celebration of discipline the path to spiritual growth by richard foster

Celebration of DisciplineThe Path to Spiritual Growthby Richard Foster

The Discipline of Study

The purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person.

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The Discipline of Study… if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things… (Phil.4:8)

The discipline of study is the primary vehicle to bring us to “think about these things.”

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Good feelings will not free us. Ecstatic experiences will not free us. Getting “high on Jesus” will not free us. Without a knowledge of the truth we will not be free.

The Discipline of Study

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates… Deuteronomy 11:16-21. New International Version, ©2010

The Discipline of Study

What we study determines the kind of habits that are formed, which is why Paul urges us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious.

• Meditation is devotional.

• Meditation will relish a word.

• Study is analytical.

• Study explains a word.

The Discipline of Study

Study provides a framework in which meditation functions.

Four Steps in Study1. Repetition2. Concentration3. Comprehension4. Reflection

The Discipline of Study

Repetition channels the mind in a specific direction. Habits of thought

can be formed by repetition alone, thus changing behavior.

2. Concentration

It focuses attention on what is being studied.

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3. ComprehensionIt is the knowledge of the truth that sets us free. Comprehension focuses on the knowledge of the truth. This experience of understanding catapults us onto a new level of growth and freedom.

Reflection defines the significance of what we are studying. Reflection brings us to see things from

God’s perspective.

4. Reflection

Four Steps in Study1. Repetition2. Concentration3. Comprehension4. Reflection

The Study of Books

1.Intrinsic rules of study

- understanding

- interpreting

- evaluating

The Study of Books

2.Extrinsic rules of study

- experience

- other books

- live discussion

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The primary book…All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness… 2 Timothy 3:16 New International Versioin © 2010

We come to the Scripture to be changed, not to amass information.

When we study the Bible we are seeking to be controlled by the intent of the author. We are determined to hear what he is saying. We want life-transforming truth, not

just good feelings.

The Discipline of Study

The most difficult problem is not finding time but convincing myself that this is important enough to set aside the time.

The Discipline of Study

The Discipline of Study

How?

Use the same literary analysis you use in a literature class. Keep notes

on what you discover.

The Discipline of Study

Take a smaller book like Ephesians or 1 John and read it through every day for a month.

The Discipline of Study

Study a classic book about the Christian life. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer

Disappointment with God by Yancey

Journal of John Wesley

The Discipline of Study

Study a classic piece of literature.Lord of the Rings by Tolkein

Les Miserables by Hugo

Tale of Two Cities by Dickens

Tolstoy

Dostoevski

The Discipline of Study

The key is not reading many books, but experiencing what we do read.

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The Discipline of StudyThe Study of the Nonverbal

The first step in the study of nature is reverent observation. The second

step is to make friends with nature. If you love everything, you will

perceive the divine mystery in things.

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The Discipline of StudyThe Study of Relationships-Watch how much of our speech is aimed at justifying our actions.

- Notice the things that control people.

- We should learn the things that control us.

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The Discipline of Study

The Study of Relationships-Know thyself-Study institutions and cultures

- Learn to ask questions

Study produces joy. Like any novice, we will find it hard work in the beginning. But the greater our proficiency, the greater our joy. Study is well worth our most

serious effort.

The Discipline of Study