Disciplines for Spiritual Formation

Thesis statement:

The purpose of Spiritual Formation is to become more and more like Jesus so that we can reflect him on earth.

The Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines are the practices in the bible which promote spiritual growth.

Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.

The Greek word gumnasia used mean to exercise, train or discipline. So, it is something you do. So, you have to train yourself, like going to a gym and doing exercises.

Characteristics of Biblical spiritual disciplines…

They have to be in the Bible

They can be personal and interpersonal

They are activities, not attitudes Discipline yourself for godliness (). “May be complete, equipped for every good work.” () It is not a mean in itself, the purpose is Christlikeness. Therefore, Discipline without direction is drudgery

Prayer and Bible intake are the most important spiritual disciplines.

It is not a mean in itself, the purpose is ChristlikenessDiscipline without direction is drudgery

These two discipline we find in John 15:7.

God communicates with us: “My words abide in you.”

Our communication with God: “Ask whatever you wish:”

These to disciplines are not negotiable.

His word is like our daily bread…

„Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.“

Jesus was expecting that his disciples would pray regularly…

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

God has ordinated these disciplines as the way how he communicates with us and how we can communicate with him.

The more time we spend with him, the more clearly, we see him. The more clearly, we see him, the more we will be like him.

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The more clearly, we see him, the more we will be like him.

Bibel Intake

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

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1. It is active and alive. It stirs up our inner being

2. It separates the soul (flesh) and spirit. We can see what God’s will is and what not

3. We can recognize what is in our mind

4. We can see the true thoughts of our hearts

principles:

The Book shall not depart from your mouth.

Application:

We should daily Read or listen to God’s Word.

Start your day with his Word. The best time is in the morning.

If possible, set a time for your word study.

If possible, read aloud, so you speak out the word of God.

You shall meditate on it, day and night.

If we meditate on God’s word, we fill our mind with God’s word, we eat his word. ().

Application:

Think carefully about the text you are reading (word by word).

Think carefully about the text you are reading (word by word).Try to memorize Bible-verses.To think about his word Day and night are not easy, because we have so much distraction. But these ideas can help us to make progress in this: Put a note in your phone to remember to think about God and his word.Put Bible verses up in your office, your car, living room, etc.Before you go to sleep, try to memorize one verse and repeat it before you fall asleep. Or think about a passage you have read.

ry to memorize Bible-verses.To think about his word Day and night are not easy, because we have so much distraction. But these ideas can help us to make progress in this: Put a note in your phone to remember to think about God and his word.Put Bible verses up in your office, your car, living room, etc.Before you go to sleep, try to memorize one verse and repeat it before you fall asleep. Or think about a passage you have read.

Try to memorize Bible-verses.

To think about his word Day and night are not easy, because we have so much distraction. But these ideas can help us to make progress in this:

Put a note in your phone to remember to think about God and his word.

Put Bible verses up in your office, your car, living room, etc.

Before you go to sleep, try to memorize one verse and repeat it before you fall asleep or think about a passage you have read.

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