series 2: Practicing the way

APRIL 7TH: INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICES (TINA TEOPE)

Moment by Moment Awareness of God

- Refocusing our minds on God like a compass returning to the north - 

This week our practice aims to begin (or build on) our ability to live moment by moment in the presence of God.

This is a practice that takes time and training but really does work if we commit to it.

There are different pathways into a greater awareness of God. As Tina shared on Sunday, her pathway into a fuller awareness of God‘s presence was through gratitude. As she consciously chose to be grateful for the smallest of details in her day, she found after a while that her mind began doing it naturally and automatically, her thoughts returning again and again to a place of thankfulness to God. You may likewise choose to use gratitude to help grow a greater awareness of God in your life.

Here are some other ways you could begin or grow in this journey:

  1. A prayer you repeat to yourself over and over throughout your day eg “Jesus you are in this place, help me see you here.”

  2. A Bible verse you return to moment by moment throughout your day e.g. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46v10 

We may feel some frustration when we realise it has been several hours since we have been conscious of God’s presence. Don’t feel any guilt or shame over this. Simply start again. Re-training takes time!

Don’t be discouraged if you do not sense much progress in the first week or two. It can take many weeks. But at some stage our brains will rewire and our mental compasses will swing unaided back to our true North. Hang in there! The joy is worth it. 

APRIL 21st: Slowing - iN a WORLD OF HURRY (HANNAH plews)

Practices for slowing your life based on suggestions in ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ by John Mark Comer.

  1. Play some “games” that will help train your mind and body to go slow. See these things not as aggravations but as invitations to calm down. Try to actually enjoy the forced delay in your typically rapid forward motion. E.g. get into the longest line at the supermarket and don’t take out your phone; drive the speed limit; don’t text and drive; get into the slow lane of traffic and don’t try to overtake people.

  2. Look at your week and try to cut 1-3 things out of your weekly schedule. Now deliberately schedule in time to withdraw and be alone with God.

  3. Is your phone a constant distraction? Consider setting only specific times to check your email and use social media. Delete entire apps if that would be healthier. Is it time for you to parent your phone by putting it to bed like you would a child at a certain time each night and not looking at it again until a certain time in morning?

MAY 5TH: SCRIPTURE - IN AN AGE OF RELATIVISM (ROD EDWARDS)

Reading, memorising, listening to Scripture has always been part of following Jesus. As Rod shared, if we want to be formed  into the likeness of Jesus, we have to be re-formed away from our world which is always seeking to shape us into its mould. Scripture is key in this re-shaping, renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).

The Practice: This month, commit to reading Scripture in a more practiced and regular way, AND tell someone you are going to do it, so they can hold you accountable. Commit to 1-3-5-7... either once a week, three times a week, five times a week or seven times a week.

Stuck on what to read? Try the book of Mark (for an overview of Jesus' life) OR read a Psalm every day OR try a letter from an early church leader like Ephesians OR jump right back to the start and read Genesis.

MAY 19TH: FASTING - IN A WORLD OF INDULGENCE (LIBBY HUNT)

Choose a Practice from the list below:

  1. Think of something you are struggling with. It could be a need for guidance or the strength to overcome or confession for something or concern for a situation or... Decide on a meal (or meals) that you can miss out on and spend time praying instead. Tell God your struggle and ask Him to give you the strength to face it and the ears to hear what God has to say. Notice over the next few hours and days what God is saying to you and doing. Share what God shows you with a safe person or your small group.

  2. Take some time to contemplate on and pray this prayer from Alyssa Woollard:

    "Lord, please forgive us for craving food more than you. Forgive us for craving anything more than you. Lord redirect our hunger. Be our God. Open our eyes to the benefits of fasting. Open our hearts to you like never before. Give us the desire to turn to you with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our strength. May we no longer live by bread alone but by every word that comes from your mouth Oh LORD. Teach us to fast so that we might hold fast to you. In Jesus Name, Amen."

  3. Read and reflect on Isaiah 58. What does this passage say to you? What areas of concern speak to you when it comes to fasting?

JUne 2ND: SIMPLICITY - IN A WORLD OF EXCESS (JOSHUA TAYLOR)

A simple practice to begin learning how to simplify our lives:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

Each morning this week, ask God to tell you one thing that he wants you to trust in him about that day.

JUne 16TH: QUIET - IN A WORLD OF NOISE (ROBIN KNOX)

Choose one or the other:

1. If you are new to taking intentional time alone in the Quiet, with God, think about Place and Time.

  • Where and when can you just sit quietly and listen to God?

  • Talk to the people you live with about how to make this happen.

  • Start with five minutes. Don’t do anything. Just stay quiet and listen.

2. If you are ready to move more deeply into Quietness, listen to the John Mark Comer podcast on 1 Kings 19 - Elijah and the Broom Tree | Silence and Solitude E2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NB9SqSNnxtF817V7Gn1rO?si=bdc335185f574763