Train Yourself to be GodlyAn 8-week Spiritual Fitness Class

Strength Endurance Flexibility

Training Tip

Core Stability

The stronger my relationship with God (core), the greater will be my ability to benefit those around me (distal mobility).

increases Distal Mobility.

Fasting: To Go Without Food

Works the core because it strips us of what we normally depend on.

“More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.”

Training Tip

Form is important.

Using a lot of weight while doing an exercise incorrectly,

can injure the person exercising.

Correct form: a sincere heart.

Why do people fast?

“Sackcloth and ashes.”Without pretention. As is.

• Get closer to God.• Freedom from besetting sin.• Insight.• Guidance.• Affect outcome of hopeless

situation.

Misuses of FastingIslam—Ramazan12-hour+ fast; over-eating at night.

Misuses of FastingJudaism—both Old and New Testament times. “Why doesn’t God answer?! We are fasting!”

• Isaiah 58:5-7• Jeremiah 14:12• Matthew 6:16

Misuses of FastingChristianity— “The traditional carnival celebrations which precede Lent in many cultures have become associated with the season of fasting if only because they are a last opportunity for excess before Lent begins.”

Misuses of Fasting

Secularism—used for body image under guise of “for health reasons.”

Misuses of Fasting• Islam—12-hour+ fast; over-eating at night.

• Judaism—both Old and New Testament times. “Why doesn’t God answer?! We are fasting!”

• Christianity—giving up chocolate and coffee for Lent; indulging at other times or on weekends.

• Secularism—used for body image under guise of “for health reasons.”

Hypocrisy

Danger—

Fasting is one of the easiest disciplines for believers to practice in a meritorious way.

Example: “God, you see how serious I am because I am fasting. I know you will answer me because I REALLY mean it!” We don’t come to prayer or service in this way: “God I know you will answer because I prayed 30 extra minutes today!” or “God, I know you will answer because I did an extra volunteer day at the church!”

The Heart of Fasting

Fasting is the body’s natural response to grief.

Fasting is intentionally grieving what God grieves and being willing

to make the necessary adjustments.

It is humbling oneself before God.

adapted from Scot McKnight

Event happens that grieves me.

I fast in response.

God answers and works in the situation.

A

B

C

The Heart of Fasting

The question in fasting is not “What power can I release through this fasting in order to change the

situation,” but rather, “What about this situation is breaking my heart?”

God responds to the humble and broken-hearted.

Who’s Who of Fasting

Long, supernatural fasts (40 days):• Moses• Elijah• Jesus

Who’s Who of FastingWho What did they grieve?Israelites Gross immorality of God’s people.David Shame to God’s name; death of Saul.Ninevites Condition of self and society.Daniel Bringing about Jeremiah’s prophecy. (sin)Ezra Condition of Jerusalem; needed safety.Esther Jews were going to be annihilated. Nehemiah Walls of Jerusalem broken down.Believers Worshipping. (grieving??)

Common theme: “God, we are undone!”

Types of Fasting

• Complete fast: abstaining from all food for a specified period of time. • 24-hr. fast is skipping 2 meals.• 36-hr. fast is skipping 3 meals.• 48-hr. fast is skipping 5 meals.

• Partial fast: abstaining from certain food items, or from food at certain times.

Practical Guidelines for 24-hr. Fast

• Drink lots of water.

• Timing—arrange majority of fasting so main responsibilities can be met directly after your last meal.

Practical Guidelines for 24-hr. Fast

• Stomach growling—trained response of the body. Usually stops after 20 minutes.

• Tiredness—limit activity if possible.

• Bad breath– Sam Fuller: Well, like it or not, that plane is not taking off unless we are both on it. Gracie Hart: You might consider a tic-tac.

Practical Guidelines for 24-hr. Fast• Distracting thoughts—expect lots of

“observations.”

• Mixed motives—can be discouraging. Fasting reveals motives: so as they come to mind, simply confess that they are there, receive God’s mercy, and move back to purpose for which you are fasting.

Practical Guidelines for 24-hr. Fast

• Solidarity—fasting at same time as others can be helpful and encouraging.

• Multi-tasking—most often done with prayer and solitude. It is beneficial even by itself. Journal if you can.

Assessment: Do you practice Fasting?

Are you fasting as a meritorious act?

What are you grieving?

Are you willing to make adjustments revealed during fasting?