Spiritual Disciplines: Means to Grow Closer to God
Summary
In our journey of faith, it's crucial to ensure that spiritual disciplines do not become ends in themselves. Much like how jogging or bodybuilding can shift from being health-focused to becoming self-focused, spiritual practices can also become self-serving if we're not careful. The key is to remember that these disciplines are not about earning merit but addressing our spiritual needs. Salvation is by grace, and our actions should reflect our dependence on God, not our own abilities.
Understanding this requires a constant reminder of the truths of the gospel. As we engage in spiritual disciplines, we will face challenges, particularly with pride. Pride can be a significant stumbling block, but it is often best managed by recognizing its absurdity and learning to laugh at ourselves. This humility helps us keep our focus on God rather than on our achievements.
It's also important to recognize that spiritual disciplines are not a cure-all. They do not replace rest, faith, or the need for community and ministry. Sometimes, what we need is not more discipline but the support and ministry of others. Spiritual disciplines are most beneficial for those who are already in a good spiritual state and are looking to further manifest the power and glory of Christ in their lives.
By keeping these truths at the forefront, we can ensure that our spiritual practices remain a means to grow closer to God and not an end in themselves.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Disciplines as Means, Not Ends: Spiritual disciplines should not become self-serving. They are tools to address our spiritual needs, not ways to earn merit. Salvation is by grace, and our actions should reflect our dependence on God. [00:51]
2. The Challenge of Pride: Engaging in spiritual disciplines will test our pride. Recognizing the silliness of pride and learning to laugh at ourselves can help manage it. This humility keeps our focus on God rather than our achievements. [01:31]
3. Disciplines Are Not Cure-Alls: Spiritual disciplines do not replace rest, faith, or community. Sometimes, we need the ministry and support of others rather than more discipline. They are most beneficial for those in a good spiritual state. [02:12]
4. The Role of Community: While personal disciplines are important, they do not replace the need for community and ministry. We must be open to receiving help and support from others in our spiritual journey. [02:23]
5. Manifesting Christ's Glory: For those in a good spiritual state, disciplines can help manifest the full power and glory of Christ in their lives. They are working plans for deepening our relationship with God. [02:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Avoiding Self-Focused Disciplines
[00:30] - The Danger of Pride
[00:51] - Salvation by Grace
[01:04] - Marks of Need, Not Merit
[01:15] - Learning Through Practice
[01:31] - Managing Pride with Humility
[01:45] - Keeping Truths Before Us
[01:59] - Disciplines Are Not Cure-Alls
[02:12] - The Need for Rest and Faith
[02:23] - The Role of Community
[02:34] - Manifesting Christ's Glory
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
2. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are some examples given in the sermon of how spiritual disciplines can become self-serving? [00:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of pride in our spiritual practices? [01:31]
3. According to the sermon, what are spiritual disciplines unable to replace in our lives? [02:12]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the most effective way to manage pride? [01:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 relate to the idea that spiritual disciplines are not about earning merit? [00:51]
2. In what ways might Philippians 2:12-13 encourage believers to engage in spiritual disciplines while maintaining a focus on God's work in them?
3. How does the concept of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 emphasize the importance of community in our spiritual journey? [02:23]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spiritual disciplines and manifesting the glory of Christ in one's life? [02:34]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any that have become more about routine than about growing closer to God? How can you refocus them? [00:16]
2. Pride can be a stumbling block in our spiritual journey. Can you identify a recent situation where pride affected your actions or thoughts? How might you approach it differently next time? [01:31]
3. Consider a time when you felt the need for rest or community support rather than more discipline. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [02:12]
4. How can you incorporate laughter and humility into your daily life to better manage pride? [01:45]
5. Think about your role in your spiritual community. How can you contribute to the support and ministry of others, and how can you be open to receiving help when needed? [02:23]
6. Identify one spiritual discipline you practice. How can you ensure it remains a means to grow closer to God rather than an end in itself? [00:51]
7. For those in a good spiritual state, what specific steps can you take to manifest the power and glory of Christ more fully in your life? [02:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Disciplines as Tools for Growth
Spiritual disciplines are not about earning merit or proving one's worth. They are tools designed to address our spiritual needs and help us grow closer to God. These practices, such as prayer, fasting, and meditation, should be approached with the understanding that salvation is by grace. Our actions should reflect our dependence on God, not our own abilities. When spiritual disciplines become self-serving, they lose their true purpose. It's essential to keep the focus on God and use these practices as a means to deepen our relationship with Him. [00:51]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to use spiritual disciplines to prove your worth rather than grow closer to God? How can you refocus these practices to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Humility in the Face of Pride
Engaging in spiritual disciplines often tests our pride. Pride can be a significant stumbling block, but it is best managed by recognizing its absurdity and learning to laugh at ourselves. This humility helps us keep our focus on God rather than on our achievements. By acknowledging the silliness of pride, we can maintain a posture of humility that allows us to grow spiritually and keep our eyes fixed on God. [01:31]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where pride got in the way of your spiritual growth. How can you approach similar situations with humility and a sense of humor in the future?
Day 3: The Limitations of Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are not cure-alls. They do not replace the need for rest, faith, or community. Sometimes, what we need is not more discipline but the support and ministry of others. These practices are most beneficial for those who are already in a good spiritual state and are looking to further manifest the power and glory of Christ in their lives. It's important to recognize when to seek help and support from others rather than relying solely on personal disciplines. [02:12]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying too heavily on spiritual disciplines instead of seeking support from your community? How can you reach out for help this week?
Day 4: The Importance of Community
While personal disciplines are important, they do not replace the need for community and ministry. We must be open to receiving help and support from others in our spiritual journey. Community provides encouragement, accountability, and a space to share burdens. By engaging with others, we can grow in our faith and experience the fullness of God's love and grace. [02:23]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively engage with your community this week to both give and receive support in your spiritual journey?
Day 5: Manifesting Christ's Glory
For those in a good spiritual state, spiritual disciplines can help manifest the full power and glory of Christ in their lives. These practices are working plans for deepening our relationship with God and allowing His glory to shine through us. By maintaining a strong spiritual foundation, we can be vessels of Christ's love and power in the world, reflecting His glory in all that we do. [02:34]
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you use your spiritual disciplines to manifest Christ's glory in your daily life? How can you be a vessel of His love and power to those around you?
Quotes
"How to keep the disciplines from becoming ends in themselves, that is to say that we're doing them just for their own sake or for I parallel them in the book to people who start maybe jogging for health and then they get wow you know I'm a great jogger and so it jogging becomes an end in itself." [00:10:00]
"Of course we do have to understand that salvation is by grace, that these deeds are not meritorious, that in fact there are measures to be taken only because of a special need we have, that they are not marks of merit they are marks of need, and to hold those truths continually before us." [00:57:76]
"You will be tested on the point of your pride repeatedly and the only way you can learn how to handle that is just doing it, and pride probably is best handled at the point where you recognize how silly it is and laughter undoubtedly does more to control pride than any other thing." [01:31:04]
"And the disciplines are not a cure-all, well we can add that, they don't take the place of rest, they don't take the place of faith, they don't take the place of understanding the gospel, they don't take the case of ministry, sometimes we don't need discipline we need others to minister to us." [02:01:59]
"Generally speaking the disciplines are for people who are in pretty good working condition as they stand and they really want to begin to manifest the full power and glory of Christ in their lives, then it's then they can begin to take these as working plans for doing that." [02:23:76]
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