SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Facts about Spiritual Maturity

1. It is not AUTOMATIC. It is a PROCESS. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. *GOD began the good work in us. 2. It takes DISCIPLINE. Proverbs 25:28 He that no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is] broken down, and without walls. 3. It entails CROSS BEARING. Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 4. It can only be done through CHRIST. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

How do we hold our Bible?

1. HEAR 2. READ 3. STUDY 4. MEMORIZE 5. MEDITATE 6. APPLY 7. PASS IT TO OTHERS 1. HEAR Faith comes from hearing the word of God Romans 10:17 a. Deal with attitudes that prevent from hearing God. Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. LOOK AT THESE THREE SITUATIONS: DO YOU FALL INTO ANY OF THEM? CLOSED MIND PREOCCUPIED MIND SUPERFICIAL MIND

b. Confess any sin in your life. Psalm 32:3-5 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[a] c. Take notes on what you hear. Deuteronomy 6:6-10 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 2. READING Deuteronomy 17:19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees Guidelines to help you develop a daily habit of reading the Word of God 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read the Bible SYSTEMATICALLY. You may follow a reading plan or use a devotional. FOLLOW a daily Bible reading plan and stick to it. Read different translations that may give you a clearer perspective of the verse. Read it ALOUD improves concentration Underline or highlight the key verses this will help you to find the verse when you need to refer to them later on.
5 Then

I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD. And you forgave the guilt of my sin

3. STUDYING Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. How can you effectively study the Bible? 1. Ask questions 2. read the Bible 3. Take down notes 4. MEMORIZING a. Memorizing scripture helps me resist temptations. Psalm 119:11 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

b. Memorizing scripture helps me make wise decisions. Psalm 119:105 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. c. Memorizing scripture gives me strength in times of trouble. Psalm 119:28 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. d. Memorizing scripture brings me comfort. Psalm 119:50 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. e. Memorizing scripture helps me be prepared to share the gospel to others. 1 Peter 3:15 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, One way : DAILY BIBLE INDEXING SYSTEM 5. MEDITATING IMPORTANT TIP : START WITH ONE NEW VERSE A WEEK. Why should we MEDITATE on the word of God? a. it is the key in knowing Gods will. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. b. It is the key in becoming like Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lords glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. c. It is the key on successful living Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. d. It is the key to answered prayer John 15:7
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 18 And

* there is no unanswered prayers, God always answers our prayers in His way. It maybe not in the way we want it to be, but it is always how God wants it to be. * dont focus on what we dont have, but focus on what we have.
*pray not what we want, but what God wants for us. HOW TO MEDITATE ON Gods word 1. PICTURE IT 2. PRONOUNCE IT 3. PARAPHRASE IT USE YOUR OWN WORDS 4. PERSONALIZE IT 5. PRAY IT 6. PROBE IT *probe: question or examine thoroughly and closely SIN to confess PROMISE to claim ERROR to avoid EXAMPLE to follow COMMAND to obey INSIGHT on God ATTITUDE to change LINE to memorize

6. APPLY James 1:22

22 Do

not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

In Applying Gods Word We Have To Focus On Our Relationship With: GOD MYSELF OTHER PEOPLE

Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ. After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent being to become spiritually mature. According to the Apostle Paul, its an ongoing process that will never end in this life. In Philippians 3:12-14, speaking of full knowledge of Christ, he tells his readers that he himself has not "already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which

God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus". Like Paul, we have to press continually toward deeper knowledge of God in Christ.