SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AND

PRACTICES, #2

If . . . If the purpose of the church is to love and

obey God and to love people, then this mandate also becomes the purpose of intentional disciples of Jesus—the Head of the Church.

If Christian spirituality leads to the realization of the unique self that God envisions each one to become, then each disciple must learn to look at self deeply, while remaining in relation to God and others.

If . . .

If Christian spiritual formation refers to the intentional, communal process of growing in relationship with God and becoming conformed to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, then disciples learn to pay attention to God in order to respond to God while paying attention to oneself and one’s chosen practices and disciplines.

Then . . .

Based on biblical images of spiritual formation, then, disciples pay attention to a variety of responses:The Vine and the branches (Jn 15) – In what

or in whom am I abiding?The Potter and the clay (Is 64:8) – Who or

what is shaping me?Hunger and thirst (Mt 5:6) – What is the

source of my longings?

Then . . .

The practices of Christian spirituality become more responsive in nature rather than stagnating in a sanctifying process characterized by human striving.

“The practices of faith are not ultimately our own practices but rather habitations of the Spirit, in the midst of which we are invited to participate in the practices of God”—Craig Dykstra

Assessment Tools

Fruit of the SpiritLove, joy, peace, patience, goodness,

meekness, faithfulness, self-controlTo consider: What may be blocking the

healthy growth of the Spirit’s fruit in life and character?

Assessment Tools

Gifts of the SpiritParticular gifts are discovered and

strengthenedOther spiritual attributes are also practiced

and developedAfter a while, the more balanced spirituality

reveals an ever-growing responsiveness to God as disciples are being conformed to the image of the Christ

Assessment Tools

Spiritual DisciplinesPractices that strengthen apprentices of

Jesus as they move toward spiritual balancePractices that are habit forming in a

spiritually healthy way and move from “discipline” toward a more well-rounded spiritual lifestyle

We will begin with the “Inward Disciplines” although it is good to remember that all of the disciplines are holistic in nature.

The Inward Disciplines

Meditation

Meditation Prayer

Meditation Prayer

Fasting

Meditation Prayer

Fasting Study

Meditation

What do you think of when you hear or see the word “meditation”?

An attempt to defineA long, ardent gaze at God, God’s work, and

God’s wordThe giving of one’s undivided attention to

GodThe ability to hear God’s voice and obey

God’s word

Meditation

Why should disciples meditate?God desires fellowship, communion, and

relationshipThe practice of meditation creates sacred

space—construction by Christ of the inner sanctuary which is continually present, no matter the circumstances

Spiritual formation depends on the ability to hear and obey

Meditation

“Meditation has no point and no reality unless it is firmly rooted in life”—Thomas Merton

“True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it”—William Penn

The practice of meditationSpiritual Classics (6-7, 11-12)Spiritual Disciplines (172ff)

Prayer

What is prayer? An attempt to define (Calhoun)

Relationship with GodAttention to GodDivine dialogue through intentional

encounter with God

Prayer

Why should disciples pray?Prayer catapults disciples into the frontier of

the spiritual life (Foster)To pray is to descend with the mind into the

heart and there stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all seeing, within you (Nouwen)

Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform his disciples (Foster)

Prayer

Something to be learned (Foster) Prayer disciplines provide ways to enter

into prayer (Calhoun)Breath – God becomes the “oxygen to the

soul”Centering – the act of quieting the spiritContemplative – the act of waiting with an

awake heartConversational – natural dialogue with God

Prayer

The practices of prayerSpiritual Practices (204-18)Spiritual Classics (31-2, 48ff)

Small Group Exercise – “Breath Prayer”

Prayer

Additional prayer disciplinesFixed-hourInner HealingIntercessoryLabyrinthLiturgicalPrayer PartnersPraying ScripturePrayer of RecollectionPrayer Walking

Fasting

What do you think of when you consider “fasting”?

An attempt to define fasting:Abstaining from food for spiritual purposesThe self-denial of normal necessities in

order to intentionally attend to the concerns of God (Is 58)

A physical awareness of emptiness used as a reminder to turn to Christ

Fasting

Why should disciples fast?To let go of an appetite in order to seek GodTo replace a lesser practice with something

of greater value, at least for a timeTo remember the source of one’s

sustenanceTo achieve a greater sense of balance in

one’s life

Fasting

What is fasting not?Manipulation of GodSpiritual way to lose weightAppearance of pietyMagic

Fasting

The practices of fastingSpiritual Classics (57-61, 75-6 Reflections)Spiritual Practices (218-222)

Study

What comes to mind when you hear the word “study”?

An attempt to define follows:Careful attention so that the mind will move

in a certain direction and experience spiritual transformation

The framework with which meditation can successfully function (read, reflect, and respond)

Study

Why should disciples study?To gain perspective into the reality of

situations, encounters, books, etc.To learn and then to apply

○ Repetition – ingrains habits of thoughts○ Concentration – centers the mind○ Comprehension – leads to insight and

discernment○ Reflection – defines the significance of what is

studied

Study

The study of books (in this order)Understanding: What is the author saying?Interpreting: What does the author mean?Evaluating: Is the author right or wrong?

How does study differ from spiritual or devotional reading?

Study

The study of nonverbal “books”The observation of reality in things, events,

and actionsAs with the study of books, begin by paying

attention○ Nature○ Relationships○ Oneself

Learn to ask good questions

Study

Spiritual PracticesMemorization, 176-8Bible study, 164-7Contemplation, 48-51Examen, 52-5Journaling, 56-8Practicing the presence, 60-2Teachability, 82-4

Small Group Exercise – Lectio Divina