Core+ Devote Daily

​Value Statement: To be a community of people who devote ourselves daily to a dynamic growing personal relationship with Jesus. 

Ice-Breakers:

1. When the word “discipline” is used, do you have a positive or a negative reaction to the word?  (How would you describe the concept of “discipline?”)
2. What come to mind when you think of the spiritual disciplines?  (What are the current spiritual disciplines that you apply to your life on a regular basis?)
3. What is the difference between mainstream “good food” and food considered gourmet?  (How adventuresome are you in trying new foods and spices?)
4. Do you feel that you have already explored and applied all the spiritual disciplines that are available?  (There are mainstream spiritual disciplines; beyond that, there are spiritual disciplines that are outside the mainstream; such as meditation, specific fasting, writing and singing new songs, praying without the understanding, nature walks, etc.)

The Necessity of Spiritual Disciplines: In my experience, people who do not practice the spiritual disciplines in their personal life will struggle with stunted spiritual growth and maturity.  They are the spiritual babies that the writer of Hebrews eludes to in Hebrews, chapter 5. 

• What are some of the symptoms associated with spiritual immaturity?  What are some of the root causes of spiritual immaturity?
• 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• “Do your best” is translated from the Greek word “spoudazō” (pronounced spoo-dod'-zo)  Spoudazo means to make a diligent effort.  In context this means that the fully devoted follower of Jesus is making a diligent effort. 
• In terms of our spiritual life, what are some of the “where, how, what and why” to making a diligent effort to present ourselves as approved before God?

A disciplined life: Unless a person is unusually gifted it will take regular discipline to become a master in any particular skill.  This is true whether it is a physical, mental, relational or spiritual pursuit.  (It is estimated that a person needs to put in about 10,000 disciplined hours of study and application to master a skill)  This is also an important factor in being successful.  According to author Alan Loy Mcginnis, the keys to success look like this:

1. Do something that you have a passion to do.  (Pursue something that you love)
2. Learn how to do it better than anyone else.  (Master the discipline)
3. Do it over and over again.  (Repeatedly doing something that you are skilled at doing will build a great reputation)

Take a moment and apply the keys to success to your own life.  Are you pursuing something that you either love or are called to do?  Have you mastered a discipline?  Are you building a great reputation by doing what you are skilled at?


The Spiritual Disciplines: The call to “make a diligent effort” to “be” a fully devoted follower of Christ will require spiritual discipline. 

1. Bible Study.  This includes studying, reading, listening, memorizing and meditating on God’s Word.  (Why is this necessary?)
2. Prayer.  The Bible tells us to pray always; and about everything.  (Why is prayer necessary?)
3. Worship. This includes singing, dancing, artistic expressions, playing of instruments, writing songs, writing poetry, etc.  (Why is worship necessary?)
4. Fasting.  This is a method by which we intentionally crucify the flesh.  (So, why fast?)
5. Reading.  This would be reading Apologetics, Church History, Commentaries and other books that deepen our spiritual understanding.  (Why is reading helpful?)
6. Fellowship.  We are to be like iron that sharpens iron.  (Why do you think fellowship is helpful?)

Wrap-up: How old were you before you were able to feed yourself?  It would be a tragedy for a normal person to be 35 years old and still be unable to feed themselves.  Permanent babyhood among Church goers has become more the norm than the exception.  Why is this a problem?    Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What spiritual disciplines am I applying on a regular basis?
2. What would need to change in my life in order for me to become a spiritual leader in my home, among my friends and in my church?
3. Do you feel that you have grown spiritually in the last year?  (What has changed?)
4. In terms of your Bible knowledge; are you happy with your status quo or are you wanting to know more?

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

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