SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL LIVINGLIVING

Class #3Class #3

Dr. Don KinderDr. Don Kinder

Seoul, KOREASeoul, KOREA

Seoul Bible InstituteSeoul Bible Institute

SPIRITUAL EXERCISESSPIRITUAL EXERCISES-If we do nothing, we will be on the “people If we do nothing, we will be on the “people mover” moving backwardsmover” moving backwards

““Spiritual house cleaning” (Hebrews 12:2, Spiritual house cleaning” (Hebrews 12:2, 1 Cor.9:24-26; Rom. 8:18) 1 Cor.9:24-26; Rom. 8:18)

Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola

- took name for Ignatius, - took name for Ignatius, bishop of church in Antioch (110 A.D.) bishop of church in Antioch (110 A.D.)

““SPIRITUAL EXERCISES”SPIRITUAL EXERCISES”-Brief set of meditations and prayersBrief set of meditations and prayers

Designed for a one month programDesigned for a one month program

Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola

Ideally, the program should take place in a Ideally, the program should take place in a secluded settingsecluded setting

He also gives instructions for longer programsHe also gives instructions for longer programs

““Spiritual director” to guide the programSpiritual director” to guide the program

Original design was to train new JesuitsOriginal design was to train new Jesuits

Contents of “S.E.”Contents of “S.E.”

Daily instructions, various meditations on:Daily instructions, various meditations on:

1. 1. The nature of the world, The nature of the world,

2. Human psychology 2. Human psychology

3. One’s 3. One’s relationship to the God of relationship to the God of Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Four weeks / Four themesFour weeks / Four themes

1.1. SinSin

2.Life of Jesus

3.Passion of Jesus

4.Resurrection of Jesus

Each participant prays on this theme, reviews the prayer with Director

Goal of “S.E.”Goal of “S.E.”

1.1. Reflect on the experiencesReflect on the experiences

2.2. Understand how these experiences Understand how these experiences relate to liferelate to life

Theology of “S.E.”Theology of “S.E.”

1.1. God and Satan are active in this worldGod and Satan are active in this world

- The human “psyche” (mind) learns how - The human “psyche” (mind) learns how to “discern” good and evil spiritsto “discern” good and evil spirits

- Reflection on humility, selflessness and - Reflection on humility, selflessness and tendency to sintendency to sin

2. Human soul is attracted to godliness 2. Human soul is attracted to godliness and eviland evil

Modern application of “S.E.”Modern application of “S.E.”

1.1. Used for training new JesuitsUsed for training new Jesuits

2.2. Outreach programs and retreats to Outreach programs and retreats to general public around the worldgeneral public around the world

- Beginning in the 1980s Protestants begin to see value of “S.E.,” adapted it to their use

Church as spiritual “gas Church as spiritual “gas station”station”

God can survive without a churchGod can survive without a church

He knows that we cannot survive without it He knows that we cannot survive without it (Hebrews 10:25)(Hebrews 10:25)

Other kinds of meetingsOther kinds of meetings

Gospel meetingsGospel meetings

Weekend seminars, retreatsWeekend seminars, retreats

Bible camps for childrenBible camps for children

Encampments for familiesEncampments for families

““Promise Keepers”Promise Keepers”

““Walk to Emmaus” Walk to Emmaus”

What is the most basic What is the most basic spiritual input for our minds?spiritual input for our minds?

Answer: God’s Word Answer: God’s Word

Without it, we have absolutely no hope of Without it, we have absolutely no hope of becoming spiritual.becoming spiritual.

We need continual and prolonged We need continual and prolonged exposure to God’s Word, assisted exposure to God’s Word, assisted by the Holy Spirit.by the Holy Spirit.

Lt. General William K. HarrisonLt. General William K. Harrison

- Most decorated soldier in 30Most decorated soldier in 30thth Infantry Infantry division in WW2division in WW2

- Won many awards for braveryWon many awards for bravery

- Chief of staff during Korean WarChief of staff during Korean War

An Amazing Man of the Word An Amazing Man of the Word - At age 20, began - At age 20, began reading O.T. once reading O.T. once a year, and N.T. 4 a year, and N.T. 4 times a yeartimes a year- By age 90, had - By age 90, had read O.T. 70 times read O.T. 70 times and NT 280 and NT 280 times times

Leader of Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF) for 18 yrs.

Speech on Christian OfficersSpeech on Christian OfficersChristian officers actually have an

advantage in achieving the best results. They know that God has a specific purpose and plan for their lives (Eph. 2:10) and that promotions come from God, regardless of any human actions connected therewith (Ps. 75:6-7). The Christian can rest assured that God oversees life and career (Matt. 10:28-31; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 4:19; 1 Thess. 5:18).

Speech (cont.)

The Christian therefore need not worry about a particular assignment or promotion, nor, practically, should one fret or worry in general. The Christian's first duty is to glorify God.

Speech (cont.)If we accept this duty, we will be single-minded

and able to concentrate on the work to be done without being pushed and pulled by worry, fear, envy, and other concerns that prevent the full use of our abilities. God puts us where He wants us to serve Him. He will provide the talent to do whatever tasks He gives us. He will keep in perfect peace of mind one who fully trusts Him, regardless of circumstances (Is. 26:3; John 14:27; Phil. 4:4-8).

His example:His example:

1. It is possible, even for the busiest of us to systematically feed on God’s Word.

2. His life remains a demonstration of a mind programmed with God’s Word.

From PsalmsFrom PsalmsOh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my

enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my

teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Psalms 119:97-99

Being Filled with God’s WordBeing Filled with God’s Word

Will help:

1. domestic relations

2. child rearing

3. One’s career

4. Decisions

5. Inner life

Be CarefulBe Careful

• Don’t create a Bible reading legalism, and say “Good Christians read the whole Bible in one year.”

• Bible itself nowhere demands this

• Some cannot read well

“I read War and Peace last night in one hour. It was about Russia.”

- Lucy

“My own brother … only learned to read well enough to get along in his trade.

Recently he became a Christian, and with his new found motivation to know God’s word, he purchased tapes of the Scriptures. His wife also reads to him. He is reading better each year.”

Kent Hughes says:

Only takes about 5 pages per day.

There are several plans for reading.

- From OT to NT

- OT with NT

- In Chronological order

To read the Bible in 1 year:To read the Bible in 1 year:

Bible on audio cassette, CDs, mp3 files

“Bible Experience” audio

“Visual Bible” (NIV)

- Matthew, Acts, John

So Many ResourceSo Many Resource

Along with the Bible, need to read Christian literature:

- Devotional

- Commentaries

- Christian novels

Christian BooksChristian Books

“One thing I noticed about evangelicals is that they do not read. They do not read the Bible. They do not read the great Christian thinkers. They have never heard of Aquinas. If they are Presbyterian, they have never read the founders of Presbyterianism. I do not understand that. As a Jew that is confusing to me.”

Jew (Dennis Prager) writes:Jew (Dennis Prager) writes:

Of the Christian books that are sold each year, only 25% are bought by men!

% of Buyers% of Buyers

To Christian leaders (Charles Colson, James Dobson, Carl F.H. Henry,

J. I. Packer, Warren Wiersbe and Calvin Miller)

- To discover the reading habits of Christians

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

1. What are the books, secular or sacred, which have influenced you the most?

2. Of the spiritual, sacred books, which have influenced you, which is your favorite?

3. What is your favorite novel?

4. What is your favorite biography?

The Questions:The Questions:

C.S. Lewis,’ Mere Christianity,

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest,

John Calvin’s Institutes,

A.W. Tozer’s, The Pursuit of God,

Thomas A Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ.

Devotional booksDevotional books

• Mr. And Mrs. Taylor’s, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret,

• Elizabeth Eliot’s Shadow of the Almighty

BiographiesBiographies

• Leo Tolstoy’s, Anna Karenina,

• Fyodor Dosteovsky’s,

Brothers Karamazov

NovelsNovels

• George Will reads 2 books a week

• Maybe we could read at least 2-3 good books per year

We Need To fill our MindsWe Need To fill our Minds

What an eternal tragedy it is to What an eternal tragedy it is to have this mind, and have it have this mind, and have it redeemed, yet not have a redeemed, yet not have a Christian mind.Christian mind.

1. To be godly (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

2. To prayerfully commit to reading God’s Word

3. To read the great books of others

Train ourselves:Train ourselves:

- First to translate the Bible into the English language

- Went to Germany

- Finally burned alive

Dying words: “Lord, open the eyes of the King.”

John WyCliffeJohn WyCliffe

1. Obtain a reliable text

2. Understand the logic of scripture

3. Compare the parts of scripture with one another

4. Maintain an attitude of humble seeking

5. Receive the instruction of the Spirit

WYCLIFFE’S 5 RULES FOR WYCLIFFE’S 5 RULES FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE:STUDYING THE BIBLE:

1. Some of it is 5,000 years old

2. Tells incredible stories

3. Calls for devotion to the son of a carpenter

4. Should not have survived

5. Most popular book of all time

A Peculiar and Wonderful A Peculiar and Wonderful BookBook

- is not from this earth

- Is God’s voice and His advice to His children

The Bible’s ability to endure:The Bible’s ability to endure:

1. What is the purpose of the Bible?

2. How do I study it?

Lucado says, “As you read..”Lucado says, “As you read..”

2 Timothy 3:15

-Salvation

- To get God’s children home

What is the Purpose?What is the Purpose?

1. Where do I go after I die?

2. Is there a God?

3. What do I do with my fears?

The Bible is a treasure map that leads to God’s highest treasure – eternal life.

Deals with tough questions:Deals with tough questions:

- Many do not.

- People do not know how to read it.

“Ask,” he promised, “and God will give it to you. Search and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you.” (Mt. 7:7)

BUT, how do we use?BUT, how do we use?

1. Ask God to help. Read prayerfully. (John 14:24)

2.2. Read it carefullyRead it carefully

“The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed, but a mine to be quarried.” (Proverbs 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:15)

How to make the Bible real:How to make the Bible real:

- Study the Bible a little at a time.

(We don’t eat 21 meals at one time).

God sent manna daily (Exodus 16:14)

He gives “a command here, a command there. A rule here, a rule there. A little lesson here, a little lesson there.” (Isaiah 28:10).

Practical pointPractical point

1. Ask God to help. Read prayerfully.

2.2. Read it carefullyRead it carefully

3.3. Make yourself available.Make yourself available.- What can I do?What can I do?- Where can I go?Where can I go?- How can I obey?How can I obey?

A reward for study (James 1:25)A reward for study (James 1:25)

How to make the Bible real:How to make the Bible real:

LoveLove is patient, is patient, lovelove is kind. is kind. ItIt does not does not envy, envy, itit does not boast, does not boast, itit is not proud. is not proud.

ItIt is not rude, is not rude, itit is not self-seeking, is not self-seeking, itit is not is not easily angered, easily angered, itit keeps no record of keeps no record of wrongs. wrongs.

LoveLove does not delight in evil but rejoices does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. with the truth.

ItIt always protects, always trusts, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. always hopes, always perseveres. 1 1 Corinthians 13:4-7Corinthians 13:4-7

Put yourself in the text:Put yourself in the text:

DonDon is patient, is patient, DonDon is kind. is kind. DonDon does not does not envy, envy, DonDon does not boast, does not boast, DonDon is not is not proud. proud.

DonDon is not rude, is not rude, Don Don is not self-seeking, is not self-seeking, DonDon is not easily angered, is not easily angered, DonDon keeps keeps no record of wrongs. no record of wrongs.

DonDon does not delight in evil but rejoices does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. with the truth.

DonDon always protects, always trusts, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. always hopes, always perseveres. 1 1 Corinthians 13:4-7Corinthians 13:4-7

Put yourself in the text:Put yourself in the text:

What would your reaction be to the What would your reaction be to the lady brought to Jesus? lady brought to Jesus? John 8:1-11

Put yourself in the setting:Put yourself in the setting:

You do not go to Scripture just to You do not go to Scripture just to seek information.seek information.

You read:You read:- to discover the person of God.- to discover the person of God.- to allow God to change you. - to allow God to change you. - to rediscover the power, wonder - to rediscover the power, wonder

and majesty of God. and majesty of God.

Remember as you read:Remember as you read:

You will sometimes meet a word, You will sometimes meet a word, phrase or section that especially phrase or section that especially speaks to you.speaks to you.

When it happens, stop reading, and When it happens, stop reading, and go back over the thought.go back over the thought.

Maybe keep a journal next to your Maybe keep a journal next to your Bible to write thoughts.Bible to write thoughts.

As you read:As you read:

At the heart of this word is “thinking.”At the heart of this word is “thinking.”The word can mean:The word can mean:1) 1) continued, intent, focused thought; continued, intent, focused thought; 2) a state of quiet, intentionally 2) a state of quiet, intentionally

unfocused, "contentless" unfocused, "contentless" awareness.awareness.

Because of the 2 meanings, Because of the 2 meanings, there is misunderstanding. there is misunderstanding.

MEDITATIONMEDITATION

Traditionally, “Traditionally, “meditationmeditation” was” was1)1) continued, intent, focused thoughtcontinued, intent, focused thought ““ContemplationContemplation” was” was2) a state of quiet, intentionally 2) a state of quiet, intentionally

unfocused, "contentless" unfocused, "contentless" awareness.awareness. (practice of some Eastern (practice of some Eastern philosophies) philosophies)

MEDITATIONMEDITATION

Bible directs believers to meditate.Bible directs believers to meditate.

Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2

““Meditate/meditation” Meditate/meditation” - 20 times in the Bible - 20 times in the Bible

From Hebrew words: From Hebrew words:

1) “haga” – sigh, murmur 1) “haga” – sigh, murmur 2) “siha” – to muse, 2) “siha” – to muse, go over in one’s mindgo over in one’s mind

Scriptural BasisScriptural Basis

Formal meditation began with the Formal meditation began with the monks’ practice of reading the monks’ practice of reading the Bible slowly.Bible slowly.

They would carefully think about the They would carefully think about the meaning of each verse.meaning of each verse.

This practice was called This practice was called “divine reading” “divine reading” (lectio divina)(lectio divina)

History of MEDITATIONHistory of MEDITATION

Sometimes monks would Sometimes monks would automatically pray as they read.automatically pray as they read.

This would lead them to a simple, This would lead them to a simple, loving focus on God.loving focus on God.

From MEDITATION to From MEDITATION to CONTEMPLATIONCONTEMPLATION

1. Lectio – 1. Lectio – reading

2.2. Meditatio – Meditatio – meditation

3.3. Oratio – Oratio – prayer

4.4. Contemplatio – Contemplatio – contemplation

He called these 4 steps the He called these 4 steps the “ladder of prayer”“ladder of prayer”

Guigo II, French monk Guigo II, French monk in 12 in 12thth century: century:

He encouraged people to visualize He encouraged people to visualize and meditate on scenes from life of and meditate on scenes from life of Christ.Christ.

Ignatius’ “Spiritual Exercises”Ignatius’ “Spiritual Exercises”

In Hinduism, Yoga and other In Hinduism, Yoga and other philosophies, meditation is a philosophies, meditation is a method to get enlightenment, method to get enlightenment, union with God.union with God.

In Christianity, meditation is a In Christianity, meditation is a preparation to receive God’s preparation to receive God’s message.message.

It is not a way to be saved.It is not a way to be saved.

Christian Meditation and Christian Meditation and Eastern PhilosophiesEastern Philosophies

1. “1. “prayer-phrasesprayer-phrases” by John Main ” by John Main (d. 1982), Benedictine monk (d. 1982), Benedictine monk

In this method, a person repeats a In this method, a person repeats a prayer phrase.prayer phrase.

Not a prayer, but an opening of Not a prayer, but an opening of one’s heart to God. one’s heart to God.

20th century Christian 20th century Christian MeditationMeditation

1.1. ““prayer-phrasesprayer-phrases” by John Main ” by John Main

2.2. ““centering prayer”centering prayer” - a sacred word - a sacred word is used to show one’s intention to is used to show one’s intention to be in God’s presence. be in God’s presence. Similar goal as Main’s Similar goal as Main’s method. method.

20th century Christian 20th century Christian MeditationMeditation

An emptying of the mind, as in some An emptying of the mind, as in some contemplative meditative practice, contemplative meditative practice, is similar to mysticism, or New Age is similar to mysticism, or New Age philosophies.philosophies.

Some CAUTION:Some CAUTION:

""There is a difference between There is a difference between reading the Word and reading the Word and understanding its meaning versus understanding its meaning versus a ma method of focusing on a single ethod of focusing on a single word to gain a mystical word to gain a mystical experience.”experience.”

Some CAUTION:Some CAUTION:

"...By using this practice, we are "...By using this practice, we are turning the Bible into a mystical turning the Bible into a mystical device for personal revelations device for personal revelations rather than a source of rather than a source of knowledge."knowledge." - Brian Flynn- Brian Flynn

Some CAUTION:Some CAUTION:

The Bible tells us to do it.The Bible tells us to do it.

Our thoughts determine what we do.Our thoughts determine what we do.

““A vital exercise of the minds of A vital exercise of the minds of God’s children”God’s children”

- -Jim Downing, - -Jim Downing, MeditationMeditation

MEDITATION is importantMEDITATION is important

““It takes serious effort. You select a It takes serious effort. You select a verse and reflect on it over and verse and reflect on it over and over in your mind...if you know over in your mind...if you know how to worry, you already how to worry, you already know how to know how to meditate"meditate"

- -Rick Warren, - -Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life Purpose Driven Life

MEDITATION is MEDITATION is focused thinkingfocused thinking

““No other habit can do more to No other habit can do more to transform your transform your life and make you life and make you more like Jesus than daily more like Jesus than daily reflection on Scripture.”reflection on Scripture.”

- Rick Warren

"A quieted heart is our best "A quieted heart is our best preparation for all this work of God … preparation for all this work of God …

Meditation refocuses us from ourselves Meditation refocuses us from ourselves and from the world so that we reflect on and from the world so that we reflect on God's Word, His nature, His abilities, God's Word, His nature, His abilities, and His works … and His works …

So we prayerfully ponder, muse, and 'chew' So we prayerfully ponder, muse, and 'chew' the words of Scripture. …The goal the words of Scripture. …The goal is simply to permit the Holy Spirit is simply to permit the Holy Spirit to activate the life-giving to activate the life-giving Word of God" Word of God"

- Bruce Demarest

On what should we focus?On what should we focus? - Philippians 4:8

God says “Be Still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)