Spiritual Disciplines: A Series for Small Group Discussions
By Charles Albrecht and Susi Albrecht
()
About this ebook
Spiritual disciplines should be filled with grace, not legalism. These discussion guides can help small groups explore what "disciplines" are.
Related to Spiritual Disciplines
Related ebooks
Spiritual Transformation: Taking on the Character of Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStudy and Meditation (Lifebuilder Study Guides) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings4 Attitudes of a Disciple: The Abiding Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConnecting with God: A Spiritual Formation Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of Dallas Willard's Hearing God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Serenity Prayer: A Simple Prayer to Enrich Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shed Those Leaves: Emerge to Live Free, True, and Strong Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUntil Christ Is Formed in You: Dallas Willard and Spiritual Formation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kingdom Life: A Practical Theology of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYear with God: Living Out the Spiritual Disciplines Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLearning from Jesus: A Spiritual Formation Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus and the Resurrection: Thirty Addresses for Good Friday and Easter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dynamics of Spiritual Formation (Ministry Dynamics for a New Century) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStudies in Life from Jewish Proverbs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbiding in Christ: a call to intimacy from the Upper Room Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Becoming Like Jesus: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and Talks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Theological Ethics, Grace and Law Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spiritual Maturity: Principles of Spiritual Growth for Every Believer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prayer and Worship: A Spiritual Formation Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why I Love Home Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGuiding Gideon: Awakening to Life and Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation: How Scripture, Spirit, Community, and Mission Shape Our Souls Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Spiritual Disciplines
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Spiritual Disciplines - Charles Albrecht
Spiritual Disciplines
A Series for Small Group Discussions
Charles and Susi Albrecht
Copyright 2015 Grace Communion International
Cover photo: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=17191
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
The NIV
and New International Version
are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Table of Contents
1: Introduction
2: Grace and Discipline
3: Prayer
4: Silence and Solitude
5: Study
6: Fasting
7: Meditation
8: Submission
9: Service
10: Guidance
11: Confession
12: Worship
13: Celebration
14: Whole Life Stewardship
15: Spiritual Discipline – A Lifestyle
About the Authors…
About the Publisher…
Grace Communion Seminary
1: Introduction
Our loving God wants us to live a fulfilled life. Although he does not guarantee us a trouble-free existence, he does give instructions that strengthen our bond with him. God’s purpose is to develop a loving relationship with each one of his children. One powerful way to know our Lord better is through the spiritual disciplines.
Spiritual disciplines can be described as behaviors that facilitate spiritual growth. The process of spiritual growth and development begins to take place when a person encounters God, and God begins to create a new level of consciousness or awareness. When we pursue each day as an exciting opportunity to develop a loving relationship with God, these disciplines will guide us to see our Father’s heart more clearly.
Think of someone you have viewed as a mentor, or someone you have respected in the past. What characteristics caused you to think of this person?
In what ways do you want to be like this person? Why?
Some of us may have asked, What are Christians expected to do on a day-to-day basis?
What would make us ask such a question?
Key Scripture: John 14:5-15
In verse 7, we read, If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.
Why does Jesus respond to Thomas in this way?
What implications does this response have for us as Christians today? (Galatians 2:20)
What did Jesus mean when He said that those who believe Him will do even greater things? (verse 12)
What might a nonbeliever see in a Christian that would help the nonbeliever to know Jesus or the Father?
What are some of the activities in which Jesus regularly participated? (These activities Willard refers to as disciplines.
)
As a group, pray that God will lead the group in the coming discussions on the disciplines.
Almost 2,000 years later, can we truly follow Jesus Christ’s life-model, or is it simply impossible in today’s hectic world?
Challenge for growth
Meditation and prayer:
In the coming weeks, meditate on the importance of the spiritual disciplines in your life.
How have spiritual disciplines changed your life? How would you like them to change your life? Petition God in prayer and thanksgiving to help you.
For further study
In your personal Bible study, take special notice of God’s instruction on the different disciplines.
— The Spirit of