Spiritual Disciplines and Practices

CS 510

If spirituality is a journey, decide on a path . . .

If Christian spirituality is the chosen path, life will be characterized by . . .

The One on whom the mind is setThe One on whom the eyes are focusedThe Author and Perfecter of the faithBecoming a disciple of Jesus

In order to become a disciple of Jesus, one must consider the

realities of spirituality

Spirituality

Spiritual Theology

Mysticism

Spiritual Formation

Christian spirituality defined Spirituality – human interaction with

God through Jesus Christ› Study or “Read” – at the level of academic

discipline› Formulation of a Teaching or “Reflect” – a

way of understanding the dynamics of how relationship with God works

› Live it out or “Respond” – The practices lived out in relationship with God

The “subsets” as defined by Evan Howard

Spiritual Formation – the means by which growth is fostered in the Christian life

Mysticism – the exploration and conscious experience of the divine presence

Spiritual Theology – the science of the development of Christian maturity

Is there a connection between spirituality

and discipleship?

Christian Spirituality

Discipleship

Dallas Willard said that a follower of the Christ must be wholly devoted in his or her innermost being to

discipleship

What does discipleship involve?

Wholeness

spirit

Spirit is the “center”–the heart or will

Sign of health: unbodily personal reality and power

mind

spirit

Feelings and thoughts come from the mind

Sign of health: growing ability to manage self

mind

body

spirit

The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit—individually and corporately

Sign of health: proper maintenance of the functional, God-given

“machine”

mind

body

social

spirit

Individuals participate in a variety of relationships and systems

Sign of health: individuals involved as healthy participants

in community

mind

body

social

soul

spirit

Transformation of the whole person, active with Christ in the process of spiritual formation

Signs of health: movement away from idolatry (using God for my purposes), toward spirituality (submitting self to God for God’s

purposes).

Perfect

Whole

Be ye perfect, therefore, as your Father in heaven is perfect . . .

What is a disciple?

A disciple can be defined as

Student

Learner Apprentice

What are the concerns of discipleship?

Discipleship ConcernsObedience to

ChristMatter of the

“spirit”Living life

from God’s reality

Living life supernaturall

yConformity

with the SpiritHolistic action

with Christ

Transformation Four “Issues”

What are the “issues”? Grace and works – grace is not

opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.

Perfectionism – disciples may fail but they move away from planning to fail.

Good news - a gospel that deals with sin and a ticket to heaven or a gospel that leads to new and abundant life now.

No quick fix - inescapability of serious process over time.

Something to be taken up

Something to be thrown down

How would you define the

word “discipline”?

Name disciplines that may not be found in the list of classic spiritual disciplines.

Name the 12 classic spiritual disciplines.

Where does the process of discipleship

begin?With me…