Other spiritual disciplines
Beyond the practices of our shared rule of life, the Spirit has furnished the Church with a tool shed of practices and disciplines to cultivate holiness and deepen communion with God. These disciplines are specific to need, season and situation. When I turn over soil in spring, I turn to a shovel not a leaf rake; when you prune a plant, garden shears are useful. In cultivating the life of Jesus in us, other spiritual disciplines are put to use when they are needed and then set aside when they are not. Life with God is always personal and spiritual growth is always sensitive to the reality of our lives - there are different seasons and stages of life that need to be honoured, unique characters, particular needs to be attentive. These disciplines work alongside our shared rule of life, helping to personalize spiritual formation to all the particularities of each person. The disciplines are the varied means by which we open ourselves to the forming work of God’s Spirit.
“There are no dittos among souls.”
Confession
Practice confessing your sins to trusted people who will pray with you and be spiritual allies. Confessing and asking for forgiveness, restores our relationship with God when it has been damaged by our sins. Confession breaks down barriers in our relationship to God and receiving forgiveness through Christ allows us to be in right standing with him.
Service
Give your time and skills in service to the church and to others. Consider offering a tither of your time. Caring for others is part of serving God with the overflow of his love for you. This can take practical forms of serving on a Sunday morning or cooking a meal for a neighbour.
Guidance
Meeting with a spiritual director, mentor, or counsellor for ongoing guidance and direction in your life. This requires time to listen intentionally for God's direction in our lives. We must seek wisdom and guidance from others and God as we make decisions for our lives.
Slowing
Simplicity
Not every Christian is called to voluntary poverty, however we can aim to live a life of simplicity for the sake of generosity. The discipline of simplicity means not buying into the demands of our consumeristic culture; it means living with less, not more. A simple lifestyle is helpful for cultivating a singularity of focus
on God.
Study
This is the practice of engaging your mind with the written word of God to grasp a deeper intellectual understanding of him. This is one way that we can love God with and by using our minds (Matt 22:37).
Meditation
Meditation is helpful for slowing down and focusing our thought life. Unlike other forms of meditation, Christian meditation is not about emptying ourselves to find truth. Instead, we fill ourselves with truth by meditating on Scripture passages. We trust these Holy Spirit-inspired words as our guide, bringing wisdom and strength for life.
Pilgrimmage
Solitude
The practice of spending time without any others. This is done to focus on God alone without all the distractions of our lives. Solitude does not require silence, but practicing both disciplines at the same time can be helpful.
Celebration
Practice being grateful both in your relationship with Christ and with other believers. Express encouragement and thankfulness to others. Jesus gives us life to full, which includes a joyful recognition of the goodness of God in our lives.
Giving/generosity
Giving by financial means to those in need and specifically the church. In Deuteronomy 14 we are told to tithe a tenth of our income. We do this in worship to God for all that he has given us.
