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