Train Yourself to be GodlyAn 8-week Spiritual Fitness Class

Strength Endurance Flexibility

I Timothy 4:7,8

Train yourself to be godly. 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.

I Timothy 1:5

The goal of this command is LOVE,

which comes from a pure heart, A good conscience,And a sincere faith.

We are learning a new language!

THE GOAL IS LOVE. (I Tim. 1:5)• ______ is patient.• ______ is kind.• ______ does not envy.• ______ does not boast.• ______ is not proud. • ______ is not rude. • ______ is not self-seeking.• ______ is not easily angered.• ______ keeps no record of wrongs.• ______ does not delight in evil• ______ rejoices with the truth.• ______ always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.

Loving God through the Disciplines Meditation is the process by which I love God with my mind so that I love what He loves and hate what He hates. Confession is the process by which I love God with my mouth by stating the Truth about God and the truth about my sin in relationship to God.

Fasting is the process by which I love God with my body so that I grieve what he grieves. Simplicity is the process by which I love God with my heart so that I enjoy what He enjoys, through contentment and thanksgiving for what I have and by letting go of things that are distracting and un-useful.

Solitude is the process by which I love God with my soul by listening to His Spirit speaking to my spirit. Submission is the process by which I love God with my will by surrendering to His way and authority over me.

Fitness Tip: “You Snooze, You Lose.”

A woman will lose about ½ pound of muscle each year. Example: Let’s say Susan is 30 years old, and weighs 120 pounds, with 20% body fat. At age 50, if Susan still weighs 120 pounds, she will have lost 10 pounds of muscle and gained 10 pounds of fat. She would have 28% body fat.

Resistance exercises affect body composition.

Fitness Tip:You are in the BEST physical condition of your life.….from this point forward….if you do nothing more.

You are at the BEST point in your walk with God…from this point forward…if you do nothing more.

REST OF MY LIFE?! Ugh.

How do you move forward?

Fitness Tip:A process goal is easier to meet than an outcome goal. Process: I am going to exercise 4x/week for 30 minutes. Outcome: I am going to drop 10 pounds and be a size 4 by Easter!

Surrendering to the process of the disciplines is easier than conquering them!

Fitness Tip:Varying your training routine helps keep your muscles conditioned—even if you are exercising the same muscle group!

Learn what the disciplines are exercising and use them strategically!

Key Words–

Fill.Think.Repeat.

WASH.RINSE.REPEAT.Meditation

Key Words–

Come clean.Speak truth.Let go.

ConfessionGrieving.Stuck.Needy.

Fasting (food)

Key Words–

ONE thing.Content.Thankful.

SimplicitySilence. (outward)Stillness.(inward)Listening. (upward)

Solitude

Key Words–

Unity vs. Independent spirit.Humility vs. Stubborn pride.Surrender vs. Control.Trust vs. Fear.

Submission

Practical Suggestions:• Find your style and motivation!

• Use time limits and variety.

• Having a training buddy or training group is more fun.

Practical Suggestions:

• Use money for eternal gains!

• Use car time or with aerobic exercise— (meditation, prayer, solitude, worship)

Practical Suggestions:• Try combinations of disciplines

together! (as in, experiment and have fun!)

• Always remember the disciplines are about Relationship—NOT the disciplines!

For the one thirsty for God, He says:

“Come and cry out to me (prayer and fasting), listen to what I have to say (solitude, meditation, study), tell me where you are and what you have done (confession), let go of everything else (simplicity), trust me (guidance), learn my ways (service and submission) and rejoice in Me (worship and celebration).”

I am a true worshipper,in the process of maturing in Christas I walk in the light and grow in love.

What is your plan?

For the next six weeks (until Easter)…• What Scripture will you be taking in?• What two other disciplines do you

need to focus on?• How often?