Inward Spiritual Disciplines

11. Inward Spiritual Disciplines: Inward: • Meditation • Prayer • Fasting • Study Outward: • Simplicity • Solitude • Submission • Service Corporate: • Confession • Worship • Guidance • Celebration

12. Isaiah 55.8-9 • 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,“ declares the LORD.  9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

13. Meditation • Seeking to think God’s thoughts after him, to delight in His presence, to desire His truth and His way • The ability to hear God’s voice & obey His word • Stresses changed behavior as a result of our encounter with the Living God. • Repentance and obedience are essential • We create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to build an inner sanctuary in the heart

14. Examples in Scripture • Psalm 1.2 • Psalm 63.6 • Psalm 139.17-18 • Philippians 4.8 • John 5.19

15. Meditation • What it is • Direct communication between Lover and one beloved • Willingness to listen and obey • Attempt to fill the mind • Letting go to hold onto God • Enables us to live better in the world • What it is not • Second hand message from God • Attempt to empty the mind • Simply detachment • Takes us out of the world • An exegesis or Bible study

16. Types of Meditation • 1) Scripture focuses on a few verses, key phrases or words (Hebrews 4.12) • 2) Creation directs us toward what we can learn from nature (Psalms 19.1) • 3) Historical events call us to learn from the world around us and Personal events teach us to reflect on our experiences (Matthew 16.5-12)

17. Suggestions for Future Meditations • Set aside time • Choose a place free of distractions • Find a comfortable position • Listen to God by: • Spending a whole week on a single text, parable, event or word. • Use your 5 senses • Be still and center your thoughts on God • Palms down, Palms up

22. Which are you most like spiritually?

23. Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.  4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

24. 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

25. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

26. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

27. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

28. What did you learn from your encounter with God today?

29. Homework: • Meditate on Psalm 1 • Read it 3x times each day • After each reading, pause and ask God what He is trying to tell you

30. To Pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.

31. Prayer • We begin to think God’s thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves, to will the things He wills. • Seeing things from God’s point of view.

32. Key Verses in Scripture • Mark 1.35 • Psalm 63.1 • Acts 6.4 • Luke 11.1-13, 18.1-9 • Luke 22.42 • John 15.7 • Romans 8.26 • 1 Thessalonians 5.17

33. Intercessory Prayer • What it is • Direct contact with God so that His life and power flow through us • Way for us to change the world • Listening • Expectation that change should and would occur • Involves empathy and imagination • What it is not • Indecisive, tentative, half-hoping if it be thy will • Vain repetition • Lacks compassion • Manipulating God and telling Him what to do

34. Types of Prayer • Guidance-asking God what to do next • Adoration-praising God because of who He is • Confession-unloading your sins in light of who He is • Thanksgiving-expressing your gratitude for what He has done • Supplication-interceding for others to be more like Him

35. You Prayer Sin & God’s Wrath

36. If it be thy will…

37. What do these verses suggest? • And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. • John 14:13 • You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. • John 15:16 • In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. • John 16:23

38. God’s will Our will

39. Bring your umbrella

40. Suggestions for Future Prayers • Set aside time • Choose a place free of distractions • Find a comfortable position • Pray to God by: • A. C. T. S. • Flash prayers • Sentence prayers • Start a prayer journal • Imagine Jesus sitting in a chair; talk to Him • Prayer walks / Rides

41. Homework: • Meet 2x with the same person and Pray A.C.T.S. • Take 1 day and pray flash prayers for people you meet: • Ask for a deeper awareness of God’s presence to rise up in every person you meet • Invite Jesus to walk up to the person saying I Love you, I forgive you, I’d love to rule your life

42. Fasting • Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes

43. Examples in Scripture • Moses in Deuteronomy 9.9 • David in 2 Samuel 12.16 • Elijah in 1 Kings 19.8 • Esther in Esther 4.16 • Daniel in Daniel 9.3, 10.3 • Ezra in Ezra 10.6 • Nehemiah in Nehemiah 9.1-3 • Paul in Acts 9.9, 2 Corinthians 11.27 • Jesus in Luke 4.2

44. Key Verses • Matthew 6.16-18, 9.15 • Colossians 2.20-23, 1 Timothy 4.3-5 • Isaiah 58 • Zechariah 7.5 • Psalm 69.10 • Matthew 4.1-4 • John 4.32,34

45. Fasting • What it is • Direct communication between Lover and one beloved • Willingness to listen and obey • Attempt to fill the mind • Letting go to hold onto God • Enables us to live better in the world • What it is not • Emphasis on the outward form devoid of spiritual power • Rigid and practiced with extreme mortification and flagellation • Motivated by vanity or power

46. Types of Fasting • 1) Normal fast- abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water (Luke 4.2) • 2) Absolute-abstaining from food and water (Esther 4.16, Acts 9.9) • 3) Restriction of diet –refuse certain foods (Daniel 10.3)

47. Suggestions for Future Fastings • Start slow (partial fast from lunch to lunch24 hours3 days7days) • Eat a lighter meal of fresh fruits & vegetables • Cut out caffeine 3 days prior to reduce headaches • Drink distilled water or fruit juices • Move slower and rest when needed • Keep a blanket with you • Break the fast with a small meal (fruitmilkyogurtfreshsaladcooked vegetables)

48. Homework: • Fast & journal from lunch to breakfast 1 day • Go without your cellphone and computer for 2 days

49. Study • Careful attention to something that moves the mind toward God

50. Examples in Scripture • Bereans in Acts 17.11 • Apollos in Acts 18.24-28