Deeper Discipleship
Prayer
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14) “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” (Søren Kierkegaard).
Scripture
“Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” [Psalm 119:33-35]
Spiritual Disciplines
Discipline is defined as "training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior.” The purpose of spiritual discipline is the development of our inner being, that which has been transformed by Christ at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Guided Book Reads
The ability to read additional clarifying material to Scripture itself takes both dedication and skill. Augustine's De Trinitate, Aquinas' Summa Theologiae, Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript, or Lonergan's Insight are chewy texts that are helpful to read alongside informed guides.
Apologetics and Witnessing
Christian apologetics (Greek: ἀπολογία, “verbal defense, speech in defense’) is a branch of Christian theology that aims to present historical, reasoned, and evidential bases for Christianity, defending it against objections. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
Physical Training
Whereas Paul tells Timothy, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come," physical training has significant benefits: (1) good stewardship, (2) self-control, (3) guarded readiness, and (4) Kingdom service.