Why teach on the Spiritual Practices?
If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. – 1 John 2:4-6 (MSG)
Jesus not only taught about spiritual practices — He lived them…
PART 1 — Go Deeper
1. Prayer
Read:
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. – Luke 5:16 (NLT)
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. – Mark 1:35 (NLT)
The Prayer of Jesus
17 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name, ] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” – John 17 (NLT)
Reflect:
What do you notice about how Jesus prayed?
How do yours and Jesus’ prayers differ?
What does Jesus’ prayer life reveal about His relationship with the Father?
Have a Go:
“The Prayer Examen” (~15 minutes)
Reflect on the last 24 hours.
Write down:
- Where did I feel close to God?
- Where did I feel distant or distracted?
Pray and offer gratitude.
2. Sabbath
Read:
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” – Mark 2:27–28 (NLT)
Reflect:
How has your understanding of Sabbath changed over the past few months?
Have a Go:
Craft a Sabbath plan with lists of:
- STOP — Activities to cease
- REST — Activities that replenish
- DELIGHT — Activities that spark joy
- WORSHIP — Practices that anchor the day in God
3. Fasting
Read:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. –Matthew 4:1–2 (NLT)
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. – Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)
Reflect:
What desires compete with your desire for God?
Have a Go:
“The Desire Inventory”
Write down:
- What you reach for when you feel stressed / bored / lonely
- What you fear losing
- What you think you “need”
4. Solitude
Read:
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.– Mark 1:35 (NLT)
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. – Matthew 14:13 (NLT)
Reflect:
- What happens inside you when you are silent and still?
- What fears or distractions surface in solitude?
Have a Go:
- Find a quiet place.
- Sit/lie down/walk – do whatever you’re most comfortable with.
- Take 3 deep breaths.
- See what thoughts & feelings surface and surrender them to God.
If this is in your comfort zone, go for 30 minutes. If it’s out of your comfort zone, start small (even 1 minute is good to begin with!).
PART 2 — Introduction to the Practices that will be covered next year
- Scripture
- Service
- Generosity
- Community
- Witness
Bible Study on Community:
Read:
Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. – Mark 3:13-15 (NLT)
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”. When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT)
Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). – Mark 5:37 (NLT)
Reflect:
- Who are we called to be in community with?
- Who are the people God is calling me to walk more intentionally with?
