The Spiritual Disciplines - Lesson 1

Introduction

When I first came to faith in Christ, I did not know anything about the Christian life. I felt like a new kid at school, but the school was in a different country and all the other students were speaking a different language.

I would go to worship or campus ministry meetings not knowing what to expect. When they would tell me to open my Bible to a specific book I would immediately go to the table of contents. When we prayed I would look around trying to figure out should I stand, sit, kneel, open my eyes, close my eye.

When I would hangout with my new Christian friends it was blatantly obvious that I was young in my faith. I cussed and laughed at inappropriate things. I was selfish and did not seek to serve or care for others.

I knew I was a Christian because I believed in Jesus and greatly loved Him, but when I looked at other Christians and when I looked at how Christians were described in the Bible I realized that I my life didn’t really match up.

That I missing something really important. Godliness.

That my life didn’t look like Jesus. I was justified by my faith in Jesus, but I had not been sanctified to look like Jesus.

So the question I asked myself was, how do I grow in Godliness.

says

train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

The purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines is GODLINESS

I cannot attain godliness through in action. I needed to train myself. And the Spiritual Disciplines are the training.

QUESTION: What do you think of when you hear the word Discipline?

It litteraly means to practice or exercise.

The Greek word is “Gymnazo” where we get our words gymnasium or gymnastics. It means to exercise or practice.

ILLUSTRATION

I remember the first year I played football. We practiced every day after school for an hour or more. Exercising our bodies, running drills, memorizing plays and patterns to get us ready for a game.

That is the same with Spiritual Disciplines. You are exercising to grow in godliness.

QUESTION: Take a minute at your table and brainstorm some things that you would consider Spiritual Disciplines.

Bible reading

meditation

memorizing

praying

fasting

confession

accountability

fellowship

service

giving

stewardship

worship

evangelism

And this is not an exhaustive list. The Bible speaks of other disciplines that help move us toward godliness

Now here is the main idea I want you to take away today

Discipline without Dependency or Direction is Drudgery

Need Direction: When I was first playing football, spending those hours and hours in practice doing up downs and suicides I was miserable. I had the desire to be good at football, but I didn’t see how this was going to make me better. I was a defensive lineman in our first game and I was paired against this 200lbs behemoth of an 8th grader. But when the ball was snapped, I amazingly was able push this guy away to reach the quarterback for a sack. Which was amazing! I saw the direction that my discipline had been taking me.

Need Dependency or Desire: On the other side. If we have a direction without dependency or desire

Dependency in Jesus

John 15:5–7 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

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ILLUSTRATION:

We Need Dependency or Desire in Jesus to be Fruitful in the Spiritual Disciplines.

Without it we will be little legalistic pharisees. is the best example of this.

Luke 18:11–14 ESV

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

If you practice the Spiritual Disciplines like this you will probably become a very moral person. People may even look at you and say that’s a really good guy. But it will mean nothing in light of eternity because you were dependent on yourself instead of Jesus Christ.

Instead remember what Jesus says in

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

True Spiritual Growth only comes out of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Not only does spiritual growth come out of our relationship with Jesus, but the direction of our growth is also toward Jesus.

Direction toward Jesus

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Not only do we need a dependency in Jesus we also need a direction, a goal, which is Jesus. We are to grow in likeness of Jesus, because He is the example of Godliness.

ILLUSTRATION:

Need Direction: When I was first playing football, spending those hours and hours in practice doing up downs and suicides I was miserable. I had the desire to be good at football, but I didn’t see how this was going to make me better. I was a defensive lineman in our first game and I was paired against this 200lbs behemoth of an 8th grader. But when the ball was snapped, I amazingly was able push this guy away to reach the quarterback for a sack. Which was amazing! I saw the direction that my discipline had been taking me.

If we do not have direction to move toward, we will be stagnant in our growth.

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Here is the amazing thing. As we grow closer to Jesus we strengthen or relationship in Jesus. And likewise as we strengthen our relationship in Jesus we desire to look more like Jesus.

Questions:

What is the goal of the Spiritual Disciplines? And why should we we pursue them?

Which spiritual disciplines are you currently or desire to pursue? Why?

Which spiritual discipline are you least interested in? Why?

Why is Discipline without Dependency in Jesus Drudgery?

Why is Discipline without Direction toward Jesus Drudgery?

Spend the last few minutes in prayer. Ask someone else at the table how you can pray for them and pray that God would grow them in godliness and for the preaching of God’s Word.