Antioch: Spiritual Disciplines

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Spiritual Disciplines (Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3)

Scripture References: Acts 11:19-30, Acts 13:1-3, Proverbs 16:32, Ephesians 4:11-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Intro:

• Recap of the Antioch church: evangelistic, diverse, generous, and Spirit-led.
• Focus on their commitment to spiritual disciplines, mirroring Jesus’s lifestyle.
• Addressing the challenge: shifting from mere “trying” to intentional “training.”
• Highlighting the importance of spiritual disciplines for Christ-likeness.

Key Points:

• The Antioch Model:
  • Their actions reflected Jesus's practices: worship, fasting, prayer, and generosity.
  • The term "Christian" arose from observing their Christ-like behavior.
• The "Becoming" vs. "Doing" Dilemma:
  • Often, we focus on outward actions rather than inward transformation.
  • Spiritual disciplines address this, shaping our character to reflect Christ.
• Defining Spiritual Disciplines:
  • Practices that create space for the Holy Spirit's transforming work.
  • Not about earning favor, but about aligning with God’s ways.
  • Dallas Willard: “A discipline is any activity that I can do by direct effort that will eventually enable me to do that which currently I cannot do by direct effort.”
  • Joe Marcomer: “Practices based on the lifestyle of Jesus that create a time and a space for us to live. For us to access the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. And in doing so, be transformed from the inside out.”
• Training vs. Trying:
  • We often expect to act like Jesus without adopting His lifestyle.
  • Disciplines are training, not just trying to mimic Jesus in isolated moments.
  • Examples include prayer, fasting, solitude, and community.
• Practical Application:
  • Tailor disciplines to address specific needs (engagement vs. abstinence).
  • Embrace the difficulty: “If it burns, you probably need it.”
  • Consider seasons of life: adjust practices accordingly.

Conclusion:

• Spiritual disciplines are essential for transformation and Christ-likeness.
• We are called to train ourselves in godliness.
• God’s grace enables and empowers us in this journey.

Call to Action:

• Reflect on areas where you need to train, not just try.
• Choose one spiritual discipline to focus on this week.
• Take the provided survey to assist in future teaching.
• Pray for God’s guidance and strength in your pursuit of Christ-likeness.