Sacred Rhythms

What is our definition of spiritual formation? (Be able to identify and explain the 4 key elements in definition.)

a process

- continual

- not instantaneous

- "a long obedience in the same direction" (Eugene Peterson)

of being conformed

- surrender

- allowing God to work in us

to the image of Christ

- God wants to touch us intimately where we are most unlike Christ

- confrontation (what is in me that is unlike Christ) and consecration (yielding those faults to God to change)

for the sake of others

- always Christ centered

- demonstrate his character by focusing on being loving

- if we love like Christ, we can focus on the needs of others

What are spiritual disciplines and what purpose do they serve?

the tools we use to place ourselves before the Holy Spirit to do that profoundly amazing work of transformation

- A Divine - Human Collaboration

- the activities we do in order to place ourselves before God to work

The value of solitude - Why would we want to practice solitude? What does it accomplish for us?

Purpose - Time set apart from noise, busyness, stimulation, technology

Accomplishes - Many significant decisions, acts, and moments in the ministry of Jesus are preceded by a time of solitude and prayer

---- Jesus consistently spent time in solitude

Be able to explain the difference between informational reading and formational/transformational reading of Scripture.

Informational - focuses on quantity, seeks to master the text, treats text like an object, problem solving mentality

Transformational - focuses on quality (point is meeting God in the text), relational (seeks layers of meaning), seeks to be a servant of the Word, openness to mystery

What are the six steps in Lectio Divina? (chapter lists four movements, practice at end includes a preparatory step and separates out an additional step at the end)

1. Preparation

- quiet your spirit

- become aware of God's presence

2. Read (lectio)

- read the passage several times

- listen for a word or phrase that strikes you

3. Reflect (meditatio)

- why did I need to hear this?

4. Respond (oratio)

- how will you respond to God's invitation in the passage

5. Rest (contemplatio)

- read one more time

- rest in the reality of God's presence

6. Resolve (incarnatio)

- live out what you've heard

- allow God's Word to live in you and through you

What is breath prayer and how would you go about developing one?

Definition - A breath prayer is a short prayer that arises out of the depths of our desire and need, can be prayed rhythmically with the inhalation and exhalation of our breaths

What is the "daily office"? How would someone go about praying daily office?

Structured Daily Prayer

- typically you take time to pray in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and before bed

ACTS model of praying - Be able to explain in detail each movement

Adoration - praising God for who He IS

Confession - confessing my sin and experience His forgiveness

Thanksgiving - thanking God for what He HAS DONE

Supplication - asking God for our needs and the needs of others

What is the rationale for the discipline of "honoring the body," and why is this spiritual? (informed by our understanding of creation, incarnation and sanctification)

Creation

- Genesis 2:7

---- 7 Then the Lord God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Incarnation

- Hebrews 2:17

---- 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[a] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Sanctification

- Romans 12:1

---- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Be able to describe examples of physical disciplines.

- exercise/fitness

- diet

- rest

- listening to the body

- fasting

What is the purpose of fasting? Why would someone fast? What are the benefits of fasting?

Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes, centers our hearts on God

- God initiated and ordained

--- tons of Scriptural evidence calling people to fast

- reveals the things that control us

- reminds us of our dependance on God

- helps keep balance in our lives

What are the benefits of the practices of self-examination? Why should someone do this?

- experiencing God's forgiveness

- helps us see the gift of our identity in God

- wakes us up to God's presence

---- allows us to be completely open and honest with God and let Him see us for who we really are

Be able to define and explain the distinction between "examen of consciousness" and "examen of conscience." What are the benefits of each with regard to our spiritual formation?

Examen of Consciousness - Seeing where God was present and active during the day

--- going back over the events of the day and inviting God to show us where he was present with us and how we responded

--- conditioning ourselves to pay more attention

Examen of Conscience - Where have I fallen short of what God would have wanted of me?

--- asking God to convict us - being aware of our own sinfulness

--- a move from seeing God more clearly to seeing ourselves more clearly

--- reviewing day/week with an eye toward mind attitudes, actions and moments that were unlike Christ

------- seeing something wrong

------- naming and understanding the inner dynamics of that wrong

------- confession

Be able to explain the terms "consolation" and "desolation" and how they contribute to the process of discernment.

Consolation - Interior movement of the heart that gives us a deep sense of life-giving connection with God, others, and our most authentic self in God

Desolation - The loss of a sense of God's presence.

Troubled spirit, confusion

--- They are the two inner dynamics of the heart and often one of the most common ways God speaks to us

What are the definitions of and the distinction between the "prayer of indifference" and the "prayer of wisdom"? Which prayer must come first? Why?

Prayer of indifference (must come first or else we become subject to selective hearing) - Praying that God would make me indifferent to anything but His will

Prayer for wisdom - asking God for wisdom and guidance

Be able to define and explain the purpose of Sabbath.

The basic unit of Christian time, given to people as a day of rest so that they can flourish and replenish

How would you explain to someone how they should observe the sabbath? In other words, what are key principles for the practice of Sabbath?

Do things that are refreshing for you and honorable to God

Key principles - ceasing (from work and worries), resting (focuses on spiritual, emotional, and intellectual rest), embracing (being intentional and deliberate with time), feasting (delighting)

What should one exclude/include in observation of Sabbath?

exclude... work, buying and selling, and worry

include... resting the body, replenishing the spirit, restoring the soul

Rule of life - Be able to define/describe what it is, and also to explain its purpose and the process one would use to create one.

A rule of life is "a gentle guide that keeps you trained toward God"

the rule should be...

- personal

- realistic

- balanced

- flexible

--- Within the context of our life in faith we approach these practices with a sense of delight not duty

- Answers the question: How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?