Vitals - Spiritual Formation Pt. 2
Dave Riddle - 07/14/19
Key Verses: Philippians 3:10, Galatians 4:19
ginōskō (Greek: γινώσκω) - to know by experience, in contract to an intellectual or intuitive type of knowledge.
it’s one thing to know what sunburn is, it’s another thing completely to ‘experience’ sunburn.
symmorphizō (Greek: συμμορφίζω) - to receive the same form as; to be conformed to.
Luke 6:40 - ...everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
We are being transformed, not by our own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Practices & Rhythms
Not obligations, but invitations!
Study
Philippians 4:8 - “...dwell on these things”
Repetition, conversation, reflection
Meditation
Psalm 63:6 HCSB): When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches
On scripture, on the works of God, on the things we see happening around us.
Prayer
“Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the father.” -R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’
Fasting
Luke 4:1-2 - Jesus fasted.
“More than any other discipline fasting reveals the things that control us.” - R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’
Matthew 6:16 - not a requirement, but it does appear to be an expectation. “when you fast”
Solitude
Mark 1:35
Solitude =/= loneliness
Let him who cannot be alone beware of community... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone... Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair.” - Bonhoeffer ‘Life Together’
Simplicity
“The central point for the discipline of simplicity is to seek the kingdom of God and righteousness of his kingdom first and then everything necessary will come in it’s proper order.” - R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’
Submission
To God, to the cross, to scripture, to our family, our neighbors, to the needs of others, to the body of Christ.
Service
John 13:15 - "For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. "