SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AND
PRACTICES, #2
If . . . If the purpose of the church is to love and
obey God and to love people, then this mandate also becomes the purpose of intentional disciples of Jesus—the Head of the Church.
If Christian spirituality leads to the realization of the unique self that God envisions each one to become, then each disciple must learn to look at self deeply, while remaining in relation to God and others.
If . . . If Christian spiritual formation refers to
the intentional, communal process of growing in relationship with God and becoming conformed to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, then disciples learn to pay attention to God in order to respond to God while paying attention to oneself and one’s chosen practices and disciplines.
Then . . . Based on biblical images of spiritual
formation, then, disciples pay attention to a variety of responses:The Vine and the branches (Jn 15) – In what
or in whom am I abiding?The Potter and the clay (Is 64:8) – Who or
what is shaping me?Hunger and thirst (Mt 5:6) – What is the
source of my longings?
Then . . . The practices of Christian spirituality
become more responsive in nature rather than stagnating in a sanctifying process characterized by human striving.
“The practices of faith are not ultimately our own practices but rather habitations of the Spirit, in the midst of which we are invited to participate in the practices of God”—Craig Dykstra
Assessment Tools Fruit of the Spirit
Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, self-control
To consider: What may be blocking the healthy growth of the Spirit’s fruit in life and character?
Assessment Tools Gifts of the Spirit
Particular gifts are discovered and strengthened
Other spiritual attributes are also practiced and developed
After a while, the more balanced spirituality reveals an ever-growing responsiveness to God as disciples are being conformed to the image of the Christ
Assessment Tools Spiritual Disciplines
Practices that strengthen apprentices of Jesus as they move toward spiritual balance
Practices that are habit forming in a spiritually healthy way and move from “discipline” toward a more well-rounded spiritual lifestyle
We will begin with the “Inward Disciplines” although it is good to remember that all of the disciplines are holistic in nature.
The Inward Disciplines
Meditation
Meditation Prayer
Meditation Prayer
Fasting
Meditation Prayer
Fasting Study
Meditation What do you think of when you hear or
see the word “meditation”? An attempt to define
A long, ardent gaze at God, God’s work, and God’s word
The giving of one’s undivided attention to God
The ability to hear God’s voice and obey God’s word
Meditation Why should disciples meditate?
God desires fellowship, communion, and relationship
The practice of meditation creates sacred space—construction by Christ of the inner sanctuary which is continually present, no matter the circumstances
Spiritual formation depends on the ability to hear and obey
Meditation “Meditation has no point and no reality
unless it is firmly rooted in life”—Thomas Merton
“True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it”—William Penn
The practice of meditationSpiritual Classics (6-7, 11-12)Spiritual Disciplines (172ff)
Prayer What is prayer? An attempt to define (Calhoun)
Relationship with GodAttention to GodDivine dialogue through intentional
encounter with God
Prayer Why should disciples pray?
Prayer catapults disciples into the frontier of the spiritual life (Foster)
To pray is to descend with the mind into the heart and there stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all seeing, within you (Nouwen)
Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform his disciples (Foster)
Prayer Something to be learned (Foster) Prayer disciplines provide ways to enter
into prayer (Calhoun)Breath – God becomes the “oxygen to the
soul”Centering – the act of quieting the spiritContemplative – the act of waiting with an
awake heartConversational – natural dialogue with God
Prayer The practices of prayer
Spiritual Practices (204-18)Spiritual Classics (31-2, 48ff)
Small Group Exercise – “Breath Prayer”
Prayer Additional prayer disciplines
Fixed-hourInner HealingIntercessoryLabyrinthLiturgicalPrayer PartnersPraying ScripturePrayer of RecollectionPrayer Walking
Fasting What do you think of when you consider
“fasting”? An attempt to define fasting:
Abstaining from food for spiritual purposesThe self-denial of normal necessities in
order to intentionally attend to the concerns of God (Is 58)
A physical awareness of emptiness used as a reminder to turn to Christ
Fasting Why should disciples fast?
To let go of an appetite in order to seek GodTo replace a lesser practice with something
of greater value, at least for a timeTo remember the source of one’s
sustenanceTo achieve a greater sense of balance in
one’s life
Fasting What is fasting not?
Manipulation of GodSpiritual way to lose weightAppearance of pietyMagic
Fasting The practices of fasting
Spiritual Classics (57-61, 75-6 Reflections)Spiritual Practices (218-222)
Study What comes to mind when you hear the
word “study”? An attempt to define follows:
Careful attention so that the mind will move in a certain direction and experience spiritual transformation
The framework with which meditation can successfully function (read, reflect, and respond)
Study Why should disciples study?
To gain perspective into the reality of situations, encounters, books, etc.
To learn and then to apply○ Repetition – ingrains habits of thoughts○ Concentration – centers the mind○ Comprehension – leads to insight and
discernment○ Reflection – defines the significance of what is
studied
Study The study of books (in this order)
Understanding: What is the author saying?Interpreting: What does the author mean?Evaluating: Is the author right or wrong?
How does study differ from spiritual or devotional reading?
Study The study of nonverbal “books”
The observation of reality in things, events, and actions
As with the study of books, begin by paying attention○ Nature○ Relationships○ Oneself
Learn to ask good questions
Study Spiritual Practices
Memorization, 176-8Bible study, 164-7Contemplation, 48-51Examen, 52-5Journaling, 56-8Practicing the presence, 60-2Teachability, 82-4
Small Group Exercise – Lectio Divina
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