Chapter 8 - Second half...

This week, let's finish up "The Exchanged Life Spirituality - Grasping Our True Identity in Christ". From page 104 to the end, we will look at: 1) God's Character and Plan, 2) Our Old And New Natures and 3) Our God-Created Needs. Basically, we're going to dig into the fact that God has set eternity in our heart, and He alone can fill the void (Ecc 3:11). In reading and reflecting, think through these two questions: A) How does God's plan flow out of and reflect his Character? B) Which of the three categories of psychological needs is the most important to you? Where do you usually turn to have this need met?

Chapter 8 - Exchanged Life Spirituality - Grasping Our True Identity in Christ

Exchanged life spirituality concentrates on the reality of the new identity through the in-Christ relationship that can dramatically transform us as we progressively grasp it in our experience. It stresses that the spiritual life is not a matter of trying to do things for Jesus but of claiming and resting in what he has already done for us. This chapter sets the stage for this issue of identity by considering our God-given needs for love and acceptance, significance and identity, and competence and fulfilment. In this chapter consider: 1) A clearer sense of the principles involved in exchanged life spiritually, 2) An appreciation for God's character and his loving plan that flows out of his character, 3) An understanding of our God-created needs for love and acceptance, significance and identity, and competence and fulfilment.

Chapter 7 - Disciplined Spirituality - Prayer

Prayer: "The concept of communicating with God, of talking directly and openly with him just as we would talk with an intimate friend, is one of the greatest truths in Scripture." Are we really leveraging the power and wisdom that is available to us in the simple communication with God? Or do we seriously desire to talk with God more than our friends, colleagues, family or .... [you fill in the blank]? Reading through Boa's 10 benefits of prayer on page 94, makes one wonder why we wouldn't tap into this spiritual discipline of prayer even more. 1) Enhances our fellowship and intimacy with God, 2) It is commanded, 3) We follow the example of Christ when we do it, 4) It appropriates God's power for our lives, 5) We receive special help from God, 6) It makes a genuine difference, 7) Prayer develops our understanding and knowledge of God, 8) Our prayers and God's answers give us joy and peace in our hearts, 9) Prayer helps us understand and accomplish God's purposes for our lives, and 10) It changes our attitudes and desires. Take a look at the suggestions to enhance your practice of prayer on pages 94-96. Then review Appendix A to get a better sense for who you are and how that would impact your spiritual discipline of prayer.

Chapter 7 - 3 Disciplines of Engagement - Study and Meditation

This week, let's dig into Study and Meditation. In the section on study, Boa outlines several good techniques to get past looking at the Bible as a textbook. Read this list over and determine what new ideas may kickstart your study of the Word. In the section for meditation, since we're "always sowing thoughts" consider what you are allowing to be sown and from what source. Does it align to the litmus test in Philipians 4:8? If not (completely), what can you do about that??

Chapter 7 - Solitude and Silence (Disciplines of Abstinence)

Solitude and Silence are companion disciplines; silence gives depth to solitude, and solitude creates a place for silence. If solitude was important enough for Jesus to 1) prepare for His inaugural ministry (wilderness), 2) prepare to select His disciples (mountain), and 3) prepare to sacrifice His life for us (garden); how much more should it be important to us? Consider that each day has clustered opportunities for little moments of solitude. Silence is then what you do in solitude. This "verbal fast" helps develop inner control and composure, the less we will feel compelled to gain outward control over people and circumstances. Enjoy reviewing the 20 disciplines (pgs 82-86) and then digging into the deep dive of Solitude and Silence (pgs 86-89).

Chapter 7 - Spiritual Disciplines

This chapter outlines twenty disciplines of the faith and focuses on two disciplines of abstinence (solitude and silence) and three disciplines of engagement (study, meditation, and prayer). A number of suggestions are offered for practicng these five strategic disciplines. You can read the disciplines at: http://books.google.com/books?id=9iN9qx0e9S0C&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&ots=UM75N-tHMH&dq=ken+boa+chapter+7+list+of+spiritual+disciplines&output=html_text Which ones resonate with you? 1) Solitude, 2) Silence, 3) Prayer, 4) Journaling, 5) Study, 6) Meditation, 7) Fasting, 8) Chastity, 9) Secrecy, 10) Confession, 11) Fellowship, 12) Submission, 13) Guidance, 14) Simplicity, 15) Stewardship, 16) Sacrifice, 17) Worship, 18) Celebration, 19) Service and 20) Witness

Chapter 6 - Disciplined Spirituality

Discipline should work in concert with dependence, since grace is not opposed to effort but to 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. How do we achieve balance - not overemphasizing our role and minimizing God's role?