Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

1. Spiritual disciplines open space for God in our lives

"Spiritual disciplines give the Holy Spirit space to brood over our souls."

Intentional practices. Spiritual disciplines are not about earning God's favor or manipulating him to do our will. Rather, they are intentional practices that create openings in our lives for God to work. By engaging in disciplines like prayer, Scripture study, fasting, and service, we position ourselves to be transformed by God's grace.

Partnering with the Spirit. These practices allow us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our spiritual formation. As we make space through disciplines, the Spirit shapes us more into the likeness of Christ. This is an organic process that happens over time as we faithfully show up and open ourselves to God's presence and activity.

Freedom and structure. While spiritual disciplines provide helpful structure and rhythms, they should ultimately lead to greater freedom and intimacy with God. The goal is not rigid rule-following, but rather cultivating habits that nurture our relationship with God and others. As we engage in disciplines, we learn to abide more deeply in Christ.

2. Worship is the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices

"Worship is a word most often associated with religion. But worship can be found in the lives of secularists, agnostics and even atheists."

Reorienting our hearts. True worship goes far beyond religious rituals or church attendance. At its core, worship is about reorienting our hearts to value God above all else. It's recognizing that God alone is worthy of our ultimate allegiance and affection. All spiritual disciplines should ultimately lead us into deeper worship of the Trinity.

Everyday worship. Worship extends into every area of our lives as we learn to honor God in our work, relationships, use of time and resources. It involves offering our whole selves - body, mind, and spirit - as a living sacrifice to God. Even mundane tasks can become acts of worship when done with gratitude and for God's glory.

Idols of the heart. Examining what we truly worship reveals the idols of our hearts - those things we look to for ultimate meaning, security, and satisfaction apart from God. Spiritual practices help expose and dethrone these idols, allowing God to take his rightful place at the center of our lives.

3. Self-examination and confession lead to authentic transformation

"Confession embraces Christ's gift of forgiveness and restoration while setting us on the path to renewal and change."

Brutal honesty. Authentic transformation begins with brutal honesty about our sins, weaknesses, and brokenness. Self-examination allows us to bring our whole selves - even the dark and messy parts - into the light of God's love and truth. This creates space for deep healing and change.

Freedom through confession. Confessing our sins to God and trusted others breaks the power of shame and secrecy. It allows us to receive and experience God's forgiveness in tangible ways. Regular confession keeps us humble and dependent on God's grace.

Ongoing process. Self-examination and confession are not one-time events, but ongoing practices in the Christian life. They help us:

• Identify patterns of sin and areas needing growth
• Cultivate self-awareness and emotional health
• Develop integrity between our inner and outer lives
• Experience deeper intimacy with God and others

4. Community is essential for spiritual growth and support

"We were not meant to live as self-reliant, independent operators."

Interdependence. God designed us for community and relationship. Trying to go it alone in our spiritual journey often leads to stagnation or burnout. We need the encouragement, accountability, and support of other believers to thrive.

Body of Christ. The church is meant to be a living expression of Christ's body on earth. As we share life together in authentic community, we experience God's love and grace in tangible ways. Small groups, mentoring relationships, and corporate worship all play vital roles in our spiritual formation.

Mutual transformation. In community, we have opportunities to:

• Use our spiritual gifts to build up others
• Receive care and support in times of need
• Practice forgiveness and reconciliation
• Learn from diverse perspectives and experiences
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds

5. Scripture engagement shapes our prayer life and worldview

"Praying Scripture allows God to direct the content of prayer. It opens the heart to praying particular prayers, psalms, teachings and hopes found in the Bible."

Living and active. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings, but the living Word of God that speaks into our lives today. As we engage with Scripture through study, meditation, and memorization, it shapes our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world around us.

Praying the Word. Using Scripture to guide our prayers aligns our hearts with God's will and purposes. It provides language for expressing our deepest longings and helps us pray according to God's character and promises. Praying the Psalms, in particular, gives voice to the full range of human emotions and experiences.

Renewed minds. Regular Scripture engagement transforms our thinking and worldview. It helps us:

• Discern truth from lies
• Make wise decisions
• Resist temptation
• Cultivate godly character
• Find comfort and hope in difficult times

6. Contemplative practices cultivate awareness of God's presence

"Contemplation is about waking up. To be contemplative is to experience an event fully, in all its aspects."

Present moment awareness. Contemplative practices like centering prayer, lectio divina, and the examen train us to be fully present to God in the here and now. They help quiet our busy minds and open us to God's presence and activity in every moment.

Beyond words. While words and concepts have their place, contemplative prayer moves beyond them into a place of simple being with God. It cultivates a deeper, intuitive knowing of God's love and truth that goes beyond intellectual understanding.

Transformative seeing. Contemplative practices teach us to see ourselves, others, and the world around us through God's eyes. They help us:

• Recognize God's presence in all things
• Become aware of our true identity in Christ
• Notice God's activity in everyday life
• Cultivate compassion for ourselves and others
• Experience deeper union with God

7. Service and stewardship incarnate Christ's love in the world

"God intends for the body of Christ to battle affluenza and reach the world with his loving care."

Hands and feet of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to be his tangible presence in the world. Service and stewardship allow us to put our faith into action, demonstrating God's love in practical ways. This includes caring for the poor, advocating for justice, and being good stewards of creation.

Counterculture values. In a world driven by consumerism and self-interest, Christian service and stewardship offer a radical alternative. They challenge us to live simply, share generously, and prioritize the needs of others over our own comfort and convenience.

Holistic discipleship. Service and stewardship are not just add-ons to the Christian life, but integral aspects of following Jesus. They help us:

• Develop Christ-like character
• Use our gifts and resources for God's kingdom
• Experience the joy of participating in God's mission
• Cultivate gratitude and contentment
• Witness to God's love in tangible ways

8. Prayer is a multifaceted dialogue with God

"Prayer is sustained less by duty than by a desire to connect and grow in intimacy and communion with the holy Three."

Relationship, not ritual. At its core, prayer is about cultivating a living relationship with God. While structure and discipline have their place, the goal is intimate communion with the Trinity. Prayer should be motivated by love and desire for God, not obligation or guilt.

Many expressions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to prayer. The Bible and Christian tradition offer a rich variety of prayer forms to suit different personalities, seasons of life, and spiritual needs. These include:

• Contemplative prayer
• Intercessory prayer
• Liturgical prayer
• Breath prayer
• Journaling
• Prayer walking

Listening posture. Prayer is not just about presenting our requests to God, but also listening for his voice. Cultivating a receptive, listening posture in prayer allows God to shape our desires and guide our lives according to his will.

9. Fasting and simplicity detach us from worldly dependencies

"Fasting reminds us that we care about 'soul' things. We care about the church. We care about the world."

Reordering desires. Fasting and simplicity help expose our attachments and dependencies on things other than God. By voluntarily going without food, possessions, or comforts, we create space to realign our hearts with what truly matters.

Countercultural witness. In a culture of excess and instant gratification, fasting and simplicity offer a powerful alternative witness. They demonstrate that our ultimate satisfaction and security come from God alone, not material possessions or worldly success.

Spiritual benefits. Regular practices of fasting and simplicity can:

• Increase spiritual sensitivity and discernment
• Foster gratitude and contentment
• Free up resources for generosity and service
• Cultivate self-discipline and self-control
• Create margin for prayer and reflection

10. Silence and solitude create room for divine encounter

"Silence offers a way of paying attention to the Spirit of God and what he brings to the surface of our souls."

Escaping the noise. In a world of constant noise and distraction, intentional times of silence and solitude are essential for spiritual health. They allow us to disconnect from external stimuli and tune into God's still, small voice.

Inner awareness. Silence and solitude bring us face to face with ourselves - our thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This self-awareness is crucial for authentic spiritual growth and transformation. It helps us identify areas needing healing and surrender to God.

Divine intimacy. Regular times of silence and solitude cultivate deeper intimacy with God. They provide space for:

• Listening prayer and contemplation
• Processing life experiences with God
• Receiving divine guidance and direction
• Experiencing God's love and acceptance
• Renewing our minds and spirits

Last updated: November 20, 2024