Study Guide for Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis
FOREWORD BY JOHN PIPER
Discusses the significance of the title, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines, emphasizing the structural literary device called a chiasm.
Definition of Chiasm: A rhetorical figure where elements are presented and then repeated in reverse order, highlighting the central theme.
Structure of the Title:
Habits corresponds with Disciplines
Grace corresponds with Spiritual
Enjoying Jesus is the hinge or focal point.
Importance: The hinge concept implies that enjoying Jesus is central to understanding the other themes presented in the book.
Enjoyment of Jesus: Essential to the Christian life; it should be radical, not merely an added pleasure.
Emphasizes that grace is not static; God actively aids believers in seeking joy in Jesus.
Grace Defined: God's free and sovereign action on behalf of people who cannot achieve their spiritual goals or joy by themselves.
Spirituality Clarified: Refers to experiences and actions originating through the Holy Spirit, avoiding connotations with mystical or new-age practices.
Encouragement to Action: Engage with spiritual habits (prayer, Bible reading, fellowship) not as a means to earn grace, but as channels through which grace is received and experienced.
PREFACE
The author, David Mathis, presents the book as an introduction to spiritual disciplines, or as he refers to them, means of grace.
Key Focus: Introduce three fundamental principles for engaging with God's grace:
Hearing God’s voice (Word intake)
Having His ear (Prayer)
Belonging to His body (Fellowship within the Church)
Approach to Content: Desires to simplify spiritual disciplines to make them more accessible, which were learned and refined in the context of teaching at Bethlehem College & Seminary.
Experiences Shaping Discipline: Reflects on formative influences from family, church members, teachers, and mentors throughout personal life.
Distinct Feature of This Book: Not only outlines methods but emphasizes the joy and vital importance of spiritual disciplines, viewing them through the lens of grace.
Introduces a study guide to enhance engagement and application of the concepts presented in the book.
INTRODUCTION: GRACE GONE WILD
Concept of Grace: Explores the radical and often unexpected outpouring of God's grace, which operates outside human expectations and societal norms.
Engagement with Grace: Disciplines are tools that help individuals position themselves to receive ongoing grace rather than striving to earn favor.
Grace in Creation: Emphasizes that grace has been active since before creation, forming a critical part of the relationship between God and humanity.
Call to Action: Encourages readers to engage with God’s grace through spiritual disciplines, primarily focusing on prayer, fellowship, and interaction with scripture.
PART 1: HEAR HIS VOICE (WORD)
Chapter 1: Shape Your Life with the Words of Life
Dependence on Grace: The Christian life relies wholly on God's grace from start to finish, emphasizing the necessity of immersing oneself in God's Word.
Understanding God’s Word: God expresses Himself to humanity through His Word, which is essential for spiritual survival and growth.
Reading the Bible: Importance of regular personal Bible reading, study, memorization, and meditation as habits of grace.
Chapter 2: Read for Breadth, Study for Depth
Roles of Reading and Study: Differentiates between reading the Bible for general understanding (breadth) versus in-depth study (depth).
Importance of Approaches: Encourages a holistic engagement that includes both types of reading along with meditation.
Chapter 3: Warm Yourself at the Fire of Meditation
Definition of Meditation: Deep thinking on scripture that fosters understanding, application, and prayer.
Misunderstandings: Clarifies that Christian meditation is about filling and contemplating on God's truths rather than emptying the mind.
Chapter 4: Bring the Bible Home to Your Heart
Application of Scripture: Addresses the necessity of internalizing God’s Word for personal transformation and application to life.
Chapter 5: Memorize the Mind of God
The Importance of Memorization: Discusses how scripture memory reinforces understanding and keeps God's truth accessible for everyday life.
Approach: Encourages meditation alongside memorization for deeper engagement with scripture.
Chapter 6: Resolve to Be a Lifelong Learner
Ongoing Learning: Emphasizes the necessity of continual growth and learning in the Christian life, centered on God's Word and character.
Community Aspect: Suggests learning should occur in community alongside wise mentors and peers.
FOREWORD BY JOHN PIPER
Discusses the significance of the title, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines, emphasizing the structural literary device called a chiasm.
Definition of Chiasm: A rhetorical figure where elements are presented and then repeated in reverse order, highlighting the central theme.
Structure of the Title:
Habits corresponds with Disciplines
Grace corresponds with Spiritual
Enjoying Jesus is the hinge or focal point.
Importance: The hinge concept implies that enjoying Jesus is central to understanding the other themes presented in the book.
Enjoyment of Jesus: Essential to the Christian life; it should be radical, not merely an added pleasure.
Emphasizes that grace is not static; God actively aids believers in seeking joy in Jesus.
Grace Defined: God's free and sovereign action on behalf of people who cannot achieve their spiritual goals or joy by themselves.
Spirituality Clarified: Refers to experiences and actions originating through the Holy Spirit, avoiding connotations with mystical or new-age practices.
Encouragement to Action: Engage with spiritual habits (prayer, Bible reading, fellowship) not as a means to earn grace, but as channels through which grace is received and experienced.
PREFACE
The author, David Mathis, presents the book as an introduction to spiritual disciplines, or as he refers to them, means of grace.
Key Focus: Introduce three fundamental principles for engaging with God's grace:
Hearing God’s voice (Word intake)
Having His ear (Prayer)
Belonging to His body (Fellowship within the Church)
Approach to Content: Desires to simplify spiritual disciplines to make them more accessible, which were learned and refined in the context of teaching at Bethlehem College & Seminary.
Experiences Shaping Discipline: Reflects on formative influences from family, church members, teachers, and mentors throughout personal life.
Distinct Feature of This Book: Not only outlines methods but emphasizes the joy and vital importance of spiritual disciplines, viewing them through the lens of grace.
Introduces a study guide to enhance engagement and application of the concepts presented in the book.
INTRODUCTION: GRACE GONE WILD
Concept of Grace: Explores the radical and often unexpected outpouring of God's grace, which operates outside human expectations and societal norms.
Engagement with Grace: Disciplines are tools that help individuals position themselves to receive ongoing grace rather than striving to earn favor.
Grace in Creation: Emphasizes that grace has been active since before creation, forming a critical part of the relationship between God and humanity.
Call to Action: Encourages readers to engage with God’s grace through spiritual disciplines, primarily focusing on prayer, fellowship, and interaction with scripture.
PART 1: HEAR HIS VOICE (WORD)
Chapter 1: Shape Your Life with the Words of Life
Dependence on Grace: The Christian life relies wholly on God's grace from start to finish, emphasizing the necessity of immersing oneself in God's Word.
Understanding God’s Word: God expresses Himself to humanity through His Word, which is essential for spiritual survival and growth.
Reading the Bible: Importance of regular personal Bible reading, study, memorization, and meditation as habits of grace.
Chapter 2: Read for Breadth, Study for Depth
Roles of Reading and Study: Differentiates between reading the Bible for general understanding (breadth) versus in-depth study (depth).
Importance of Approaches: Encourages a holistic engagement that includes both types of reading along with meditation.
Chapter 3: Warm Yourself at the Fire of Meditation
Definition of Meditation: Deep thinking on scripture that fosters understanding, application, and prayer.
Misunderstandings: Clarifies that Christian meditation is about filling and contemplating on God's truths rather than emptying the mind.
Chapter 4: Bring the Bible Home to Your Heart
Application of Scripture: Addresses the necessity of internalizing God’s Word for personal transformation and application to life.
Chapter 5: Memorize the Mind of God
The Importance of Memorization: Discusses how scripture memory reinforces understanding and keeps God's truth accessible for everyday life.
Approach: Encourages meditation alongside memorization for deeper engagement with scripture.
Chapter 6: Resolve to Be a Lifelong Learner
Ongoing Learning: Emphasizes the necessity of continual growth and learning in the Christian life, centered on God's Word and character.
Community Aspect: Suggests learning should occur in community alongside wise mentors and peers.