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OUr mISSIOn is to articulate a biblically saturated, Christcentered worldview that will encourage others to grow into the nature and fellowship of Christ and help them tell their spiritual stories. Our dialogue will be derived from Scripture study, classical wisdom and practice, art and other expressions, and conversations among a community of writers.

Thoughts on ev ange lica l spiritua l f o rm at io n

Centered

COnQUErInG THE FLESH nATUrE:

SIX SESSIOnS FOr GrOUPS Or InDIVIDUALS

For ever yone who yearns to know the Fathers deep delight

by Len Thompson

PUBLISHEr Urban Centre for Evangelical Spiritual Formati on

Printed in Canada by PageMaster Publication Services Inc.

EDITOr Dayna mazzuca Eric Thompson Julie Drew Julie is an Edmonton artist and graphic designer. You can view her work at www.shedrewit.com.
COVEr ArT LAYOUT

STrEnGTHEnInG SPIrITUAL rELATIOnSHIPS Copyright 2009, by Urban Center Publishers. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. no part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address Urban Center, 11525 23 Ave, Edmonton, AB. T6J 4T3.

Contents
IntroduCtIon 7 A PArABLe 13 ChAPter one A new Creation 15 reflection Questions: 24 ChAPter two Paul - A Man who experienced the Battle 31 reflection Questions: 43 ChAPter three The dark night of the soul 49 reflection Questions: 60 ChAPter 4 Blueprint of the heart 65 reflection Questions: 76 ChAPter 5 The Choice/will to obey83 reflection Questions: 93 ChAPter 6 A white Funeral 101 reflection Questions: 114 For Further reAdInG119 BIBLIoGrAPhy 123

IntroduCtIon
Knock knock. Whos there? In Tolkiens The Hobbit, Gandalf invites Bilbo Baggins on an adventure that I am arranging and its very difficult to find anyone.1 Gandalf, of course, is the Christ figure in the story and young Bilbo cant quite resist Gandalf s offer of his hearts deepest desire.. At first he declines, We dont want any adventures here, thank you.2 Bilbo goes on to tell the reader all about Gandalf s reputation for upsetting things quite badly in these parts.3 Hobbits, you see, are taught to love their creature comforts and the quiet life of the Shire even though their true nature loves adventure. Despite his Hobbit-like protests, Gandalf and his 12 dwarf friends talk Bilbo into joining them. To the end of his days, Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking stick and any money, or anything he usually took when he went out; leaving his second breakfast unfinished and quite unwashed up, pushing his keys into Gandalf s hands, and running as fast as his furry feet could carry him down the lane.4 In the end, Bilbo returns from his adventure with great treasures and a changed personality. He became all that a Hobbit could be and passed on this reclaimed love of adventure to his friend Frodo. When Christ says He stands at the door and knocks, part of the invitation is to join Him on the adventure of a lifetime. Adventure awaits us in the Christian life. Sadly, like Hobbits, most of us run from danger or disregard it. We fool ourselves into believing our own protected Shire will always remain comfortable. We
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Conquering the Flesh Nature

somehow believe that outside forces of evil will go away if we ignore them long enough. We close our eyes, shut our windows and ignore the knock at the door. As a result, we decline the invitation to move out of our comfort zones, and we do not change, or grow, or make a difference in anyones life, not even our own. Another option awaits. Eyes closed shut do not conquer evil forces; only courage will. We too can engage in a glorious adventure and emerge, like Bilbo, Frodo, and the members of his fellowship as kings and queens rather than comfort-loving halflings tied to the fortunes and calamities of the Shire. Like Tolkien, I am here to invite you on an adventure you think you dont want. This is exciting stuff! It will deal a deathblow to boredom and caution (or Tookishness if you are familiar with the Baggins family) because danger abounds. The rewards vastly outnumber the danger. And I believe you desire this adventure far more than you allow yourself to admit. Theres no use asking you straight up so Ill entice you with stories of others who gained a great deal from the venture. It takes Gandalf 24 pages to answer all of Frodos objections, so Ill tell you the stories of St Paul, Oswald Chambers and myself to slip past your defences and appeal to your deepest desires. Before you remind me, like Bilbo, that you like things just the way they are, let me send you on the adventure with a little push as Gandalf did to Bilbo. Go on. Treasures wait to be won. Waiting in the Shire only deadens your heart. In the end, all that matters is whether you embark on the adventure or not for yourself.

Conquering the Flesh Nature

how does thIs BooK worK? This book can be read in three ways: 1. It can be used as a study guide for individuals, small groups or pastors wanting to lead people through some of the steps of spiritual formation. 2. It can also be read as a text on the nature of spiritual formation. 3. Finally, it can be read as a source of healing and hope. It speaks to how spiritual maturity is closely linked to the quality of love we have for each other. It offers a practical approach to common problems in relationships. It speaks to the hope of hearing Jesus call us to our true home, into the family of God, and it directs us to companions along the way. Each chapter begins with a look at one aspect of Pauls adventure with transformation. We will attempt to understand the man behind the theology as much as work on the theological truths he wrote. Each chapter includes an historical illustration to show that these ideas have not been conceived, untested, in some ivory tower. I have chosen to stick with one historical figure in an attempt to drill as deep as possible to understand how these ideas can be worked out in reality. Ive chosen Oswald Chambers because his family has shared many journals and other personal information about his life and thought. Then in plain language the focus becomes one of application in a section called My Story. I have chosen to tell you my story because this battle is so personal and risky to share that I couldnt ask another person to go this deep if I didnt share my own story. You get to see how this works in real life, in an imperfect, vulnerable Canadian such as myself. Finally, each chapter closes with eight Reflection and Discussion Questions. Each question comes from specific
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Conquering the Flesh Nature

quotes in the chapter and encourages you to think on the material youve just read. Dont feel tied to these questions. The best discussions come from curiosity rather than from assignments. Feel free to make notes in this book. make it your own. This book represents the vision and mandate of the Institute for Evangelical Spiritual Formation in Edmonton, which is one arm of the Centre for Evangelical Spiritual Formation (also known as Urban Sanctuary). The Institute acts as a training centre for disciples of Christ, serving many denominations, churches and students. Thus, this book is intended not only for interest-level reading, but as an instructive text as well. Further Reading is encouraged in an Annotated Book List at the back of the book. This book is the third in a series of books on spiritual formation that will be available through the Institute for Evangelical Spiritual Formation in Edmonton and online. who wrote thIs BooK? This book is a collaborative effort. You, the reader, are invited to participate along the way, engage on a personal level and make the material your own. WrITEr - Len Thompson is a spiritual director and founder of Urban Sanctuary and the Centre for Evangelical Spiritual Formation based in Edmonton, Alberta. Len is the narrator and supplies the content of the book. As a teacher, former counsellor and pastor, he speaks from experience, his own training and study. Len brings a pastoral approach to the work, and has a heart to see Gods people walk in maturity and effectiveness. In fact, after attending Larry Crabbs School of Spiritual Formation, Len has given his life to the pursuit of the
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Conquering the Flesh Nature

disciplines of spiritual formation. It brings him and his wife, Joan, life. Let him know if this book sparks any new questions in your own life. EDITOr - Dayna Elizabeth mazzuca is a freelance editor and writer on the spiritual life. A long-time devotee to the Christian classics, her work has appeared in Faith Today, Christian Week, City Light News, the Globe and Mail, the Edmonton Journal, the Victoria Times Colonist and newspapers across Canada. A mother of two young children, she is currently home schooling, writing historical short stories on the saints, and serving on the board of Alberta Pro-Life. Spiritually she is blessed to be an active part of the body of Christ on earth, the Church, and enjoys spending time with the God and Father who loves her just the way she is. GrOUP We worked through the material in this book with four different groups over a period of years. Their questions, reactions and experiences in trying to live out these concepts has brought numerous revisions of this material until it is in the form that you hold in your hand. These groups consisted of people in Edmonton, of many different ages and backgrounds. They gave us several evenings and invaluable feedback. We have incorporated many of their comments, and want to recognize their contribution, sensitivity and time. Thank you. The prayer of those who have poured into the content of this book is that it will be a blessing in your hands and not on your shelf . Peace

1 2 3 4

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. London: Unwin Books, 1966, pg 4. Op cit. Ibid., pg. 5. Ibid., pg. 28. 11

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