Choosing Intentional Habits for Spiritual Growth
Summary
In our journey together as a church, we have been exploring the profound impact of our daily choices on our spiritual walk and our lives as a whole. We've come to understand that change is a personal decision, not something that can be forced upon us by others. Our series, "Choose for Yourself," has been a clarion call to take ownership of our decisions and to intentionally align our lives with God's will.
We began by acknowledging our desire to improve in various aspects of our lives, such as managing our time and finances more effectively. We recognized that while our intentions may be good, without making daily, intentional choices to change our direction, we will not reach our desired destination. We committed to being intentional about following God's plan every day, taking ownership of our choices.
We delved into the importance of asking the right questions before making decisions, moving beyond the simplistic "right or wrong" to seeking what God has for us. We also addressed the internal struggle between the flesh and the spirit, emphasizing that victory in this battle is determined by where we set our minds and hearts.
In our discussions, we've come to see that habits are a part of God's design for our lives. God created us with the ability to form habits, and while His intention was for us to develop good habits that lead us into His plan and purpose, we also face an enemy, Satan, who seeks to use our habits to steal, kill, and destroy the life that Jesus died for us to have.
We've learned that our habits can either propel us towards God's plan or keep us stuck. The Bible compares our lives to a race, urging us to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us so that we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We are made on purpose and with a purpose, and it's time to cast off the habits that have been hindering us for too long.
We've also explored the science of habits, understanding that a significant portion of our daily activities is directed by routines and habits that have become automatic. This realization calls us to be intentional about the habits we form and the influences we allow in our lives.
The company we keep plays a crucial role in shaping our habits. We've seen through Scripture how the friends of the paralyzed man brought him to Jesus, changing his life forever. Similarly, the company we keep can either lift us up towards Jesus or keep us stuck in destructive patterns.
Finally, we've been reminded that self-discipline is key to living the life God has for us. It's not about external discipline imposed by others but about choosing for ourselves to apply self-discipline in our lives, allowing God to renew our minds and transform us.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from our time together:
1. Habits are God's intentional design for our lives, meant to lead us into His plan and purpose. However, we must be vigilant, as the enemy seeks to corrupt our habits to derail us from our God-given destiny. It is our responsibility to cultivate good habits that honor God and propel us forward in our spiritual race. [08:41]
2. The company we keep has the power to either elevate us or hinder us. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man carried him to Jesus, we must surround ourselves with individuals who will lift us up and help us move towards God's plan for our lives. Our relationships should reflect our commitment to Christ and encourage us to grow in faith. [39:02]
3. Self-discipline is not a burden but a liberating choice that aligns us with God's will. By choosing self-discipline, we take control of our spiritual journey, refusing to conform to the world's patterns. This daily decision to die to ourselves and live for Christ is the essence of true discipleship. [29:33]
4. Renewing our minds is essential for discerning and living out God's will. This transformation is a cooperative process between our efforts and the Holy Spirit's work within us. By allowing Jesus to renew our minds, we can navigate life with the confidence that we are in step with God's purposes. [26:12]
5. Intentionality in our habits is crucial. More than 30% of our daily activities are directed by subconscious routines. By being intentional with our habits, we ensure that a significant portion of our lives is dedicated to practices that draw us closer to God and His plan for us. [22:34]
May these insights guide us as we continue to choose for ourselves the path of righteousness, discipline, and intentional living for the glory of God. Amen.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:2 (NIV) - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. John 10:10 (NIV) - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:2, what are we instructed not to conform to, and what should we seek instead? How does this relate to the concept of renewing our minds? [04:28]
2. In John 10:10, what are the contrasting purposes of the thief and Jesus? How does this verse highlight the importance of intentional living? [09:50]
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 uses the metaphor of a race. What are we encouraged to throw off, and what should we focus on to run the race effectively? [13:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of habits in our spiritual journey? What are some examples of good and bad habits mentioned? [06:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Romans 12:2 speaks about the transformation through the renewing of our minds. How does this process help us discern God's will in our daily choices? [04:28]
2. John 10:10 contrasts the thief's intent with Jesus' purpose. How can recognizing this contrast influence our daily decisions and habits? [09:50]
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to throw off hindrances and sin. What are some practical steps we can take to identify and remove these obstacles in our lives? [13:15]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-discipline. How does self-discipline contribute to aligning our lives with God's will? [28:58]
#### Application Questions
1. Romans 12:2 talks about renewing our minds. What specific steps can you take this week to allow Jesus to renew your mind? Are there particular habits or thought patterns you need to change? [04:28]
2. John 10:10 highlights the thief's intent to destroy and Jesus' intent to give life. Reflect on your current habits. Are there any that you recognize as destructive? How can you replace them with life-giving habits? [09:50]
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to throw off everything that hinders. Identify one habit or sin that is entangling you. What practical steps can you take to cast it off and run your race with perseverance? [13:15]
4. The sermon discusses the influence of the company we keep. Are there relationships in your life that are hindering your spiritual growth? How can you seek out and cultivate relationships that will lift you up towards Jesus? [36:45]
5. Self-discipline is described as a liberating choice. What area of your life requires more self-discipline? How can you start implementing self-discipline in that area this week? [28:58]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of intentionality in our habits. What is one habit you can intentionally develop this month to draw closer to God? How will you ensure this habit becomes a part of your daily routine? [22:34]
7. Reflect on the story of the paralyzed man and his friends. How can you be a friend who lifts others towards Jesus? Is there someone in your life who needs your support to get closer to God? [37:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Habits for God's Purpose
Habits are the invisible architecture of daily life, significantly influencing the trajectory of our spiritual journey. As intentional beings created in the image of God, we are endowed with the capacity to form habits that either draw us closer to Him or pull us away. It is crucial to recognize that habits are not merely personal preferences but are part of a divine design intended to lead us into a life that fulfills God's plan and purpose. The enemy, however, is always at work, attempting to twist these patterns to disrupt our connection with God and derail us from our destiny. By being vigilant and proactive, we can cultivate habits that honor God, strengthen our faith, and propel us forward in the race set before us. [08:41]
"Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." - Ephesians 4:24-25
Reflection: What is one habit you can start forming this week that aligns with God's purpose for your life?
Day 2: The Influence of Godly Companionship
The people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our spiritual growth and the habits we form. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man in Scripture took active steps to bring him to Jesus, we too should seek companions who encourage us toward spiritual health and maturity. These relationships are not just about mutual support but also about challenging each other to pursue Christ more fervently. By choosing friends who reflect our commitment to Christ, we create an environment that fosters growth and resilience in our faith journey. [39:02]
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
Reflection: Who in your life consistently encourages you to grow in your faith, and how can you strengthen that relationship?
Day 3: Embracing Self-Discipline as Liberation
Self-discipline is often misunderstood as a restrictive force, yet in the context of our faith, it is a liberating choice that aligns us with the will of God. It is about taking control of our spiritual journey, making daily decisions that reflect our commitment to Christ. This discipline is not imposed from the outside but is a choice we make to live a life that is pleasing to God. By applying self-discipline, we are able to resist the patterns of the world and instead, embrace the transformation that comes from a renewed mind. [29:33]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to exercise more self-discipline, and what is the first step you can take today to improve in that area?
Day 4: Renewing the Mind for Discernment
The renewal of our minds is a transformative process that enables us to discern and live out God's will. This is not a passive occurrence but a dynamic cooperation between our deliberate efforts and the Holy Spirit's work within us. As we allow Jesus to renew our minds, we gain clarity and confidence in navigating life's decisions, ensuring that our actions and thoughts are in step with God's purposes. This renewal is essential for understanding what is truly good, acceptable, and perfect in the eyes of God. [26:12]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
Reflection: What is one practical way you can allow God to renew your mind today, and how will that impact your decision-making?
Day 5: Intentionality in Habit Formation
Our daily activities are largely governed by subconscious routines and habits. Understanding this, we must be intentional about the habits we form, ensuring they contribute positively to our spiritual well-being. By consciously choosing habits that draw us closer to God, we dedicate a significant portion of our lives to practices that enhance our relationship with Him. Intentionality in our habits allows us to live out our faith authentically and consistently, even in the smallest aspects of our daily lives. [22:34]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection: What is one habit you need to change or eliminate to better use your time for God's glory, and what is the first step you can take to address it?
Quotes
"The company you keep will determine where you get to. We're not called to go to church; we're called to be the church. Can you imagine the difference we can make in this city?" [43:16](Download)
"It's time to throw off those bad habits and replace them with intentional good habits that push us towards Jesus. You have to choose for yourself." [43:57](Download)
"Our enemy would like nothing more than for us to stay with our bad habits, because with your bad habits, he can steal your time, destroy your finances, kill your relationships, and stop you from living the life God created you for." [11:29](Download)
"Studies say that more than 30% of our daily function is directly affected and directed by routines and habits in our lives, which means a significant portion of our day is on autopilot." [22:34](Download)
"The company he kept got him to where he needed to go. If it wasn't for his friends, he'd still be stuck. The company you keep is either going to lift you up or keep you stuck." [39:02](Download)
"Self-discipline is not a burden but a liberating choice that aligns us with God's will. By choosing self-discipline, we take control of our spiritual journey." [29:33](Download)
"We need to throw off our bad habits and replace them with good ones so that we can run the race that God has for us, and that happens by allowing Him to renew our minds." [26:45](Download)
"I believe habits are a part of God's design and plan for our lives. His intention was for us to have good habits that lead us into His plan and purpose." [08:41](Download)
"Evil company corrupts good habits. It's not just about me; it's actually about me and who I spend time with. The company I keep." [32:44](Download)
"We need our brain to have a makeover, and we read about it in Romans 12:2. We have to play a part in allowing Jesus to renew our minds." [27:23](Download)
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