Spiritual disciplines are activities Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Spiritual disciplines are activities of mind and body purposefully undertaken to bring our personality and total being into effective cooperation with the divine order. (Dallas Willard)

What are spiritual disciplines? his transforming power in us. Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b What are spiritual disciplines? Intentional practices that deepen our experience of God’s grace by creating space for God’s Spirit to do his transforming power in us. (Dallas Willard)

Suffering that brings success Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Suffering that brings success There is no success without suffering. If you are experiencing success without suffering, it’s because someone else suffered. If you are suffering without success, it’s so someone else can have success. Adiniram Judson

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b No discipline is enjoyable while it’s happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained [“gymnasium-ed”] in this way. (Hebrews 12.11)

Personalize your training Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Personalize your training One way to know God is to spend time with him each day. Set aside a specific time for prayer and Bible study and plan to stick to it... Ask yourself, Have I surrendered this new day to God and will I seek and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout its hours? Wait until you can honestly say, Yes... Eric Liddell  

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b A serious Christian Resolved, to live with all my might while I do live. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. Resolved, never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge. Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. (Jonathan Edwards)

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Two categories of spiritual disciplines Disengagement/Abstinence: Solitude, silence, fasting, frugality/simplicity, chastity, secrecy, sacrifice Engagement: study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, and fellowship, confession, submission Or Get Alone and Get Together

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Remaining in Jesus Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. (John 15.4). cf: Gal. 2.20; Col. 2.6-7

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Remaining in Jesus Jesus says eat my flesh and drink my blood in John 6.63ff. We are to digest him, be absorbed in him.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 1st spoke: the Word “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8.31-32) cf 2 Tim. 3.16; Col. 3.16

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 1st spoke: the Word We learn to listen for God’s voice as we read and meditate on his Word.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 2nd spoke: Prayer But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15.7) cf Phil. 4.6-7; 1 Th 5.17

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 2nd spoke: Prayer Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God about things of interest to both of us.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 3rd spoke: Church Let's think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let's not neglect our meeting together...

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 3rd spoke: Church ...as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Heb. 10.24-25) cf Jn 13.34-35; Rom 12

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 3rd spoke: Church We’re adopted into God’s family. Now we commit to worship, study and do life together.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 4th spoke: Good News ...worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. (1 Peter 3.15-16)

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 4th spoke: Good News Then if people speak against you, they’ll be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. (1 Peter 3.15-16)

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b 4th spoke: Good News We are salt and light to our world, showing and telling the Jesus-lifestyle.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Rim: Obedience Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. (John 14.21)

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Rim: Obedience Our lifestyle used to be do my thing. Now it’s love and obey Jesus. This is where the rubber hits the road.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Motion: Dream “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29.11)

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Motion: Dream We move out into God’s plan for our life, bringing God’s love and life to many others.

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Our reality Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. ...

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Our reality How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again ...

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b Our reality ... to God's faithful presence in our lives. -- Henri Nouwen

Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4.7b And you? Which are strong? Which are weak? Where to start? Who can help?