Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Wednesday Dec 03, 2014
Wednesday Dec 03, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Chapter 13 - Cameron Jungels - Wed, December 3, 2014
Wednesday Nov 19, 2014
Wednesday Nov 19, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Learning…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter 12
Learning Characterizes the Wise
Ø Learning
is following in the foot-steps of Jesus.
Ø Learning
is a part of discipleship
Ø Wisdom
is characterized by humility, teachableness, and a desire to grow in knowledge
and understanding.
Ø Learning
is a lifelong discipline.
Fulfilling the Great Commandment
Ø The
greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind
and strength.
Ø God
is glorified when we use the mind that he made to learn about Him.
Ø Learning
is a discipline that is counter-cultural in our age.
Essential for Increased Godliness
Ø The
Christian life begins with learning—the gospel.
Ø Christians
are a Word-founded people, a “people of the book.”
Ø The
Christian life begins with knowledge, and it must continue in progress toward
godliness with growth in knowledge (applied).
By Discipline, Not by Accident
Ø Not
much learning is gained by accident or in the normal course of life.
Ø Growth
in godliness requires discipline; learning requires purposeful discipline.
Ø We
must be intentional and systematic about learning.
Learning by Various Means
Ø Audio
Books
Ø Video/Audio
Sermons
Ø Internet/TV/RadioØ Bible
Study Software
Ø Classes/Small
Groups
Ø Purposeful
Conversation
Ø Reading
Obstacles to Reading
Ø Our
Entertainment Culture
Ø Technology
and Media
Ø Lack
of Time
Ø Lack
of Ability
Ø Lack
of Interest
Ø Tiredness/FatigueØ Too
Many Choices (Bad Choices)
Wednesday Nov 12, 2014
Wednesday Nov 12, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Journaling…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter
11
Journaling Explained
Ø A
journal is a place in which a person records information important to him or
her personally for preservation or consideration.
Ø A
Christian journal is a place to document the works and ways of God in your
life.
Is Journaling Expected?
Ø Journaling
does not carry the same expectation in Scripture that many of the other
disciplines do.
Ø However,
there is biblical precedent for journaling by faithful followers of God, as
well as by many in church history.
Value of Journaling
Ø Help
in self-understanding and evaluation
Ø Help
in meditation
Ø Help
in expressing thoughts and feelings to the Lord
Ø Help
in remembering the Lord’s works
Ø Help
in creating and preserving a spiritual heritageØ Help
in clarifying and articulating insights
Ø Help
in monitoring goals and priorities
Ø Help
in maintaining the other spiritual disciplines
Ways of Journaling
Ø Whatever
works best for you
Ø Whatever
is most helpful in your pursuit of godliness
Ø Frequency,
method, occasions, type of content, and length can all vary
More ApplicationAs with all the disciplines…
Ø Journaling
can be fruitful at any level of involvement.
Ø Journaling
requires persistence through the dry times.
Ø You
must start journaling before you can experience its value.
Saturday Nov 08, 2014
Saturday Nov 08, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Silence & Solitude…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter
10
Silence & Solitude Explained
Ø Silence:
the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual
goals might be sought.
Ø Solitude:
the voluntary and temporary withdrawal to privacy for spiritual purposes.
3 Principles
Ø Think
of silence and solitude as the counter-balance to the discipline of mutual
fellowship.
Ø Silence
and solitude are often practiced together.
Ø Our
culture conditions us to be comfortable with noise and crowds.
Reasons for Silence & Solitude
Ø To
Follow Jesus’ Example
Ø To
Minimize Distractions in Prayer
Ø To
Express Worship to God
Ø To
Express Faith in God
Ø To
Seek Salvation/Deliverance of the Lord
Ø To
Be Physically and Spiritually Restored
Ø To
Regain a Spiritual Perspective
Ø To
Seek the Will of God
Ø To
Learn Control of the Tongue
Ø Silence
& Solitude help connect us to the other disciplines.
Suggestions for Silence & Solitude
Ø “Minute
Retreats”
Ø A
Goal of Daily Silence & Solitude
Ø Getting
Away
Ø Special
Places
Ø Trading
Off Daily Responsibilities
Wednesday Oct 22, 2014
Wednesday Oct 22, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Stewardship…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 8
The
Discipline of Stewardship
Stewardship
is the management of that which ultimately does not belong to us. It is a
disciplined, wise use of limited resources that have been entrusted to our
care. Our stewardship of time and money reflects the state of our
disciplined life for godliness.
The
Disciplined Use of Time
Ø Use
time wisely “because the days are evil.”
Ø Wise
use of time is the preparation for eternity.
Ø Time
is short.
Ø Time
is passing.
Ø The
remaining time is uncertain.
Ø Time
lost cannot be regained.
Ø You
are accountable to God for your time.
Ø Time
is so easily lost.
Ø We
value time at death.
Ø Time’s
value in eternity.
Questions:
Ø What
aspects of our sinful heart are the greatest enemies of the disciplined use of
time?
Ø What
activities or attractions in our culture are the greatest time stealers?
Ø How do
we move from wasting time to redeeming the time?
The
Disciplined Use of Money
Ø God
owns everything you own.
Ø Giving
is an act of worship.
Ø Reflects
faith in God’s provision
Ø Should
be sacrificial and generous.
Ø Reflects
spiritual trustworthiness.
Ø Love,
not Legalism
Ø Willingly,
thankfully, and cheerfully
Ø An
appropriate response to real needs
Ø Should
be planned and systematic
Ø Results
in bountiful blessings.
Questions:
Ø Why do
we put so much value in money and things?
Ø In our
culture what are the greatest enemies to the disciplined use of money?
Ø How
does our use of time and money reflect the state of our spiritual progress in
godliness?
Final
Applications:
Ø Are
you prepared for the end of time?
Ø Are
you using your time as God would have you to use it?
Ø Are you
willing to accept God’s principles for giving?
Ø Are
you giving like you mean it?
Wednesday Oct 15, 2014
Wednesday Oct 15, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Service…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 7
The
Discipline of Service
Ø “When
Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Ø “It’s
costly service. God asks for your life. He doesn’t want servants who offer Him
the leftovers after their other commitments.” - Whitney
Ø “We’re
drawn to the appeal of service when it holds out the promise of bold
adventure…but it seems that far more commonly Christ’s call is to a death by degrees,
washing feet in obscurity.” – Whitney
Ø “Like
our worship and evangelism, so also our service should flow from within–without
any need of discipline–as a result of the life-transforming presence and work
of the Holy Spirit.” – Whitney
Ø “But…because
of the persistent gravitational tendencies toward selfishness in our hearts, we
must also discipline ourselves to serve.” – Whitney
Service
Is Expected
Ø Motivated
by Obedience
Ø Motivated
by Gratitude
Ø Motivated
by Gladness
Ø Motivated
by Forgiveness, not Guilt
Ø Motivated
by Humility
Ø Motivated
by Love
And
he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but
for him who died for them and was raised again. (2
Cor. 5:15, NIV)
Questions:
Ø What
keeps us from serving God and others?
Ø In
what ways do we tend to serve for the wrong motives?
Ø What
are some practical ways that we can serve inside and outside the church?
Gifted
to Serve
Ø Spiritual
Gifts
ü At
Salvation by the Holy Spirit
ü To
every Christian
ü Sovereignly
bestowed
ü Various
and diverse gifts
ü For
the benefit of the body of Christ
ü For
the glory of God
Each
of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (1
Pet. 4:10, NIV)
“The
most significant gifts in the church’s life in every era are ordinary natural
abilities sanctified.” – J. I. Packer
Ø Serving
is often hard work.
ü Spiritual
giftedness does not mean it will not be work.
ü Service
that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.
ü Service
is rewarding work.
ü Service
for God is enduring and valuable work.
Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain. (1 Co. 15:58, NIV)
God
is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as
you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Heb.
6:10, NIV)
Questions:
Ø Why
do we tend to overlook some spiritual gifts in favor of others?
Ø Why
do we sometimes think that our service is not accomplishing anything?
Final
Applications:Ø Worship
empowers serving; serving expresses worship. Godliness requires a disciplined
balance between the two.
Ø You
are expected and gifted to serve, but will you serve?
Ø The
gospel of Christ creates Christlike servants.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Evangelism…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter 6
The Discipline of Evangelism
Ø
“Disciplined faith is a faith that is likely to
survive and lead to faith in others.” – Alister E. McGrathØ
“Talking to a person about Jesus can be an
intensely rewarding experience for any believer.”
Ø
“And yet nothing causes anxiety more quickly
among a group of Christians than talking about our responsibility to
evangelize.”
What Is Evangelism?
Ø “Presenting
Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people, in order that
they may come to put their trust in God through Him, to receive Him as their
savior, and to serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church.”
Evangelism is ExpectedØ Commanded
by Christ
Ø Not
Just for the original 12 apostles
Ø Not
just for those with a “gift” of evangelism
Ø Expected
of all believers
Ø Disciples
make other disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt.
28:18–20, NIV)
But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light. (1 Pet. 2:9, NIV)
Questions:
Ø Will
every Christian be equally gifted at evangelizing others?
Ø What
are some different methods or strategies for personally sharing the gospel with
others?
Evangelism is Empowered
Ø The
power of Evangelism is the Holy Spirit (not our eloquence).
ü Power
for witnessing (Acts 1:8)
ü Gospel
itself is embedded with power (Rom. 1:16)
ü Illuminating/Regenerating
power (Eph 2:8-9/Titus 3:5)
ü A
holy life adorns the gospel.
Questions:
Ø Why
are we often afraid to evangelize?
Ø Will
the Holy Spirit’s empowerment always manifest itself the same way?
Evangelism is a Discipline
Ø Should
be a natural outflow of a regenerated life, but also requires discipline.
ü Discipline
of Godly Living
ü Discipline
of Study
ü Discipline
of Timeü Discipline
of Relationships
ü Discipline
of Telling
Be wise in the way you
act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone. (Col. 4:5–6, NIV)
Final Applications:Ø Because
evangelism is expected, will you obey the Lord and witness?
Ø Because
evangelism is empowered, will you believe God can use your words in the
salvation of others?
Ø Will
you plan for evangelism?
Evangelism and Godliness
“The more we pursue Christ, the more we want to proclaim
Christ.”
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Worship…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 5
The
Expectation of Worship
“It
is the duty (and privilege) of all people to worship their Creator.” – Whitney,
102
“Come,
let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;” (Psalm
95:6)
WLC
# 1What
is the chief and highest end of man?
Man’s
chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever.
Worship
Is…
Ø Focusing
on & Responding to God
ü “My
Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28)
ü “Holy,
Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev 4:8)
ü “Worthy
are you, our Lord and God…” (while falling before him) (Rev 4:11)
Worship
Is…
“To
worship God means to ascribe the proper worth to God, to magnify his
worthiness, or better, to approach and address God as He is worthy.” – Whitney,
103-4
ü Fully
acknowledging the glory and majesty of God and responding with our total being.
Questions:
Ø In
what ways is God revealed to us, so that we might respond appropriately in
worship to him?
Ø How do
the other spiritual disciplines lead us to worship?
Ø How
is worship itself a discipline?
Worship
Is…
Ø Done
in Spirit and Truth
ü Before
we can worship in spirit & truth we must have within us the One who is the
“Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17).
ü Spirit’s
regenerating and illuminating work leads us to worship the Triune God.
ü To
worship in spirit is to worship from the inside out with sincerity in our acts
of worship.
ü Worship
in truth is worship in accordance and agreement with the truth of Scripture and
in the means Scripture prescribes.
Questions:
Ø How
do we engage our spirits in worship and not just go through the motions?Ø How
do we keep worship anchored to the truth?
Ø How
do worshiping in spirit and truth balance each other?
Worship
Is…
Ø Expected
both Publicly and Privately
ü Public
worship is to corporately and physically gather with God’s people as his
church.
ü Private
worship is individual or family worship apart from the gathered church.
Worship
Is…
Ø A
Discipline to Be Cultivated
ü Worship
is both an end and a means.
ü We
emulate what we think about. To think often about God is to become more and
more like God.
Final
Applications:
Ø Will
you commit yourself to the discipline of daily private worship and regular
corporate worship?
Ø Will
you put actual worship into your acts of worship?
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Lifeby
Donald Whitney
Prayer…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 4 - Albert
Edward Day“We
Protestants are an undisciplined people. Therein lies the reason for much of
the dearth of spiritual insights and serious lack of moral power.”
Prayer
Is ExpectedØ Jesus
Expects Us to Pray
ü Matt
6:5 – “And when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:6 – “But when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:7 – “And when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:9 – “Pray then like this…”
ü Luke
11:9 – “Ask…Seek…Knock…”
ü Luke
18:1 – “they should always pray and not give up.”
Ø God’s
Word Makes it Clear
ü Col
4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer…”
ü 1
Thess 5:17 – “Pray continually...”
ü Heb
4:16 – “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Prayer
Is Learned
Ø By
Praying
Ø By
Meditating on Scripture
Ø By
Praying with Others
Ø By
Reading about Prayer
Prayer
Is Answered
7 "Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives;
the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be
opened. (Matt. 7:7-8, NIV)
Questions:
Ø What
makes prayer challenging?
Ø What
makes consistent, regular prayer challenging?
Ø What
are some ways to stay focused and disciplined in prayer?
Ø What
are some biblical components of prayer?
Ø How
should we prioritize the content of our prayers?
Ø How
does prayer relate to the sovereignty of God?
Final
Applications:
Ø Because
prayer is expected, will you pray?
Ø Since
prayer is learned, will you learn to pray?
Ø Since
prayer is answered, will you persistently pray?
Luke
11:5–13
5 Then Jesus said
to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and
say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;
6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no
food to offer him.' 7 And
suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked,
and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will
not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your
shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and
it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. 10 For
everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks,
the door will be opened. 11
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake
instead? 12 Or if he asks for
an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him!"
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
A study based on "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" Author: Donald WhitneyChapter 2Cameron Jungels
Wednesday Sep 03, 2014
Wednesday Sep 03, 2014
A study based on "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" Author: Donald Whitney Chapter 1Cameron Jungels