UPI Historical Spiritual Disciplines Study 3

LOOKING BACK (Care and Accountability)

How was your week (highlights, difficulties, challenges, etc.)?

In what way did you influence someone this week in their relationship with the King?

Engaging in the Historical Disciplines

Week 3

Facet Overview

Discipline should work in concert with dependence, since grace is not opposed to effort but earning. The multiple benefits of the time-tested disciplines of the faith contribute to spiritual formation in the same way that training prepares us for skillful endeavor.

Sub-Themes

A balanced view of both dependence and discipline.

An appreciation for the multiple benefits of the spiritual disciplines.

Personal Reading Time

Find a quiet place each day to slowly read the passage(s) out loud to yourself. We will read and discuss week 1 together.

Sit in the silence and listen to what is God saying to you through the passage(s)?

This Week’s Readings:

Colossians 3:1–11 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

In light of this weeks sub-themes, what is the author saying? He starts with an if-then relation, if you truly are a Christian, then seek and set your mind on godly things. He then goes into a list of things, first seemingly sexual and then pride oriented, that are of the earthly mind and our, should be desire to eradicate them from our lives. He reminds us that at most that is who we once were but are no longer.

What word or phrase gets your attention in this reading? It might be the first word, or phrase, “if then”. This calls for true self-examination, heart examination. What really am I? Am I truly a Christian? Evidences in my life should indicate which is true of me. Story of a man on trial, accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence and what would that evidence be? This whole section is on where our affections lie, where our loyalties lie. The next word or phrase would be “put to death” or mortify. Such harsh terminology if it not for the fact that these things are trying to destroy us, kill us. You don’t coddle an enemy who’s trying to kill you, you kill him. The last is “renewed in knowledge” the word for knowledge is epignosis in Greek and has an experiential component to it. As we seek things above, set our minds on things above and as we put to death the things of this world, we will experience a renewing of our original created mind, innocent and pure, righteous.

What in your life needs to hear this word or phrase right now? This is another reminder of the “you get out of it what you put into it” principal. We have all of God, all of the Holy Spirit, all of Jesus we will ever have on this earth, but how much of us does He have? How much are we pushing in to knowing and experiencing more?

What is God inviting you to do in response to this word or phrase? God is inviting me into a process of growth, disciplines so that my head and my heart are one.

Be prepared to share how the passage(s) impacted you with the group (make a note).

Philippians 2:1–8 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

In light of this weeks sub-themes, what is the author saying? Humility is the true mark of a Christian, not false humility, but godly humility. Why, because we are sinful, selfish, prideful, arrogant, ambitious, etc. and we need the Holy Spirit to do His work in our hearts to be anything like Jesus.

What word or phrase gets your attention in this reading? Same mind, full accord, one mind, humility, others more significant, interests of others, servant, humbled, obedient. The model of Jesus is not one easily followed, but He clearly came for us, to do what needed to be done for us and not for Himself, I’m so thankful we have Gethsemane.

What in your life needs to hear this word or phrase right now? It seems we all need to examine our hearts in light of this passage, especially those entrusted with so much responsibility.

What is God inviting you to do in response to this word or phrase? Examine my heart, check my motives, question if this is even close to true of me.

Be prepared to share how the passage(s) impacted you with the group (make a note).

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

In light of this weeks sub-themes, what is the author saying? The reminder that we are engaged in a spiritual battle at all times and we need to fight daily for what is right and true. The armor focus is on the truths the Bible proclaims and assures us, truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Word of God, and the Spirit. All areas attacked by the enemy to cause doubt of get us to sin. This is a daily commitment by us.

What word or phrase gets your attention in this reading? Schemes of the devil and rulers authorities cosmic powers of this present darkness, spiritual forces. We are ignorant or some what oblivious, we live numb and “comfortable, we are unaware that we are in a war for our souls and the souls of others.

What in your life needs to hear this word or phrase right now? The part of me that spurs on urgency and diligence. Diligent to do what is needed in my life and urgency to do what is needed in the lives of others.

What is God inviting you to do in response to this word or phrase? Engage, partake, do

Be prepared to share how the passage(s) impacted you with the group (make a note).

Weekly Group Time

LOOKING UP (Scripture and Discussion)

What did you hear God saying to you through the reading this week?

What word, phrase or passage got your attention this week? And why?

How has it changed the way you live or the way that you see the world?

LOOKING FORWARD (Prayer and Commissioning)

Personal: Based on our time today, how can we pray for you and for one another?

Mission: How can you influence someone this week in their relationship with the King?

Unlimited Potential, Inc. | 2020