SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES Life patterns that direct us to

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: Life patterns that direct us to God and disciple us more fully into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

NO EXCUSES God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1: 7 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him. . . 2 Peter 1: 3

May God himself, . . . sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thes. 5: 23 -24

Celebration of Discipline By Richard Foster

Disciplines of Abstinence (to counteract tendencies toward sins of commission) Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. 1 Peter 2: 11

Disciplines of Abstinence Fasting Solitude Silence Frugality Chastity Secrecy Sacrifice Simplicity

Disciplines of Engagement (to counteract tendencies toward sins of omission) Arise, take up your bed, and go your way. Mark 2: 11

Disciplines of Engagement Study Worship Celebration Service Prayer Fellowship Submission Confession

A Spiritual Formation Workbook by James Bryan Smith & Richard J. Foster http: //renovare. org/

Holiness Having pure thoughts, words, and actions, and overcoming temptation Charismatic 10 10 Contemplative Spending time with God in prayer and meditation 10 Social Justice 1 10 Helping others less fortunate than I Incarnational Unifying the sacred 10 secular areas of my life while showing forth God’s presence Welcoming the Holy Spirit while nurturing and exercising my spiritual gifts Evangelical 10 Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and reading the Scriptures

Evangelical – The Word-Centered Life Discipline By God’s grace, I will share my faith with others as God leads and will study the Scriptures regularly.

Pray Out Loud Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night … Joshua 1: 8

To Meditate: to murmur, to mutter, to have a deep tone, growl (like a lion over its prey), groan, utter, moan (like a dove), mourn.

Pick up your Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6) The word of God is living and active. . . (Hebrews 4: 12)

Begin to pray/read Bible verses and chapters phrase by phrase, slowly and repetitively.

Why Out Loud? Two reasons…

*So you know when you’ve stopped. *Because it’s hard to think about something else when you’re talking!

SCRIPTURE • SATURATE • VOCABULARY • RHEMA – Living Word • DILIGENCE – A LIFESTYLE OF STUDY

Resources & Challenges Prayers from the Bible www. armyonitsknees. org www. ihop. org www. heroresources. com Start a Bible Study Commit to Scripture memorization Pray the Bible 15 minutes a day Read through the Bible this year