Transformative Journey in Kingdom Living and Community

 

Summary

The School of Kingdom Living offers a transformative journey for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God and integrate the teachings of Jesus into their daily lives. This 18-month program is designed to be more than just an academic pursuit; it is an experiential journey that emphasizes practical application and community engagement. Participants are encouraged to not only learn but to practice and experiment with spiritual teachings, fostering a deeper connection with God and others.

The program is hosted at a retreat center that provides an ideal environment for spiritual growth, with comfortable accommodations and delicious food. The setting is designed to facilitate a retreat-like experience, offering countless spaces for personal reflection and connection with God. The curriculum is crafted by some of the best instructors, ensuring that participants receive high-quality teaching and guidance.

A key aspect of the School of Kingdom Living is its focus on community. Many participants have found a sense of belonging and excitement akin to the joy of Christmas as a child. This community aspect is vital, as it allows for shared experiences and discussions that enhance understanding and personal growth. The program aims to bring Heaven into the lives of its participants, not just prepare them for the afterlife.

John Carroll, the director, invites individuals to explore this journey, emphasizing the power and glory of God's kingdom. The program is an opportunity to connect with others in authentic community and equip oneself for life in God's kingdom. For those interested, further information and the opportunity to join this transformative experience can be found on their website.

Key Takeaways:

- Experiential Learning: The School of Kingdom Living emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging participants to practice and experiment with spiritual teachings. This approach fosters a deeper understanding and integration of Jesus' teachings into everyday life, moving beyond mere head knowledge. [00:12]

- Community and Belonging: The program provides a sense of community and belonging, likened to the excitement of Christmas as a child. This shared journey with others enhances personal growth and spiritual transformation, offering a supportive environment for exploring faith. [01:03]

- Transformative Environment: Hosted at a retreat center, the program offers a transformative environment with comfortable accommodations and spaces for reflection. This setting facilitates a retreat-like experience, allowing participants to connect deeply with God and themselves. [00:38]

- Integration of Heaven into Life: The program aims to integrate the essence of Heaven into participants' lives, not just prepare them for the afterlife. This focus on living out the kingdom of God in daily life is central to the curriculum and community experience. [01:19]

- Invitation to Explore: John Carroll invites individuals to explore this journey, emphasizing the power and glory of God's kingdom. The program is an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God and equip oneself for life in His kingdom. [01:50]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Experiential Learning
[00:24] - Quality Curriculum
[00:38] - Retreat Environment
[00:51] - Community and Belonging
[01:03] - Joyful Anticipation
[01:19] - True Transformation
[01:34] - Invitation to Journey
[01:50] - Discover More
[02:05] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The School of Kingdom Living

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
2. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
3. Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the key elements of the School of Kingdom Living that make it more than just an academic pursuit? [00:12]

2. How does the retreat center environment contribute to the participants' spiritual growth and transformation? [00:38]

3. In what ways does the program emphasize community and belonging, and how is this likened to the excitement of Christmas as a child? [01:03]

4. What is the ultimate goal of the School of Kingdom Living in terms of integrating Heaven into participants' lives? [01:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10) be reflected in the goals of the School of Kingdom Living?

2. In what ways does the program encourage participants to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, as mentioned in Romans 12:2? [01:19]

3. How does the emphasis on community in the School of Kingdom Living align with the encouragement found in Hebrews 10:24-25 to meet together and spur one another on toward love and good deeds? [01:03]

4. What does it mean for the program to aim at getting "Heaven into you" rather than just preparing you for the afterlife? [01:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. How might participating in a program like the School of Kingdom Living help you deepen your relationship with God? [02:05]

2. Consider the environments you spend time in. How can you create or seek out spaces that facilitate personal reflection and connection with God, similar to the retreat center described? [00:38]

3. Think about your sense of community and belonging in your faith journey. What steps can you take to foster a deeper sense of community and shared experiences with others? [01:03]

4. How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus into your everyday life in a practical way, moving beyond just head knowledge? [00:12]

5. Identify one area of your life where you feel Heaven is not yet integrated. What practical steps can you take to bring the essence of Heaven into that area? [01:19]

6. How can you invite others to explore their journey with God, similar to the invitation extended by John Carroll? What might that look like in your context? [01:50]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt the excitement and anticipation of a child at Christmas. How can you recapture that sense of joy and anticipation in your spiritual journey? [01:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiential Faith in Action
The School of Kingdom Living emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, encouraging participants to actively practice and experiment with spiritual teachings. This approach moves beyond mere intellectual understanding, fostering a deeper integration of Jesus' teachings into everyday life. By engaging in practical application, individuals can experience a transformative journey that deepens their relationship with God and enhances their spiritual growth. The program's focus on experiential learning allows participants to explore their faith in a dynamic and meaningful way, leading to a more profound connection with God and others. [00:12]

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (James 1:22-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one spiritual teaching you can actively practice today to deepen your faith and understanding?


Day 2: The Joy of Belonging
The program provides a sense of community and belonging, likened to the excitement of Christmas as a child. This shared journey with others enhances personal growth and spiritual transformation, offering a supportive environment for exploring faith. Participants find joy and encouragement in the company of fellow believers, creating a space where they can openly share their experiences and insights. The community aspect of the program is vital, as it fosters a sense of belonging and connection that enriches the spiritual journey and encourages individuals to grow together in faith. [01:03]

"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: Who in your community can you reach out to today to encourage and support in their spiritual journey?


Day 3: A Sacred Space for Transformation
Hosted at a retreat center, the program offers a transformative environment with comfortable accommodations and spaces for reflection. This setting facilitates a retreat-like experience, allowing participants to connect deeply with God and themselves. The serene environment provides an opportunity for individuals to step away from the distractions of daily life and focus on their spiritual growth. By immersing themselves in this sacred space, participants can experience a profound transformation that renews their faith and strengthens their relationship with God. [00:38]

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create a sacred space in your daily life to withdraw and connect with God more deeply?


Day 4: Living the Kingdom Now
The program aims to integrate the essence of Heaven into participants' lives, not just prepare them for the afterlife. This focus on living out the kingdom of God in daily life is central to the curriculum and community experience. Participants are encouraged to embody the values and principles of God's kingdom in their everyday interactions and decisions. By doing so, they bring the reality of Heaven into their present lives, experiencing the transformative power of God's kingdom here and now. [01:19]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can embody the values of God's kingdom in your daily life today?


Day 5: An Invitation to Journey
John Carroll invites individuals to explore this journey, emphasizing the power and glory of God's kingdom. The program is an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God and equip oneself for life in His kingdom. Participants are encouraged to embark on this transformative journey with an open heart and a willingness to grow. By accepting this invitation, individuals can experience the fullness of God's kingdom and discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life aligned with His purposes. [01:50]

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to accept the invitation to deepen your relationship with God and live fully in His kingdom?

Quotes

"I joined the school of Kingdom living because I wanted to invest in my journey with God I love that the school is so experiential you know it's not just head knowledge we actually practice and experiment with what we're learning at the school of Kingdom living I'm learning to incorporate the teachings of Jesus into my everyday life and it's making a big difference they have the best instructors teaching the best curriculum at the best retreat center and all together it makes for the best experience who wouldn't want to be a part of this" [00:04:24]

"The property of the retreat center is incredible with countless spaces to connect with God the rooms are comfortable the food is delicious this is truly a retreat for years I've read books by Dallas Willard but never had anyone to talk with about them I felt alone and without Community the school of Kingdom living has been the group I've been searching for my whole life everyone is excited to be at the residencies you know how you felt about Christmas as a child well that's what we feel about the school of Kingdom living as adults it's what we look forward" [00:33:96]

"to reading spiritual formation books is great but what's even better is interacting with our students about these truths Experiencing God together and doing spiritual practices together this creates true transformation we have more in mind than just trying to get you to heaven we'd like to get Heaven into you and through our curriculum and our 18-month program that can happen for you I'm John Carroll director of the school of Kingdom living you're invited to explore this incredible 18-month journey of learning and training in community I'd love to hear your story and get to know you and answer your questions simply go to our website to discover if the school of Kingdom living is the next step in your journey the power and the glory of God's in sh able kingdom is at hand I hope you join us if you're looking to deepen your relationship with God connect with people and authentic community and equip yourself and others for life in God's kingdom then this is for you" [00:68:79]

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Transcript
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