Stop Trying - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Stop Trying. Take time to continue studying, considering, and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

Do you try to live a life pleasing to the Lord or do you train to live a life pleasing to the Lord? Why is it often easier to try as opposed to training?

How much effort do you put toward training to be Godly?

Think through the events and activities of your day. What is it that you train for in life?

Describe a time when you trained to reach a specific goal. Can you think of a time when you did not reach a goal because of a lack of training?

Is holiness an option for Christians? Why or why not?

What does 1 Peter 1:15-16 tell us about being holy?

Read Matthew 11:29 and Luke 9:23. What can we learn about discipline and training from these two passages?

Read 2 Peter 1:5-9. Within this passage we see a progression of development in our pursuit of Godliness. What role does training ourselves in Spiritual Disciplines have within this process?

In the study guide for his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney writes that…

Three things, when understood, will help you persevere in the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines: the role of the Holy Spirit, the role of fellowship, and the role of struggle in Christian living.

Consider these three things mentioned by Donald Whitney. How do they help one persevere in the practice of Spiritual Disciplines?

Think of someone whom you know who actively practices Spiritual Disciplines. How has their willingness to train to be Godly impacted their life?

Read Matthew 4:2; Luke 2:46-47; John 13:2-6, 17:4. What does each of these verses say about Jesus and His pursuit of Spiritual Disciplines?

How does the goal of Godliness impact your willingness to train in the Spiritual Disciplines?

What practical steps are you willing to take this week to stop trying and to begin training?

It's Just Easier - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled It's Just Easier. Take time to continue studying, considering and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.


Are you a disciplined person? Do you make the Spiritual Disciplines a part of your daily life? On a scale of 1-10, how disciplined are you?

What are some excuses we tend to use as to why we don’t practice the spiritual disciplines or live a disciplined life?

Read and review the following verses that discuss the importance of discipline and training. What truths do you learn from these verses?

            Galatians 6:7-10

            James 1:22-25

            1 Timothy 4:7

            Titus 2:11-12

            2 Timothy 3:14-17

            Mark 1:35-39

            1 Corinthians 9:23-27

            2 Timothy 4:7-8

2 Timothy 2:1-5

           

Are there any dangers in practicing spiritual disciplines? If so, what are they? How can we avoid these dangers?

It’s been said that…

            Discipline is denying the lesser to gain the greater.

What is the lesser we are denying and what is the greater we are gaining when we are practicing spiritual disciplines?

Consider and comment on the following quote…

            One can achieve discipline and bypass God altogether!

What is the difference between disciplined-living and holy living? Do these two ways of living go hand-in-hand? Do you believe that you can have one way of living without the other?

Read the following passages to discover that growth in holiness is a gift from God.

            John 17:17

            1 Thessalonians 5:23

            Hebrews 2:11

If our growth in holiness is a gift from God then what role does disciplined living play in the process, if any?

According to 1 Timothy 4:7, what is the reason why we should train and discipline our lives? How does having a purpose or goal help you to be more disciplined?

Are there areas in your life, other than the spiritual disciplines, where a lack of discipline is proving to be detrimental? Consider some of the following areas and determine if a more disciplined approach needs to be taken. What effect does a lack of discipline in these various areas have on your spiritual journey with Jesus or vice-versa?

            Work

            Money

            Food

            Relationships

            Learning

            Speech

            Entertainment

            Thoughts and Emotions

            Schedule

Take time to develop a plan for practicing the spiritual disciplines. What does this plan look like in your daily life? What steps will you take to make this a reality?

Key Elements - Further Study Questions.

This past Sunday's lesson was titled Key Elements for Spiritual Awakening. Take time to continue studying, considering and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.

On Sunday we reviewed three activities Jesus was engaged in that helped Him stay spiritually focused. Name all three.

            1)

            2)

            3)

 

Which of the three areas do you currently find the most challenging?  Why?

What does it mean to go “public” with your faith?  After baptism, how can you go “public” with your faith?

Reflect: Think of individuals you’ve known from the past who had a dynamic reputation for God with their peers. What made their life so dynamic? What were their personal habits?

Jesus was tempted in three different ways in Matthew 4:1-11. What are the areas the devil attempts to get you to stumble into sin?

Read I Corinthians 10:13 and think how God may help you in during times of temptation.

Identify your 4 key roles you play as a person. With each role write down one prayer request that God can help you with in 2012.

            Role 1)

            Role 2)

 

            Role 3)

            Role 4)

Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What was it that motivated Jesus to stay focused at the task at hand? What is the task that God has asked you to do in 2012? Does it bring you joy? Will He reward you if you perform well in that role?