BMIN 2080 Foundations for Ministry Exam 2 - Dr. Jesse Robertson

This Knowt is for Dr. Jesse Robertson's Test 2 in Foundations for Ministry

How does Ortberg define a “disciplined person”?

Someone who can do the right thing at the right time in the right way with the right spirit.

How does meditation differ in the East versus in Christ?

Empty mind v. mind of Christ; “taming monkey mind” v. “every thought captive to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5); nothingness v. fullness in Christ

Timothy Keller’s 3 different types of prayer

“Upward” (adoring God), “inward” (introspective), and “outward” (intercessory)

Anne Lamott’s 3 different types of prayer

“Help!” (supplication), “Thanks! (thanksgiving), “Wow!” (adoration)

Difference between “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow”

“Sorrow as it relates to confession is not primarily an emotion, though emotion may be involved.” Foster (2008,188)

4 steps of Lectio Divina

1. Read

2. Meditate

3. Pray

4. Contemplate

4 steps Luther followed when he studied Scripture

1. Instruction: What is God teaching his people?

2. Thanksgiving: What is here that I should thank God for?

3. Confession: What sin in my life do I need to own in light of this passage?

4. Prayer: What should I say to Him in response?

3 inner attitudes regarding wealth Foster says we must embrace

1. What we have is a gift

2. God will take care for it/us

3. We need to make it available to others

4 distortions of submission according to Foster: doormat, pleaser, dependent, and manipulator

1. Doormat- allows others to abuse them

2. Pleaser- wants to avoid conflict at all costs

3. Dependant- fearful person, needs to grow in right kind of confidence

4. Manipulator- submits, but with hidden self-centered agenda

5 ways Ortberg says we enter the life of servanthood

1. The ministry of the mundane

2. The ministry of being interrupted

3. Embracing our weaknesses/limitations

4. The ministry of holding your tongue

5. The ministry of “bearing” (with difficult people)

4 obstacles to confession according to Foster

1. Worm Theology- wallowing in guilt

2. Denial- that what you’ve done is all that bad

3. Fear of Judgement of others

4. Stigma of weakness in self reliant culture

3 “lights” of God’s guidance according to Willard in Hearing God

1. Circumstances

2. Impression of the Spirit

3. Passages from the Bible

5 obstacles to celebration according to Foster

1. Too puritanical (holy=unhappy)

2. Bitterness, hurt anger

3. Guilt

4. Suffering

5. Busy-ness

Identify 3 common forms of distorted thinking (adapted from David Burns) and explain how a Christian might correct his/her own thoughts in view of the cross.

Three common forms of distorted thinking identified by David D. Burns are all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and ignoring positives while exaggerating negatives. All-or-nothing thinking causes someone to see things only as total success or complete failure. Overgeneralization happens when a person takes one bad experience and assumes it represents everything. Ignoring positives and exaggerating negatives makes someone focus only on what went wrong while dismissing what went well. A Christian can correct these thoughts by remembering the meaning of the cross and the grace offered through Jesus Christ. The cross reminds believers that while humans are imperfect, they are also deeply loved and forgiven by God. Because of this, a Christian can reject extreme or negative thinking and instead focus on truth, grace, and hope. Remembering the cross helps believers think more realistically and with humility.

What are some of the symptoms of what Ortberg calls “hurry sickness” that you see in your own life and how are you dealing with them?

“Hurry sickness,” described by John Ortberg, refers to a lifestyle where a person is constantly rushing and unable to slow down. Some symptoms include speeding up daily activities, multitasking all the time, living with clutter, and having superficial relationships. Other signs are an inability to truly love others well and “sunset fatigue,” where someone feels drained at the end of the day because life has been so rushed. I sometimes see hurry sickness in my own life when I try to do several things at once or rush through tasks just to get them finished. This can make it harder to focus on people or be present in the moment. To deal with this, I try to slow down and focus on one responsibility at a time. I also try to make space for rest and time with God so that my schedule does not control my life.

Identify four of Foster’s spiritual disciplines you feel most convicted about practicing and explain why.

Several spiritual disciplines from Richard J. Foster challenge me to grow spiritually. Four that stand out are prayer, solitude, simplicity, and study. Prayer is important because it strengthens a person’s relationship with God and keeps faith active in daily life. Solitude is valuable because it allows time away from distractions so someone can reflect and listen to God more clearly. Simplicity is convincing because it encourages focusing on what truly matters instead of being distracted by possessions or busyness. Study is also important because it helps believers understand Scripture and grow in wisdom. Practicing these disciplines helps shape character and develop a stronger spiritual life. They also help keep life centered on God instead of being controlled by distractions or constant activity.

12 spiritual disciplines listed by Foster, in their 3 categories (inward, outward, corporate)

A. Inward disciplines

1. Meditation

2. Prayer

3. Fasting

4. Study

B. Outward disciplines

5. Simplicity

6. Solitude

7. Submission

8. Service

C. Corporate disciplines

9. Confession 

10. Worship

11. Guidance

12. Celebration

Foster’s Inward Disciplines

1. Meditation

2. Prayer

3. Fasting

4. Study

Foster’s Outward Disciplines

5. Simplicity

6. Solitude

7. Submission

8. Service

Foster’s Corporate Disciplines

9. Confession 

10. Worship

11. Guidance

12. Celebration