Memorize:

1 Tim. 4:7 "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"

Background:

Lazy Christianity has plagued the modern church mistakenly claiming that since we are under grace, we are also under no obligation to do anything. As Dallas Willard put it in The Great Ommission, “Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort.” Spiritual Disciplines are some of the ways we receive God’s grace and are necessary as we grow in Christ.

Overview:

1. How did you do with last week’s homework? Share with the group.
2. Study the diagram. Focus on the portion titled “discipline”.
3. Why are “individual” disciplines important in our walk with Christ?
4. Why are “corporate” disciplines important in our walk with Christ?

1. What do the following passages say about what we are becoming in Christ as His disciples?

• Col.3:9-10: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

Note: These four key commitments are by no means all of the disciplines we are to have, but they are the most basic…and they are often the most neglected. All four of these disciplines in both the individual and corporate realms must be kept in balance as we grow in Christ. Rank yourself from strongest to weakest as you read the passages that deal with each of the eight (4 disciplines X 2 aspects) areas. (1 = strongest, 8 = weakest)

2. INDIVIDUAL: What does this passage say about prayer? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your individual prayer life as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Eph.6:18: “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

3. CORPORATE: What does this passage say about prayer? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your desire and discipline of joining in corporate prayer as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Col.4:2-4: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

4. INDIVIDUAL: What does this passage say about Scripture? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your individual love for God’s word and discipline in spending time reading, memorizing and meditating on it as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Jn. 8:31: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,”

5. CORPORATE: What does this passage say about Scripture? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your love for hearing God’s word preached and support of the public proclamation and reading of Scripture as compared with the other 7 areas?

• 1 Tim. 4:13: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”

6. INDIVIDUAL: What does this passage say about the Church? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your individual devotion to a local church as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Heb. 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

7. CORPORATE: What does this passage say about the Church? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your mutual commitment to biblical fellowship within your local church as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Jn. 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

8. INDIVIDUAL: What do these passages say about your individual ministry? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your individual ministry as compared with the other 7 areas?

• Titus 3:8: “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

• Eph. 4:12: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

9. CORPORATE: What does this passage say about the ministry of everyone in the church? In light of the passage below, how would you rank your commitment towards the ministries that your local church is committed to as compared with the other 7 areas? (English Version: The “you” here is the second person plural.)

• 2 Thess. 1:11-12: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What are your 3 weakest areas? Write them down.

1. Now, write down 2 practical things that you plan to do in order to improve in those areas.

2. Bring this lesson with you to the next meeting so that you can share how you did in each of these areas.

3. To whom will you teach this lesson?