Calvary Church
Spiritual Disciplines
Main Idea: In this teaching we’ll become more aware of how to not only please the Lord, but also how to bring true joy and happiness in the Lord to our lives through Spiritual Disciplines.
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Our Definition of Spiritual Disciplines—Those things that pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Bible-prescribed activities that will aid in the sanctification process, our conformity to Jesus Christ and the maturing process that God the Father has for His sons and daughters.
HABIT—Anything you do more than once gets easier.
Jesus tells us who He is by using seven “I AM” statements to self-identify Himself
1. I am the BREAD of Life, John 6:35
2. I am the LIGHT of the world, John 8:12
3. I am the DOOR, John 10:7
4. I am the GOOD Shepherd, John 10:11
5. I am the Resurrection and the LIFE, John 11:25
6. I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father except through Me, John 14:6
7. I am the TRUE Vine, John 15:1
1. I am the BREAD of Life, John 6:35
2. I am the LIGHT of the world, John 8:12
3. I am the DOOR, John 10:7
4. I am the GOOD Shepherd, John 10:11
5. I am the Resurrection and the LIFE, John 11:25
6. I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father except through Me, John 14:6
7. I am the TRUE Vine, John 15:1
Spiritual Disciplines Worth Pursuing
1. MEDITATE on God’s Word
1. MEDITATE on God’s Word
Some people like to read so many chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather lay my soul soaking in a half dozen verses all day than rinse my hands in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up into your very soul, till it saturates your heart! Set your heart upon God’s Word! Let your whole nature be plunged into it as cloth into a dye! ~ Charles Spurgeon
2. GIVING Thanks
3. PRAYER
4. GIVING
5. SERVING
The more we obey Jesus’ commands to serve others, the more joy it will bring into our lives.
Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. ~ Richard Foster
6. FASTING
7. MEETING with Other Christians
7. MEETING with Other Christians
8. WORSHIP
Talk About It
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the world use the word spiritual or spirituality in ways that are contrary to the Spiritual Disciplines talked about in this teaching?
2. Since the Bibles does not have a “Spiritual Disciplines” list by definition, how do these commands the Lord has given truly connect us to our freedom in Christ? Can you think of a better term for “Spiritual Disciplines”?
3. What is the deeper reason to keep Jesus at the center and forefront of any Spiritual Discipline in our lives? What happens when we do? What happens if we don’t?
Next Step:
• Which one or two of the eight Spiritual Disciplines offered in the teaching are already in somewhat regular practice in your life? What could be a good starting point for those two that will eventually translate into a good habit for your lifestyle?
1. How does the world use the word spiritual or spirituality in ways that are contrary to the Spiritual Disciplines talked about in this teaching?
2. Since the Bibles does not have a “Spiritual Disciplines” list by definition, how do these commands the Lord has given truly connect us to our freedom in Christ? Can you think of a better term for “Spiritual Disciplines”?
3. What is the deeper reason to keep Jesus at the center and forefront of any Spiritual Discipline in our lives? What happens when we do? What happens if we don’t?
Next Step:
• Which one or two of the eight Spiritual Disciplines offered in the teaching are already in somewhat regular practice in your life? What could be a good starting point for those two that will eventually translate into a good habit for your lifestyle?