SMALL GROUP GUIDE

The Spiritual Disciplines

WEEK 11: Review
 We’re defining the spiritual disciplines as:
a. Parts of the Christian life that allow us to better enjoy, experience and glorify our God.
1. MEDITATION:
1. Why do I need to meditate?
a. God speaks in a still, small voice (1 kings 19:9-18)
b. He is always trying to tell us something, meditating is making a point to listen.
c. It’s how we have an intimate relationship with God.
i. Exodus 33:11 –God spoke to Moses, “Face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”
i. God still speaks intimately & quietly through the Holy Spirit today.
2. Eastern v Christian Meditation:
i. Luke 11:24-26
3. We avoid Meditation:
1. People have always wanted someone else to talk to God for them
a. Moses, Prophets, kings, today = pastors
2. Interior Life vs. Exterior Life
 Not enjoying being alone
 This is so difficult for you, have a hard time reading the Bible
 Culturally we’re not trained to handle calm or silence or aloneness, but that’s where God wants to
meet us!!
4. What should I meditate on?
a. On Creation (Psalms 19:1 –bugs)
b. On Scripture
i. Personalizing & Internalizing/applying, NOT study: analyzing
ii. Spend time on it, NO rushing
2. FASTING:
b. What is fasting?
i. Denying myself of something I want/need and spending that freed up time with God.
ii. Literally taking my attention off of myself and directing it to God.
c. What are reasons people fast?
i. To triumph over temptation/sin. (Matt 4:1-4)
1. Jesus Fasts while Satan tempts Him.
ii. To stay focused on God when facing a great challenge or obstacle (like divorce, death, illness, depression, etc).
1. David fasted when his baby was dying. (2 Sam 12:13-24) Turn in your bibles.
iii. When we want God’s direction in life, or in our decisions. (Acts 13:1-3)
iv. To humble ourselves when we become prideful. (Ps. 35:13)
d. How should I fast?
i. Absolute Fast – No food no water
ii. Partial Fast – A meal a day or a thing (like coffee, video games, etc).
iii. Regular Fast – Drink water, but no food.
iv. Corporate Fasts
1. Read these verses as a group & evaluate the things that may have mastery over you:
(Verses are on the back of this sheet)
 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Peter 2:11
3. PRAYER:
e. What is prayer?
i. Continual interaction with God.
ii. Our role in spiritual warfare. (Colossians 4:12); (Ephesians 6:10-18)
iii. Work. – like a sport – not always in the mood, but to grow, we have to do it when not in the mood.
f. Why pray if God already knows everything?
i. Prayer = power
1. We CAN change what happens. The universe is NOT stuck.
a. Example: In Exodus 32, God was going to destroy the Israelites for their sin. Moses repented and
pleaded for them and God relented. Moses’ prayer changed the outcome.
ii. God gives us HUGE authority and privilege in prayer.

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 a. God chooses to use us to save our friends, even through our prayers. (Jude 1:23)
b. He considers us ‘co-laborers’ with Him, not mindless robots. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
g. How should I pray?
i. Like Jesus said to. (Matt 6:5-15)
1. Acknowledge God’s awesomeness
2. Pray for ‘us,’ not just ‘me’
3. Pray simply & sincerely –not babbling or for other people to be impressed.
4. Flash prayers – for people as you go throughout your day
5. Keep a prayer journal to help pay attention when God answers prayers.
ii. Can we pray wrong? Yes. (James 4:3)
1. Like a kid asking to play in the street, what we want is not always what God the Father wants for us.
2. We pray wrongly when our desires are not in line with God’s desires.
h. How important is prayer?
i. More important than doing stuff. (Acts 6:1-4)
1. Praying means inviting God into our daily lives. If we don’t have time to pray, then we don’t have time to let
Jesus into our lives. Period.
4. STUDY:
i. What is study?
i. Generally, study enables the mind to move in a certain direction.
ii. Totally different than lame ‘school’ studying because you know the author and want to hear what they say.
iii. Different than meditation (though they overlap) – Meditation = relationally listening applying
iv. It’s NOT gaining knowledge so you can flaunt it.
v. Work. – like a sport – not always in the mood, but to grow we’ve got to do it regardless of mood. (2 Peter 3:15-17)
vi. We can study:
1. The Bible, Ourselves, Whatever is pure, lovely, etc (Philippians 4:18)
j. Why should I study?
i. Because God uses it to transform us to His likeness (Romans 12:2)
ii. It’s absolutely essential if we want to have any impact for Jesus on the people around us. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
k. How should I study?
i. Repetition
1. Even if you don’t fully grasp it, God can use what you memorize to change you & get a hold of you 
ii. Concentration
1. We suck at it, especially for long amounts of time, but this is important as Christians.
iii. Comprehension
1. Understanding first the Objective meaning, then the Subjective (what it means for us).
iv. Reflection
1. Self-evaluation in relation to what you read & prayerfully planning an application strategy.
2. Read these verses on the back of this sheet: Jude 1:23, 1 Peter 3:15-16. Have you ever viewed reading the bible as
‘training’ so you can share the love of God with friends? What can you do to keep this in mind & motivate you to
read more throughout the week?
5. Simplicity
 Jesus declared war on materialism
 The balance between being a materialist & an asceticist.. asceticism , The difference between ascetism & simplicity
Simplicity = freedom from anxiety is the reward/result when lived out
What it looks like: a joyful unconcern for possessions
The lie: I need ‘x’ and my worries will be over, or, I’ll be happy, or popular.
The truth: ‘stuff/riches’ pretend to offer security against anxiety, & in the end they become the object of anxiety.
Ex. New clothes getting dirty/car getting dented, adding accessories, etc
Duplicity = complicated/two-masters/unfaithful
Two Parts: Inner reality, outer reality
Inner –***Seek first the kingdom of God… before you try to do anything!
 It’s about priority & perspective, never rules. –if we can grasp three inner attitudes, we can receive the freedom from anxiety that
God wants to give us through simplicity:
1. Receive what we have as a gift from God.
i. Be grateful & Remember God is in control, not me.
2. Know that it’s God’s business to care for what we have, not ours.
1. Stuff you need/Reputation/Relationships
3. TO have our goods available to others
1. *This attitude reminds us that God is our loving Father, we’re free to share because we know that he will care for us.
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Outward –don’t be legalistic –not laws, just tips/advice on how to practice simplicity.
2. Buy things for usefulness, not status.
3. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes, and impress them with your life.
i. Guys have a term for ‘new-clothes-wearing’ wimps –TOOL.
4. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
i. Learn to distinguish between a real need: positive surroundings, & an unhealthy addiction: television/games for
some people. – sell stuff/give it away
ii. An addiction is something that is beyond your control. Watch for undisciplined compulsions.
5. Develop a habit of giving things away.
i. It seems sucky, but it’s SO awesome!
6. Develop deep appreciation for creation.
i. Come back to having an awe for your surroundings
7. Speak plainly and honestly.
i. Culturally we beat around the bush & flatter before minimizing the truth
6. SERVICE:
l. Why?
i. Because Jesus did, & tells us to. (John 13:14-15)
m. Understanding Service:
i. Through his service, Jesus completely redefined authority and rearranged what leadership looks like. (Matt 20:25-28)
ii. True service is totally at odds with our culture (people vs. tasks)
n. Self-Righteous Service VS. True Service:
i. Self-righteous service: COMES THROUGH HUMAN EFFORT
1. True Service: IS PROMTED FROM DIVINE URGINGS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
ii. Self-righteous service: ONLY ENJOYS HELPING WITH MASSIVE, FLASHY & PUBLIC FORMS OF SERVICE.
1. True Service: INDISCRIMINATELY WELCOMS ALL OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AS VALUABLE.
iii. Self-righteous service: REQUIRES EXTERNAL REWARDS
1. True Service: RESTS CONTENDED WITH HIDDENNESS
iv. Self-righteous service: FEELS ENTITLED TO RESULTS LIKE COMPLIMENTS AND AFFIRMATION
1. True Service: DELIGHTS ONLY IN THE SERVICE
v. Self-righteous service: PICKS & CHOOSES WHOM TO SERVE
1. True Service: BECOMES THE SERVANT OF ALL, INDISCRIMINATELY
vi. Self-righteous service: IS AFFECTED BY MOOD & WHIM
1. True Service: DISCIPLINES THE FEELINGS RATHER THAN ALLOWING THEM TO CONTROL SERVICE
vii. Self-righteous service: IS TEMPORARY
1. True Service: IS A LIFESTYLE
viii. Self-righteous service: BECOMES INSENSITIVE & DESTRUCTIVE
1. True Service: CAN WITHHOLD AND WAIT
ix. Self-righteous service: BRINGS ATTENTION BACK TO THE INDIVIDUAL & FRACTURES COMMUNITY
1. True Service: BUILDS COMMUNITY
o. What if I get walked on?
i. Choosing to serve vs. choosing to be a servant
p. What Service Does:
i. In You:
1. Humility
2. Disciplines & transforms the desires of the flesh
3. The greatest joy paradox
4. Closeness with God
q. Practical ways to serve:
i. Guard the reputations of those around you.
ii. Train yourself away from slander
iii. Allow others to serve you
iv. Take the extra time to show common courtesy
1. Value vs. using someone
v. Listening
vi. Sharing the Word of God
3. Have you ever wanted to help some with pure motives, but in the end somehow you ruined it by focusing too
much on their response, or becoming too proud of yourself? Talk about why this happens and what you can do to
get good @ true service.

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 4. Do you understand how choosing to serve people more would actually make you more self-disciplined when it
comes to avoiding sin? Talk about it with your group.
5. Have you ever known someone that did all the right stuff, but just made you feel used and devalued as a friend?
Discuss the difference between service that fractures community, & service that builds it.
7. SUBMISSION:
r. What is submission?
i. Bigger than service, it’s the motivation behind service.
ii. Has less to do with tasks of service and more to do with the way we view other people & our inner attitude:
1. 1 Peter 2:18
2. Colossians 3:20-22
a. He doesn’t have to tell them to obey, they already will, he’s talking about the spirit behind it.
b. Inner attitude of REBELLION or LOVE
iii. Waaaaay hard, probably never in the mood, but it’s necessary.
s. What it does:
i. Submission is the primary discipline through which God frees us from always needing to get what we want.
a. Think about it: Have you ever met someone that’s only happy when they get what they want?
i. It’s ugly!
ii. WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE FREED FROM GETTING WHAT I WANT?!!
1. Another paradox:
a. True freedom comes when you give up your rights.
i. Matthew 10:39, 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
2. SELF-ACTUALIZATION V. SELF-DENIAL… THE CHOICE.
a. The lie: If you deny yourself/submit & don’t defend yourself, or prove yourself, you become a chump; walked
on, lose your identity… NOT TRUE.
b. The truth: You form and prove the most legit identity when you deny yourself – revealing amazing character.
 WHO TO SUBMIT TO: 1 peter 2:13-14
c. GOD (HOLY SPIRIT)
d. SCRIPTURE
e. FAMILY
i. LISTEN – Don’t shut down or get pre-occupied with your own stuff, spend time with them!
ii. SHARE – Who you are, how you’re feeling, how your day was, etc.
f. BELIEVING COMMUNITY
i. Submitting to the accountability of peers & leaders, whether they approach you correctly or wrongly.
g. THE BROKEN/THE WORLD
1. Have you ever wanted to submit to someone (a parent, a friend, a teacher), because you know that they were right, or that
submitting was the right thing to do, but for some reason you wouldn’t back down? Talk about why you think this happens,
and what you can do to prevent it.
2. What relationship or situation has been the most difficult for you to submit to? Why do you think?
3. The alternative to submission is self-actualization, why does it make more sense to choose submission as our lifestyle?
8. CELEBRATION:
t. What is celebration?
i. Def: To praise something (Ie. birthday party) / Joy: great happiness
ii. One of the major parts of Christianity: Glorify God & enjoy Him forever (Westminster Catechism of Faith)
1. It’s what Jesus came to give us (John 15:11)
2. Year of Jubilee – Jesus started his public ministry in the Year of Jubilee
a. Year of Jubilee came every 49 years:
i. Cancel all debts, Release all slaves, Plant no crops
ii. Year long celebration of the gracious provision of God.
b. The point: People in the OT directly linked Christianity with celebration, we’ve lost touch.
i. Christianity today is more characterized by melancholy, solemnity
1. -It’s about religious tasks & drudgery.
iii. Celebration = The end result of every discipline
u. What evokes our celebration? –Experiencing the fulfillment of a life lived God’s way:
i. Freedom from materialism, possessions & drama
ii. Freedom from anxiety
1. We can cast all our cares on Him
v. What Celebration Does
1. It brings joy & joy makes us strong (Neh. 8:10)
a. Women & Childbirth

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 i. Knowing joy is coming gives strength to endure.
b. Without joy, the disciplines become dull, death-bringing tool that make us Pharisees.
w. Actually experiencing joy through the disciplines
i. So if Celebration is joy & it comes from freedoms God gives us, how do we get there?
ii. We’ve seen by now that all these freedoms or promises come when you choose to live life God’s way.
a. Genuine Christ-centered joy cannot be experienced without OBEDIENCE. (Luke 11:27-28)
2. Obedience
a. Obeying Parents options:
i. Legit, LIVE how your parents want = obedience, joy & consistent freedom
ii. Manipulate – DO what parents want only when they’re looking to get stuff –
temporary, cheap, no joy.
b. True no matter who you are, reality – immutable law, not just Christian opinion.
i. It’s why premarital sex will always have negative effects & waiting will not.
ii. It’s why partying will never make you happy like it should, but real Christian
relationships can.
c. Without obedience Joy is hollow & artificial – pretend
3. 2 Options
a. Learn > Obey > Grow > Blessings > Celebrate > Joy > Enjoy God
b. Learn > Ignore > Stagnate > Hardship > Fake > Empty > Blame God
4. Have you ever met a Christian who was ‘fake happy’ all the time? Describe their behavior.
5. Evaluate your own relationship with God, would you describe it as celebratory or more solemn? Why is that?
6. Obedience is a huge part of Celebration, as weird as that sounds. It’s easy to talk about, hard to do.. what can you
do to make you better at obeying God?
9. GUIDANCE:
a. What we want to hear:
i. Guidance by: Bible/pray/Reason/Circumstances/Promptings of Spirit/Sermons/Older wiser Christians
1. How to get your own individually packaged life-plan told to you in an audible voice
2. IDEAL: a summary of highlights, then my next immediate move w/ a few reminders
ii. Or better yet… a Pillar of Fire, then you just follow it around.
1. Exodus 13:17-18, 20-22 (Pillar of Fire for Israel) Why doesn’t God do that for me?
a. Exodus 20:18-21 –The people ask God to go through Moses instead of direct
i. –it’s cause we asked Him not to.
b. The reality: Decide if you truly want God’s guidance
i. Knowing the future (entertainment) vs. being better prepared to obey God FOR HIM, NOT FOR YOU.
1. Right approach: What does God want to accomplish, and how does he want me involved?
2. Wrong approach: When’s God going to show me what I get out of life?
c. Understanding Corporate Guidance
i. Imagine if the pillar of fire thing happened today.
1. It happened as a group… NCC—not your own
a. Same for everybody – follow it, can’t go do your own thing!
ii. Truly seeking Guidance means surrendering your goals to God’s if need be.
d. CORPORATE GUIDANCE: How’s it apply to you?
i. BIG PICTURE CORPORATE GUIDANCE IS NOT ABOUT YOU!
1. Ask the question: What does God want to accomplish through the groups of people I’m in?
a. YOUR FAMILY d. Small group
b. Christian group of e. Our youth group
friends f. Our whole church
a. No one can hear the whole counsel of God in islolation – God made us interdependent as the
church – literally the body of Christ.
b. A primary way God can instruct the individual is through the group experience… the body of
Christ.
i. Acts 13:1-3 -Example of a group praying & fasting with the goal of discerning God’s
will for the group of them.
10.WORSHIP:
e. Defined: To show adoration for; a deep love, or respect.
f. In our culture: Idolization instead of God-worship
i. Our culture idolizes:
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 1. People: Ourselves & our appetites, Movie stars, Sports figures, the incredibly wealthy, attractive, and
those with dangerous jobs
2. Possessions: Money, cars, houses, boats, toys, etc.
ii. What does God say? Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 42:17
g. Worshiping God is:
i. A Response of GRATITUDE & AWE (Hebrews 12:28-29) for:
1. Who He is:
a. Jeremiah 10:10 (He’s eternal)
b. 1 John 4:16 (He is love)
2. What He’s Done:
a. 1 John 4:10 (offered us salvation)
b. Rev. 4:8 (Created magnificent beings)
c. Job 38:4-5 (Created everything we know)
ii. A Sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)
h. In order to worship God fully we must:
i. Be at peace with those around us (Matthew 5:23-24)
ii. Make it about loving God from our hearts, not just going through the motions.
1. Mark 12:30; Matthew 15:8-9
i. The bottom line: The goal of Christian worship is to enjoy and proclaiming the awesomeness of God. Our job is to make
everything we do, say and think about accomplishing these.
7. If you were with us, talk briefly about how you did with the goals you made last week (on Guidance).
8. Read Colossians 3:16. Okay be honest, is it weird that singing is part of worshipping God? Talk about what it would feel like to
have people write songs to you. Now does it make sense?
9. Read Isaiah 42:17 & Romans 1:25-26 & discuss what makes idolization (or worshipping things that aren’t God) bad.
10. For us, it’s called pride/sin when we want to glorify or worship ourselves. Why is it okay for God to get glory and not us?
a. Read Romans 5:8 & Matthew 5:48b for insight.
11. Read Romans 12:1. Talk about what it means to worship God in a way that involves sacrifice.