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Celebration of Discipline. Introduction (Luke). Context of presentation In general, topics chosen by guys Not simply a book report. Introduction (Luke).
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Introduction (Luke) • Context of presentation • In general, topics chosen by guys • Not simply a book report
Introduction (Luke) • The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change. We do not need to observe Western culture very closely to realize that it is captivated by the religion of the mediator.
Introduction (Luke) • Dim reflection • Parent • God’s Heart
Introduction (Duggie) • Superficiality is the curse of our age. • Our will can only touch the surface • The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us. • We can do something • Get beyond superficial
Meditation (Joel) • Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word. • Non Christian meditation • Empty to be filled
Meditation (Sam) • God spoke to them not because they had special abilities, but because they were willing to listen. • Nintendo DS
Prayer (Brady) • To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. • King Saul vs King David
Prayer (Sam) • Perhaps the most astonishing characteristic of Jesus’ praying is that when he prayed for others he never concluded by saying "If it be thy will”. • Many examples throughout Bible • Only example is before cross when praying for himself • Apply to our prayers
Prayer (Jaydaan) • Real prayer is life creating and life changing • The bible prayers prayed as if their prayers could and would make an objective difference • Cousin story
Prayer (Patrick) • Søren Kierkegaard once observed: "A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was talking. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is listening.” • More than routine • Make room for listening
Fasting (Gracyn) • While the human body can survive only a short time without air or water, it can go for many days before starvation begins. • Difficult to do • Fun
Fasting (Chase) • "I understand that fasting is injurious to your health." "It will sap your strength so you can’t work." "Won’t it destroy healthy body tissue?" All of this, of course, is utter nonsense • Personal story • Not too difficult
Study (Brady) • 4 steps • Repetition • Concentration • Comprehension • Reflection • Learner’s license • Bible as guide for life
Simplicity (Joel) • The wise sage understood that "He who trusts in his riches will wither" (Prov. 11:28). • Runaway story. • Without God anyone could wither
Solitude (Brady) • Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment. • Bible examples • Elijah • Samuel • Jesus
Submission (Judah) • Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want. • Subway cookies • Santa’s Anonymous • Submitted to group
Service (Gracyn) • As the cross is the sign of submission, so the towel is the sign of service. • Dishes for Mom • Jesus washes disciples feet
Service (Duggie) • Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. • Rainbow • Feet washing
Confession (Joel) • We do not have to make God willing to forgive. In fact, it is God who is working to make us willing to seek his forgiveness. • Fight with sister
Worship (Patrick) • To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. • Worship in Brazil • Portuguese
Worship (Patrick) • Many times I do not feel like worshiping and I have to kneel down and say, "Lord, I don’t feel like worshiping, but I desire to give you this time. It belongs to you. I will waste this time for you. • Everyday life
Worship (Chase) • One log by itself cannot burn for very long, but when many logs are put together, even if they are poor logs, they can make quite a fire. • Jesus worked with disciples • Different worship teams at Avenue.
Guidance (Sam) • This presentation • Individually read book • Assigned presentation topics as group • Stuck with this topic
Celebration (Jaydaan) • In the spiritual life only one thing will produce genuine joy, and that is obedience. • Practicing drums
Celebration (Judah) • We may be able to begin tennis instruction or piano lessons by dint of will, but we will not keep at them for long without joy. • Violin vs Hockey • Introduction: Our will can only touch the surface
Finis (Luke) • We have come to the end of this study, but only to the beginning of our journey. We have seen how meditation heightens our spiritual sensitivity which, in turn, leads us into prayer. Very soon we discover that prayer involves fasting as an accompanying means. Informed by these three Disciplines, we can effectively move into study which gives us discernment about ourselves and the world in which we live.
Finis (Luke) • Through simplicity we live with others in integrity. Solitude allows us to be genuinely present to people when we are with them. Through submission we live with others without manipulation, and through service we are a blessing to them.
Finis (Luke) • Confession frees us from ourselves and releases us to worship. Worship opens the door to guidance. All the Disciplines freely exercised bring forth the doxology of celebration.
Finis (Luke) • The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life beckon us to the Himalayas of the Spirit. Now we stand at timber line awed by the snowy peaks before us. We step out in confidence with our Guide who has blazed the trail and conquered the highest summit.
