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Spiritual Disciplines (Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3)
Scripture References: Acts 11:19-30, Acts 13:1-3, Proverbs 16:32, Ephesians 4:11-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18
Intro:
- Recap of the Antioch church: evangelistic, diverse, generous, and Spirit-led.
- Focus on their commitment to spiritual disciplines, mirroring Jesus’s lifestyle.
- Addressing the challenge: shifting from mere “trying” to intentional “training.”
- Highlighting the importance of spiritual disciplines for Christ-likeness.
Key Points:
- The Antioch Model:
- Their actions reflected Jesus's practices: worship, fasting, prayer, and generosity.
- The term "Christian" arose from observing their Christ-like behavior.
- The "Becoming" vs. "Doing" Dilemma:
- Often, we focus on outward actions rather than inward transformation.
- Spiritual disciplines address this, shaping our character to reflect Christ.
- Defining Spiritual Disciplines:
- Practices that create space for the Holy Spirit's transforming work.
- Not about earning favor, but about aligning with God’s ways.
- Dallas Willard: “A discipline is any activity that I can do by direct effort that will eventually enable me to do that which currently I cannot do by direct effort.”
- Joe Marcomer: “Practices based on the lifestyle of Jesus that create a time and a space for us to live. For us to access the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. And in doing so, be transformed from the inside out.”
- Training vs. Trying:
- We often expect to act like Jesus without adopting His lifestyle.
- Disciplines are training, not just trying to mimic Jesus in isolated moments.
- Examples include prayer, fasting, solitude, and community.
- Practical Application:
- Tailor disciplines to address specific needs (engagement vs. abstinence).
- Embrace the difficulty: “If it burns, you probably need it.”
- Consider seasons of life: adjust practices accordingly.
Conclusion:
- Spiritual disciplines are essential for transformation and Christ-likeness.
- We are called to train ourselves in godliness.
- God’s grace enables and empowers us in this journey.
Call to Action:
- Reflect on areas where you need to train, not just try.
- Choose one spiritual discipline to focus on this week.
- Take the provided survey to assist in future teaching.
- Pray for God’s guidance and strength in your pursuit of Christ-likeness.
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*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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