The Life You’ve Always Wanted.
Week #5: Going The Distance.
Spiritual disciplines for ordinary people.
I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Philippians 3:10-14
Hebrews 12:1-3
Our culture often suggests that our life’s goals and priorities should centre on making it comfortable, manageable, easy, and free of challenge. How does this contrast with the images in Philippians 3 and Hebrews 12 of a marathon athlete running a race?
What are the athlete’s goals? What are the athlete’s priorities? Draw out the words and phrases used in these two passages.
What role do things like opposition, suffering, and perseverance play in the disciplined race of faith?
How does Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, allow these things to transform us?
A marathon runner has an intentional training regime and a disciplined approach to running the race. Similarly, in our race of faith, we should develop a ‘rule of life’ – patterns, habits, and orderly spiritual disciplines – in order to throw off everything that hinders, scorn the discomfort or pain, and strain towards our heavenly prize.
Share your thoughts and experiences on a ‘rule of life’.
Have you ever used ancient patterns from monastics, or found modern tools that have really benefitted your practice of spiritual disciplines?
As we draw this series to a close, are there things you plan to commit to?
How could your Collective (or small group) support you or encourage accountability?
If this group was feeding back in six months’ time, what would you like to be saying about your spiritual life?
Pray for one another.
Take time to pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to the above.
