What is discipleship? V. Growing by Experiencing
“But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.”
Luke 5:16 NRSV
Traditional, spiritual practices or disciplines can include a myriad.
Some of the most often listed by the spiritual greats are as follows...
Prayer
Bible study/Inspirational reading
Fasting
Worship
Fellowship
Stewardship/Generosity
Confession
Gratitude
Worship/Celebration
Rest/Sabbath
Service
Disciple-Making
Chastity
Journaling
Retreat
Spiritual Direction
Holy Communion
The Means of Grace
And even...
Taking a walk in the woods
Enjoying God's creation
Taking a run in the country
Exercising to worship songs
But more than disciplines to keep or practice to check off, they are experiences waiting to beheld. We weren't created to go through the motions or perform for God. God wants to meet us in each of the above and in our every day. We were meant to experience all of life. And true life, is always in God. More than just using the disciplines to learn more about God, they are meant first and foremost to facilitate our experiencing of God.
A key mentor in my life, Dr. Robert Mulholland, wrote a book that explained which practices would be best utilized per our own respective personalities. The practices that best connect with introverts. And the practices that best connect with extroverts. All based on the Meier's-Briggs, it gave me permission to explore each of the above, find my joy and not feel like I had to do everything every day, but to hone in on each day's particular invitation.
For most, our daily sustenance rests in a core subset depending on how God made us. Each allow us entree into a different facet of God and God's character.
In some regular rhythm we can practice them all. None of us are exempt from their benefits. All of God is always available to all.
When we put together a plan, as the ancients called it a rule of life, i.e. we can concentrate on what works best for us to foster the life of Christ in us. And sometimes/often it involves letting go of the plan we think we should do and listening for where God wants to invite us into His mystery and wonder.
Is my plan coming from my head, what I think I should do, what sounds good? Or is it coming from the inner prompting of the Spirit, a stirring from within?
The Ignatian Method since the 15th century, teaches a practice called "The Application of the Senses" whereby when we engage in the Bible stories (not necessarily Bible study…more imaginative prayer. Praying with scripture.) we immerse ourselves in the story. Which character best represents where we are now in our own life situation? What are the characters dealing with as they encounter the Christ? And where do we best see our self in it?
As we experience God we grow.
Jesus practiced the disciplines too to fellowship with God. Jesus practices the disciples too in his fellowship with God.
Study...
“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Luke 2:46 NRSV
Sitting still, listening, asking questions…Jesus got curious and engaged with his whole body, mind and spirit. He came with humility not arrogance. How is Jesus’ example inviting you, perhaps challenging you, to approach scripture?
Service...
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” John 13:3-5 NRSV
Jesus’ service flowed out of his relationship with the Father and the “knowing” that grounded his whole life. Are there acts of service naturally flowing out of your life based on your relationship with God and the knowing of how much He loves you? Don’t just think of more things you can do…What is the service that is waiting to grow up out of the soil of your daily spiritual life?
Worship and spiritual walking...
“At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.” John 10:22-23 NRSV
Jesus was drawn to spiritual places. Are there spiritual places tugging at your heart? Can you begin to listen with your soul for this? What sacred place is God inviting you to come meet with Him…in nature, church, a quiet table at a coffee shop? Will you get up and follow this spiritual nudge within?
Retreat and fasting...
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.” Matthew 4:1-2 NRSV
Jesus retreated often and for many reasons, The consistent thread, however, was that He did not think about what would be the most strategic or most spiritual move he could make in the moment. Jesus knew the art of being Led by the Spirit. How do you discern whether you are being Led by the Spirit? How might it feel different to follow Jesus into a retreat space versus being the one doing the leading?
Time in nature...
“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee..." Matthew 4:18 NRSV
Walking in faith sometimes means we have to just keep on walking even (or especially) when we don’t know where we are going …putting feet to the ground and honoring creation as our traveling companions and teachers. How do you experience God in nature? Why do you imagine this is true for you? Can you linger with God in this wondering?
The Means of Grace...
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.” Matthew 3:13 NRSV
“On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.” Matthew 26:17-19 NRSV
Sacred ritual is woven in and through Jesus’ life. In the first scripture Jesus traveled to where the means of grace would be administered to him. Jesus was prompted where to go and responded to God’s leading.
In the second scripture Jesus and his disciples crafted the space for the means of grace to take place.
In both scenarios sacred ritual is one that is fully experienced…body, mind and spirit. Jesus gave all of himself in the baptismal waters and in communion he demonstrated he was giving the all of himself on the cross. To engage in these means of grace we are invited to come in the same way…body, mind and spirit..,being fully attentive, giving our all to the experience.
Have you experienced a felt touch of God through a means of grace?
Do you feel led by the Spirit to put yourself in a position to receive this grace gift?
Are you willing to get up and go?
Like the disciples preparing the Passover meal, might God be directing you to co-create a space to receive this grace?
Spiritual direction...
““Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,” Luke 24:13-15 NRSV
Jesus had spiritual companions both in the spiritual realm and here on earth. Read the encounter known as the Transfiguration in Matthew 17.
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus provided spiritual direction for his disciples and for other followers who were hungry, curious and open to the longing of their own hearts. Throughout the Gospels Jesus most often didn’t give the people the answers they were looking for. He instead told a story or asked them a question that left them searching within for the deeper meaning. Notice how this didn’t stifle their spiritual seeking. In fact it kept them searching and traveling and listening. Their souls felt alive because they were connecting to a Truth that was unlike anything they ever heard or known. They were discovering a felt experience of God versus a God of rules and restrictions.
Questions for Reflection
Are you looking for answers or are you looking for an experience with God?
How does it feel to sit with the questions?
Are there companions willing to sit with you as you lean into the mystery of God within your own heart and soul?
In all the above, the disciplines and thus the experiencing of God flowed throughout Jesus’ life. And Jesus' life flowed along with the spiritual disciplines.
"It is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15 NRSV
They became natural, life-giving portals to the Divine, not just something we know we should do. Encountering God becomes the reward and what God will do in us, not thinking we are accomplishing something on our own for God.
Luke 5:16 NRSV
Traditional, spiritual practices or disciplines can include a myriad.
Some of the most often listed by the spiritual greats are as follows...
Prayer
Bible study/Inspirational reading
Fasting
Worship
Fellowship
Stewardship/Generosity
Confession
Gratitude
Worship/Celebration
Rest/Sabbath
Service
Disciple-Making
Chastity
Journaling
Retreat
Spiritual Direction
Holy Communion
The Means of Grace
And even...
Taking a walk in the woods
Enjoying God's creation
Taking a run in the country
Exercising to worship songs
But more than disciplines to keep or practice to check off, they are experiences waiting to beheld. We weren't created to go through the motions or perform for God. God wants to meet us in each of the above and in our every day. We were meant to experience all of life. And true life, is always in God. More than just using the disciplines to learn more about God, they are meant first and foremost to facilitate our experiencing of God.
A key mentor in my life, Dr. Robert Mulholland, wrote a book that explained which practices would be best utilized per our own respective personalities. The practices that best connect with introverts. And the practices that best connect with extroverts. All based on the Meier's-Briggs, it gave me permission to explore each of the above, find my joy and not feel like I had to do everything every day, but to hone in on each day's particular invitation.
For most, our daily sustenance rests in a core subset depending on how God made us. Each allow us entree into a different facet of God and God's character.
In some regular rhythm we can practice them all. None of us are exempt from their benefits. All of God is always available to all.
When we put together a plan, as the ancients called it a rule of life, i.e. we can concentrate on what works best for us to foster the life of Christ in us. And sometimes/often it involves letting go of the plan we think we should do and listening for where God wants to invite us into His mystery and wonder.
Is my plan coming from my head, what I think I should do, what sounds good? Or is it coming from the inner prompting of the Spirit, a stirring from within?
The Ignatian Method since the 15th century, teaches a practice called "The Application of the Senses" whereby when we engage in the Bible stories (not necessarily Bible study…more imaginative prayer. Praying with scripture.) we immerse ourselves in the story. Which character best represents where we are now in our own life situation? What are the characters dealing with as they encounter the Christ? And where do we best see our self in it?
As we experience God we grow.
Jesus practiced the disciplines too to fellowship with God. Jesus practices the disciples too in his fellowship with God.
Study...
“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Luke 2:46 NRSV
Sitting still, listening, asking questions…Jesus got curious and engaged with his whole body, mind and spirit. He came with humility not arrogance. How is Jesus’ example inviting you, perhaps challenging you, to approach scripture?
Service...
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” John 13:3-5 NRSV
Jesus’ service flowed out of his relationship with the Father and the “knowing” that grounded his whole life. Are there acts of service naturally flowing out of your life based on your relationship with God and the knowing of how much He loves you? Don’t just think of more things you can do…What is the service that is waiting to grow up out of the soil of your daily spiritual life?
Worship and spiritual walking...
“At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.” John 10:22-23 NRSV
Jesus was drawn to spiritual places. Are there spiritual places tugging at your heart? Can you begin to listen with your soul for this? What sacred place is God inviting you to come meet with Him…in nature, church, a quiet table at a coffee shop? Will you get up and follow this spiritual nudge within?
Retreat and fasting...
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.” Matthew 4:1-2 NRSV
Jesus retreated often and for many reasons, The consistent thread, however, was that He did not think about what would be the most strategic or most spiritual move he could make in the moment. Jesus knew the art of being Led by the Spirit. How do you discern whether you are being Led by the Spirit? How might it feel different to follow Jesus into a retreat space versus being the one doing the leading?
Time in nature...
“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee..." Matthew 4:18 NRSV
Walking in faith sometimes means we have to just keep on walking even (or especially) when we don’t know where we are going …putting feet to the ground and honoring creation as our traveling companions and teachers. How do you experience God in nature? Why do you imagine this is true for you? Can you linger with God in this wondering?
The Means of Grace...
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.” Matthew 3:13 NRSV
“On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.” Matthew 26:17-19 NRSV
Sacred ritual is woven in and through Jesus’ life. In the first scripture Jesus traveled to where the means of grace would be administered to him. Jesus was prompted where to go and responded to God’s leading.
In the second scripture Jesus and his disciples crafted the space for the means of grace to take place.
In both scenarios sacred ritual is one that is fully experienced…body, mind and spirit. Jesus gave all of himself in the baptismal waters and in communion he demonstrated he was giving the all of himself on the cross. To engage in these means of grace we are invited to come in the same way…body, mind and spirit..,being fully attentive, giving our all to the experience.
Have you experienced a felt touch of God through a means of grace?
Do you feel led by the Spirit to put yourself in a position to receive this grace gift?
Are you willing to get up and go?
Like the disciples preparing the Passover meal, might God be directing you to co-create a space to receive this grace?
Spiritual direction...
““Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,” Luke 24:13-15 NRSV
Jesus had spiritual companions both in the spiritual realm and here on earth. Read the encounter known as the Transfiguration in Matthew 17.
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus provided spiritual direction for his disciples and for other followers who were hungry, curious and open to the longing of their own hearts. Throughout the Gospels Jesus most often didn’t give the people the answers they were looking for. He instead told a story or asked them a question that left them searching within for the deeper meaning. Notice how this didn’t stifle their spiritual seeking. In fact it kept them searching and traveling and listening. Their souls felt alive because they were connecting to a Truth that was unlike anything they ever heard or known. They were discovering a felt experience of God versus a God of rules and restrictions.
Questions for Reflection
Are you looking for answers or are you looking for an experience with God?
How does it feel to sit with the questions?
Are there companions willing to sit with you as you lean into the mystery of God within your own heart and soul?
In all the above, the disciplines and thus the experiencing of God flowed throughout Jesus’ life. And Jesus' life flowed along with the spiritual disciplines.
"It is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15 NRSV
They became natural, life-giving portals to the Divine, not just something we know we should do. Encountering God becomes the reward and what God will do in us, not thinking we are accomplishing something on our own for God.
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