Much More Fruitful • John 152€¦ · Web view(Due to font differences, pagination in this Word version of the curriculum will not match the printed copies in your binder.) Introduction

“Learning from the Masters”“Insights from Letters of Spiritual Direction”

ALAN FADLING

(Due to font differences, pagination in this Word version of the curriculum will not match the printed copies in your binder.)

Introduction

Isaiah 50:4 (NIV), “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”

Insights We Gain From the Tradition of Spiritual Direction

Be loved by God and love Him back.

1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”

“Go bankrupt! Let our Lord love you without justice! Say frankly, 'He loves me because I do not deserve it; that is the wonderful thing about Him; and that is why I, in my turn, love Him as well as I can without worrying whether I deserve to be allowed to love Him. He loves me although I am not worthy; I love Him without being worthy to love.'” (Abbé Henri de Tourville. Letters of Direction. Harrisburg: Morehouse Publishing, p. 63.)

“God have you in His holy keeping, my very dear child. Just place yourself in the arms of our dear Lord, and ever remember that His great Heart is throbbing for love of you, responding to every cry of your heart, even though for your own good He does not now tell you so. Is not the love of God for us so great that if we knew it, we could not endure its burning furnace?” (Hughson, Shirley Carter. The Spiritual Letters of Shirley Carter Hughson. West Park, NY: Holy Cross Press, 1953, p. 6.)

Pay attention to God’s present .

2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

©2006 Alan Fadling. Please do not reproduce without permission. The Journey • Retreat One Page 1

“A soul can be truly nourished, strengthened, purified, enriched and sanctified only by the divine plenitude of the present moment. What more do you want? Since all that is good is here, why seek it elsewhere? Do you know better than God?” (Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence. Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1959, p. 13)“The whole essence of the spiritual life consists in recognizing the designs of God for us at the present moment.” (de Caussade, p. 9)“[Jane de Chantal] No matter what happens, be gentle and patient with yourself. Once in a while, if you feel particularly weak, without courage, without confidence, force yourself to make affirmations which are the opposite of your feelings. Say with conviction: “My Savior, my All, despite my feelings of misery and distrust, I place all my confidence in You; You are strength for the weak, refuge for the miserable, wealth for the poor; You are indeed my Savior who has always loved sinners.’ But, dearest, say these or similar words resolutely, without self-pity or tears; then turn your attention to something else.” (Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal. Letters of Spiritual Direction. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1988, p. 232)

Get beyond appearance management to the inner person—the place of spiritual reality.

1 Samuel 16:6-7, “When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD.’ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

“When shall I begin to be honest with myself, and cease to put on false appearances for the benefit of others, and even in order to fool myself? When shall I be content to be nothing, in my own eyes, and in the sight of others, instead of bolstering up my own self-respect and posturing as someone of importance? When shall I find that God is sufficient for me?” (Jacques-Benigne Bossuet. Letters of Spiritual Direction. Trans. by Geoffrey Webb and Adrian Walker. London: The St. Austin Press, 1958, p. 39.)

“It is only self-love that grows weary and despondent in doing nothing, seeing nothing and understanding nothing. Yet let self-love grumble to its heart’s content. Its very weariness and despondency will rid us of it in the


end. By cutting it short of food, we shall make it die of hunger–a death to be desired indeed! With all my heart I long for it in your case as I long for it in mine.” (de Caussade, p. 249)

We learn to pray…by .

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “…pray continually”

“…the only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. If one has no time for this, then one must at least pray regularly. But the less one prays, the worse it goes. And if circumstances do not permit even regularity, then one must put up with the fact that when one does try to pray, one can’t pray—and our prayer will probably consist of telling this to God.” (Dom John Chapman. The Spiritual Letters. London: Sheed & Ward Ltd., 1935, 1969, p. 53.)

“Only don’t read any books you don’t like; it is always bad for the soul to read uninteresting spirituality.” (Chapman, p. 235.)

We see the outer journey as always a fruit of the inner journey.

John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

“This Church of ours is not lacking in activity for good, but what a woeful lack of prayer there is; and, as a consequence, how thin is the life of the Church. The human element is magnified; the divine element is neglected. The Church lacks power in the world because it fails in its work of prayer. Prayer is intercourse with God, association with Him personally and lovingly. We are eager enough to do His work, but we are slow to go to Him for the power with which to work.” (Hughson, p. 70.)

“We need now to consider the practical side of this question. A priest has some difficulties peculiarly his own, in this matter of obtaining time for


private prayer. In the first place, he has very often an extremely varied life with no two days alike, so that it is hard for him to establish that routine which is such a help in prayer. Again, he is subject to a certain psychological revulsion from prayer, due to the number of services at which he is called upon to officiate. This revulsion is not deep, but just sufficient to make it more difficult to start on private prayer. Thirdly, he is specially open to the disastrous misuse of the proverb that to work is to pray, for his work is in a special sense spiritual work, and the argument that it must be done before he turns to his own spiritual life is very specious.” (Morgan, Edmund R. Reginald Somerset Ward: His Life and Letters. London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1963, p. 62-63.)

“It is not uncommon to give the worst of our time to God, and the best to His work.” (Morgan, Edmund R. Reginald Somerset Ward: His Life and Letters. London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1963, p. 63.)

Small Group Reflection

Move into small groups to interact about what might have been a word of grace from one of these godly men or women.



“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”REFLECTIONS FROM PSALM 23

PAUL JENSEN

Introduction

The kingdom of God–is God coming to His people and doing for them what they cannot do for themselves in order that He may establish His holy and loving purposes in all creation.

Shepherd imagery is kingdom and leadership imagery–Ps 78:71,72

Three Places to which the Shepherd Lord takes His sheep . . .

1. A Pasture (v. 1-3)

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake.

2. A Valley (v. 4)

Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil for you are with me.

©2004 Paul Jensen. Please Do Not Duplicate without Permission. The Journey • Retreat One Page 6

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

3. A House (v. 4-6)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Conclusion

The king of love my Shepherd is, his goodness fails never . . .

How is the Shepherd shepherding you?

How has the Shepherd been shepherding/preparing you throughout your life to become who you are today? How has the Shepherd been preparing you to extend his reign through you in the role(s) to which he has called you?

How has He been shepherding specific people in your place of ministry/work? How might he want to shepherd them? How is he shepherding structures for which you have responsibility?



Suggestions for Extended Personal Communion (EPC) with God

Thank you for your participation in the Journey. The purpose of the day is for you to enjoy extended personal communion with God (EPC). Here are suggestions for how to spend these hours with the Lord:

1. In your EPC, use whatever helps you spend time with God in a meaningful way. Examples could include worship songs from your culture or tradition, Bible, personal journal, lunch if you prefer not to fast, an instrument if you play one, worship CDs, appropriate clothing if you wish to spend time outdoors, a blanket or some kind of folding chair, etc.

2. The goal of your EPC should be to spend the time with the Lord in whatever way he knows that you need. Therefore, begin your time by identifying your expectations and agendas for the EPC. Release these to God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Lord may wish to bring you refreshment, challenge, encouragement, conviction, joy, grieving, play, etc. He may lead you to any or none of the above.

3. Let God lead you to an activity in which you will experience the fewest distractions (away from cell phones, tasks, assignments, etc.) so you can be attentive to the Lord and focus on what he might wish to say or do.

4. Use some of your time with God in silence–for the purpose of listening to what he may be saying or not saying. If he says nothing, remember it is OK just to be in his presence without communication. If you are an active personality, you may find that walking or hiking helps you to be attentive to God. Find whatever focuses you on him based on your temperament and personality.

5. The problem of distractions is universal. You will find that your mind will wander or race to many things other than God. Here are a couple of ways to deal with them: 1) let your mind wander to the “distraction” and offer it up to God--every distraction that comes to mind is important to him; and 2) resist each distraction and then return your attention to the Lord.

6. If you become drowsy, let God give you a nap. Is there not an analogy between a child falling asleep on her/his parent's lap and doing the same with God? Often, students wake up from their nap refreshed and able to be much more aware and attentive to God's voice.


7. Remember: "Prayer is companionship with God"–Clement of Alexandria. "Prayer is someone you are with, not something you do"–Chuck Miller.


A Rationale for this Rhythm

One rare but powerful item of discipline is the requirement that the recruit of [Christ's] company undertakes a personal experience of solitude at least once a month. This is patterned consciously on the experience of Christ who periodically went alone, even at the price of temporary separation from the needs of His fellows. The justification of aloneness is not that of refined self-indulgence, but rather a consequent enrichment of one's subsequent contribution. A person who is always available is not worth enough when he is available. Everyone engaged in public life will realize the extreme difficulty of getting away each month for a period of five or six hours, but the difficulty is not a good reason for rejecting the discipline. It is the men and women who find it hardest to get away who need the redemptive solitude most sorely. . . . A Christianity which understands itself will make ample provision for retreat houses in which such solitude is expected and protected.

At the very time when we are beginning to realize how formidable are the forces arrayed against Christianity in the modern world, an old yet new conception of the fellowship of those enlisted in Christ's cause is re-emerging. . . . Because the trouble we face is more serious than we ordinarily suppose, the solution of our problems will likewise lie along deeper lines than those to which we are accustomed.

—Elton Trueblood. The Company of the Committed. (New York: Harper & Row). 1961, p. 43, 44.



“Nurturing Healthy Relational Roots”JON BYRON

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1)

What might be some of the concerns pastors or laity have regarding their involvement in community? What are some of the excuses given for avoiding community?

Insights on Community from Creation (Gen. 2)

The man, Adam, was not created to be a solitary being.

How then does one fulfill God’s design?

There is a fundamental connection between the man and woman at creation.

©2002 Jon Byron. Please Do Not Duplicate without Permission. The Journey • Retreat One Page 13

Intimacy is realized in the openness the man and woman experience as they are “naked and not ashamed.”

The Gospel celebrates the restoration of intimacy.

How do I live out God’s design in my relationships?

Suggestions


“People who bore one another should meet seldom; people who interest one another, often.” (C. S. Lewis from The Four Loves, p. 116)

“Making Disciples:What is the Christian Life?”

CHUCK MILLER

This Journey...

Sometimes I feel the Christian life is...1. ________________, ________________, ________________________

2. a _____________ ________ ________ _________________________

3. a _____________ ______________ ... __________ ________________

4. a __________________________ _____________________________

5. a ___________________ ___________________ _________________

6. Causing me to become more of a _____________ _____________ than a __________________ ______________ ___________________.

How would you describe the ____________________ _______________ to yourself...to someone else...using Biblical text?

Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Mark 1:16-20, “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

John 1:12, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...”

Underline the words and phrase that describe _________________________.


The Christian Life is an ___________________ ____________________ of ______________ with Jesus Christ.

Therefore, when I talk about the Christian life, I don’t talk about ________ it is but _________ it is.

Christ’s ______________--“Come Unto Me” and "Come, Follow Me"--are the continual ______________ of godly lifestyle.

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL LEADERSHow would you describe the way of developing the Christian life to yourself? To someone else? Because the Christian Life is an _____________ ______________ of _________________ with Jesus Christ, how do I _______________ this relationship?Biblical Statements:John 15:7-11 “If you abide in me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

IMPLICATIONS:

John 15:12, 13, 15b “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

...Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

...I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my father I have made known to you.”

John 15:18-19, 26-27“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you. When the helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of me, and you will bear witness also, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

PRIORITY ONEProgressive ____________________ to ____________ ____________. This involves modeling the relationship of

PRIORITY TWOProgressive ____________________ to the ________ of ___________. This involves modeling the relationship of

PRIORITY THREEProgressive _______________ to the _______ of __________ in the _______. This involves modeling


the Father and the Son: through __________ __________ in such areas as Bible Study, prayer and worship.

the Father and the Son: by ________________ ____________ in my ________________________ and in the _____________________ of Christ.

the relationship of the Father and the Son: by going as a ____________ to fulfill the ______________________ and the _______________________________.

IMPLEMENTATIONS___________________ ___________________ ___________________

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL LEADERS

The Continual Propellant of the Christian life is…

Come to me...Matthew 11:28

Come follow me...Mark 1:17


PRIORITY TWOLOVING ONE

ANOTHER

PRIORITY ONEABIDING

JOHN 15:7

PRIORITY THREEBEARING WITNESS

JOHN 15:26-27

The propellant ignites these priorities in developing godly lifestyle.

Nourishing an ongoing relationship of intimacy with Jesus Christ throughout one’s life span occurs by developing the lifestyle of the ______________ _____________.

The Christian lifestyle is a series of _____________________ circles.One priority should _______________ the next priority. It is sequential.


Our Process for Today


Implications

BiblicalStatements


Living the Lifestyle of the Upper Room

The Christian life is a __________ and not a _____________.

The Christian life is an ongoing _____________________ of intimacy with Jesus Christ.

I tend and nourish this relationship with Christthrough the lifestyle of The Upper Room

(John 13-17)

When the relationship with Christ diminishes, the tasks often become

the center of my life excitement _________, overwhelming, all consuming my place of __________ my place of __________

The frequent outcome is the ________ rise, my _________ mount and my soul is starved.

Priority One – John 15:7Being in Communion with God

In abiding I sit at the _______________ with another – the living God.

God meets me there through an open ____________ and my seeking heart.

Here my identity is _____________________.


Implementations

LIVE ITS FIX ITS

Priority Two – John 15:12, 13Extending my communion with God

I extend my communion with God through being with the Body of Christ...The church.

Here my identity is ___________________, ________________ and ______________.

Priority Three – John 15:27Further extending my communion with God

I further extend my communion with God through doing the work of God in the world.

Here my identity is __________________ and I trust affirmed.


Come Unto Me – Matthew 11:28-30Come Follow Me – Mark 1:16-20

Understanding a Vehicle to Help Us in Our Abiding.

2PROAPTPRAY PREVIE

WREAD OBSERVE APPLY PRAY TELL

_______ Read the whole

_________

Read it _______

1. What does it

_______?2. What does it

_______?

3.How will this influenc

e my _______

& ________ today?

For God’s

_______ to

enable you to _______

the truth.

With whom will I

_______ this

that I might

refresh &

_______ them?

©2005 Barnabas, Inc. Please Do Not Duplicate without Permission. The Journey • Retreat One Page 21

Scripture—Exodus 2:23-3:12 (NIV)

23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

And Moses said, "Here I am."

5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [a] will worship God on this mountain."





Space, Time, & the Spirituality of the Postmodern Generations X & Y

PAUL JENSEN

Slowing & Rest

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you refused and said ‘No! We will flee upon horses therefore you shall flee! And, ‘We will ride upon swift steeds’ –therefore your pursuers shall be swift! A thousand shall flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you shall flee until you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill” (Is. 30:15-17).

This is written for a people facing exile far from the place where they had experienced God’s presence–the temple in Jerusalem. Their spirituality of dwelling to which they had been accustomed was a distant memory.

What do you sense God saying to you through this text about your pace of life?


Introduction

Space And Time And Its Collapse

Time is Money vs. Time is Love

Adapting Henri Nouwen’s Definitions of a Spiritual Discipline

“A spiritual discipline is the human effort to create of open space” and unhurried time “to listen to the voice of the one who calls us the beloved.”

“A spiritual discipline creates space for God to be active” or for us to notice where God is active.”

What are some implications of Nouwen’s definitions?

Extended Solitude and Silence in the Treatment of Addictions and Pathologies

Restrictive Environmental Stimulation Technique–R.E.S.T. –Peter Suedfeld

Extended Personal Communion (E.P.C.)


The Spirituality Of The Postmodern Generations In The Face Of The Collapse

Cultural Analysis

Significant disagreement over what postmodernity is and its implications for the church have emerged. I am using the term to refer to the major cultural shifts that have occurred in North America since the mid twentieth century (see Jonathan Campbell’s summary of these in The Collapse of Space and Time and the Spirituality of the Postmodern Generations p. 8). Generational studies are one way of looking at culture. Generations consist of an age cohort born in a span of 15-20 years.

• Generations boundaries are hard to define

Generations X

Generation Y (Millennials)

• Generations often defy characterization. Any one characteristic is true obviously for only part of that generation.

• Some generational characteristics change over time and so a profile of a Generation X in 1990 is less accurate in 2006.

• “Generational consciousness” and imprinting occurs in adolescence and early adulthood through an interaction of personal and national histories (See Don Miller and Richard Flory’s Gen X Religion 2000:233-234). Obviously, the younger the generation the less we can say about it.

• Ethnic differences–what may be true in one ethnic group’s age cohort (generation) may be markedly different from other ethnic groups cohorts of the same age span.

• A characteristic of an age cohort like Gen X may actuality be a marker typical of a developmental stage all generations pass through or a widespread cultural phenomenon.

• Spirituality is more difficult to study than are more visible characteristics of a group. None-the-less, studying spiritual


practices and time usage constitute more visible aspects of spirituality and do help us get at the issue.


Millennial Loss of Free Time compared to Generation X =19 Hours/Week.

(Time usage studies done in 1981 & 1997 on those between ages 3-12).

Spirituality of Gen X Spirituality of Millennials

Implications For Caring For These Generations

Hearing God’s Heart For Specific Members Of These Generations In Your Networks



Gen X/Gen Y Friends Journal

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“Rhythm of Life”ALAN FADLING

John 7:37-39

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Spiritual Leadership Insights

What “soul thirsts” do you find within yourself at this point in your journey? What specific thirsts is Jesus inviting you to bring to Himself? Have any particular thirsts become more obvious to you in the course of this retreat?

What “soul thirsts” are you aware of among those in your network of influence? How might Jesus be desiring to use you to help them bring their thirsts to Him?

©2002 Alan Fadling. Please Do Not Duplicate without Permission. The Journey • Retreat One Page 37

Developing a Personal “Rhythm of Life”

What is a rhythm or rule of life?

“A rule of life is a pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness. When we speak of patterns in our life, we mean attitudes, behaviors, or elements that are routine, repeated, regular. Indeed, the Latin tern for ‘rule’ is regula, from which our words regular and regulate derive. A rule of life is not meant to be restrictive, although it certainly asks for genuine commitment. It is meant to help us establish a rhythm of daily living, a basic order within which new freedoms can grow. A rule of life, like a trellis, curbs our tendency to wander and supports our frail efforts to grow spiritually (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005, p. 146).”

Examples of a rhythm/rule of life

William Wilberforce (British leader who was a primary human force behind the abolition of the slave trade in the West).

“[at 53 years of age] When not unavoidably prevented by company or House of Commons, to take an hour, or at least half an hour, for private devotions, including Scripture reading and meditation, immediately before family prayers…”

“[at 63 years of age] To-day I began the plan, to which by God’s grace I mean to adhere, of having my evening private devotions before family prayers. For what is this they have too often been sadly hurried, and the reading of Scriptures omitted. I have therefore resolved to allot an hour…” (Pura, Murray Andrew. Vital Christianity: The Life and Spirituality of William Wilberforce. Toronto: Clements Publishing, 2003, p. 63)

“[Regarding Sabbath] I am persuaded that to withdraw the mind one day in seven from its ordinary trains of thought and passion, and to occupy it in contemplating subjects of a higher order, which by their magnitude make worldly interests shrink into littleness, has the happiest effect on the intellectual and moral system. (Pura, p. 60-61)

Mother Teresa (and for the order she founded, the Missionaries of Charity). • Free will confession (not obligatory)


• Daily 30 minutes of meditation. • Twice daily examen of conscience. • Daily 30 minutes spiritual reading• In regards to personal retreat: 1 day per week, one week per

month, one month per year, on year per six back at the motherhouse “where in contemplation and penance together with solitude she can gather in the spiritual strength, which she might have used up in the service of the poor.” (Mother Teresa. Come Be My Light. New York: Doubleday, 2007, p. 345).

Martin Luther King, Jr. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham

seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all might be free. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy. Seek to perform regular service for others and the world. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue, or heart. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health. Follow the directions of the movement and the captain of a

demonstration. (Thompson, p. 140).

Rhythm of Grace Community (http://www.rhythmofgrace.org/) Daily morning communal prayer Weekly Sunday evening communal prayer of examen. Monthly Friday “Intimate Evening with Jesus” Quarterly Weekend Retreats

Getting Started1. What rhythms of life have you already been seeking to practice

in your daily, weekly, monthly, annual patterns?

2. Remember that spiritual disciplines or practices are not tasks we do, but space to cultivate and enjoy the relationship with the Father we have through the Son by the Spirit. Henri Nouwen says that through spiritual disciplines we prevent the world from filling our lives to such an extent that there is no place left to listen [to Him].

3. Start simply and small. Don’t try to do too much at once. Allow your rule/rhythm of life to develop over time.

4. See the catalog of spiritual disciplines/practices below not as a list of the bad news of all that I am not doing in my spiritual life, but rather see them as many various ways the Spirit might nudge you toward a deeper experience of His life in and through you.

5. Let this be a Spirit-initiated and Spirit-guided process. Allow the Spirit shape the disciplines and rhythms of your unique rhythm


of life. Trust that living the rhythms of this rule will be empowered by the Spirit. Allow focus to remain on the work of the Spirit, not on the work of the discipline.


Rhythm of Life Worksheet

Inner Spiritual Disciplines Outer Ministry Disciplines

Daily Daily

Monthly Monthly

Occasional Occasional


Classical Spiritual DisciplinesFoster’s Categories from Celebration of Discipline

Inward DisciplinesMeditation – “the ability to hear God’s voice” (1988:17)Prayer—listening, asking, believing, thankingFasting—the voluntary setting aside of normal functions for the purpose of uninterrupted concentration. Study

Outward DisciplinesSimplicity—“joyful unconcern about possessions…[in order] to seek His kingdom first” (1988:86-87)SolitudeSubmissionService—“many little deaths of going beyond ourselves” in care for others. (1988:126)

Corporate DisciplinesConfessionWorshipGuidanceCelebration

Disciplines Classified by OthersSpiritual FriendsCelibacyPoverty

Willard’s Categories from Spirit of the Disciplines

Disciplines of AbstinenceSolitudeSilenceFastingFrugality—“frees us from a multitude of desires” (1988:169)Chastity—total focus on God.Secrecy—“ceasing to make one’s good deeds and qualities known” (1988:72)Sacrifice—abstain from “what is necessary” (1988:174)Watching—“abstaining from sleep in order to attend to prayer” (1988:51)

Disciplines of EngagementStudy—particularly of the WordWorship—ascribing to God worthCelebrationServicePrayerFellowshipConfessionSubmission

Nouwen’s ClassificationsCommunion (Solitude)CommunityMinistry

Peterson’s Categories from Under the Unpredictable Plant

The Regula (Rule)Weekly common worshipDaily praying the PsalmsRecollected Prayer (throughout the day)

Disciplines when neededSpiritual ReadingSpiritual DirectionMeditationConfessionBodily ExerciseFastingSabbath-keepingDream interpretationRetreatsPilgrimagesAlmsgiving (tithing)JournalingSabbaticalsSmall Groups

Chuck Miller’s ClassificationsAbiding (Solitude)Loving one anotherBearing Witness


FeastingEvangelismNoticing God(Peace 1998)(from Foster 1988:v; C. Miller 1977:1-11; Nouwen 1993; Peace 1998a; Peterson 1992:105-110; Willard 1988: 156-192.)

“My Next Steps”The Journey Ahead

NAME __________________________________________ (please print)

January 2013 Retreat - KEEP THIS COPY

Inner Journey - During this retreat, what has God been saying to you concerning nourishing your intimacy with Him? Identify one or two steps you sense He has given you to take in creating space for Him in your schedule over the next few months.

Outer Journey - During this retreat, what has God led you to implement in your outer journey influence with people/structures? Identify one or two specific steps of implementation:


“My Next Steps”The Journey Ahead

NAME __________________________________________ (please print)

January 2013 Retreat - RETURN THIS COPY TO THE INSTITUTE STAFF FOR PRAYER

Inner Journey - During this retreat, what has God been saying to you concerning nourishing your intimacy with Him? Identify one or two steps you sense He has given you to take in creating space for Him in your schedule over the next few months.

Outer Journey - During this retreat, what has God led you to implement in your outer journey influence with people/structures? Identify one or two specific steps of implementation:



Documents

Much More Fruitful • John 152€¦ · Web view(Due to font differences, pagination in this Word version of the curriculum will not match the printed copies in your binder.) Introduction