disciplines.w1
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Spiritual Disciplines
Understanding the role of disciplines in the life of grace.
Week 1
There is a great market for
religious experience in our
world; there is little enthusiasm
for the patient acquisition of
virtue, little inclination to sign
up for a long term
apprenticeship in what earlier
generations of Christians called
holiness.
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
The Gospel
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith
– and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –
not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
The Gospel
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do.Ephesians 2:10
The Gospel
• We are sinners• Sin breaks our relationship and fellowship
with God• Christ offers restoration in our relationship
to God• Trust in Christ starts a never ending
relationship with God
Why then disciplines?• Salvation
A broad term referring to God’s activity on behalf of
creation and especially humans in bringing all things to
God’s intended goal. More specifically, salvation entails
God’s deliverance of humans from the power and effects
of sin and the fall through the work of Jesus Christ so that
creation in general and humans in particular can enjoy the
fullness of life intended for what God has made.
Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms
Why then disciplines?
• Sanctification
From the Hebrew and Greek, “to be set apart”
from common use, “ to be made holy.” The nature
of sanctification is two fold in that Christians have
been made holy through Christ and are called to
continue to grow into and strive for holiness by
cooperating with the indwelling Holy Spirit until
they enjoy complete conformity to Christ.
Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms
Why then disciplines?
• A healthy response to grace is a desire to follow Christ
• A disciple follows the example of the teacher
Christ’s Call to be 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.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Christ’s Call to be Disciples
“Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30
Christ’s Call to be Disciples
And whoever does not carry their cross and
follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27
Whoever does not take up their cross and
follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38
What is a Disciple?
The word disciple means “a learner,” but Jesus infused
into that simple word a wealth of profound meaning. As
used by Him and by Paul, it means “a learner or pupil
who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in belief
but also in life-style.” This involves acceptance of the
views and practice of the Teacher. In other words it
means learning with the purpose to obey what is
learned. It involves a deliberate choice, a definite
denial, and a determined obedience.
Shoe Leather Commitment by J. Oswald Sanders
Disciplines of Disciples
• Disciplines are practices which God uses to help shape our life after Christ’s life
• They are not a means of salvation• They are a method of working out our
salvation• Disciplines are the “weeding” in the garden
of our faith
Disciplines
• Relational with God– Bible Focused– Prayer Focused– Heart Focused
• Relational with Others– Gathering Focused– Serving Focused– Submission Focused
Summary
• Disciplines help us to experience the blessing of obedience in our relationship with God
• Disciplines help us to lessen the impact of sin on ourselves and those around us
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