28 days of discipline

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the sacramental spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Speak out the following prayer today. Even if the thoughts expressed are a stretch for you, speak them out so that their reality might be birthed within you.

"An Act of Love"

Reflect on your life since childhood and make a list symbols and rituals followed by your family or circle of friends (eg. Birthday cakes and singing happy birthday, regularly taking part in a particular form of worship service, wearing a type of clothing or uniform, going to a particular holiday destination repeatedly, etc.)

If you have any negative feelings toward the sacramental style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

The Nicene Creed (below) is the statement of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. Today, go to a place that, for you, symbolises closeness with God and speak out the creed. While doing so, be mindful of being one with the millions of Christians around the world who will also speak out the creed as a profession of their faith this week.

We believe in one God,

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the mystical spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Today, act upon an inner prompting to which you otherwise might not pay attention or disregard as just your imagination. It might be to call someone on the phone, to stop and speak with someone, pray for someone, speak up about an issue that concerns you even if you're not sure why, or to look up a reference in the Bible.

Reflect upon and memorise the following passage...

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

If you have any negative feelings toward the mystical style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

Today, spend 10 minutes or more in silence and solitude. Find a place as free as possible from any form of distraction. Consider going away from your every-day environment to somewhere peaceful or even sitting inside a closed wardrobe if necessary. If you have only very limited time, set a (non-ticking) alarm clock so that you are not thinking about the time while in this period of solitude.

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the enthusiastic spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Express yourself with greater enthusiasm today whenever there is something to celebrate anywhere in your world. It may feel awkward, but everything new feels that way in the beginning (e.g. learning to ride a bike).

Accept that some people may find it unusual and perhaps even belittle you for it. Just smile and allow them to be intrigued by what is happening in your life.

Reflect upon and memorise the following passage...

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good." 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

When considering this passage, do you place equal emphasis on both the words "test" and "everything"?

If you have any negative feelings toward the enthusiastic style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

Consider the following passage...

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:9-11

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the ascetic spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Go without one or more regular luxuries today as a deliberate act of self-denial. Put the money that would normally go toward those things in a safe place (separate from any money you usually give to others).

When you have repeated this discipline each week through the 28 days of ascetic discipline, give the money toward a cause that represents those in need.

Consider the ascetic style key verse...

"I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Make a list of any ideas that come to mind about what it would mean in everyday practical terms for you to "beat your body" and make it your "slave".

If you have any negative feelings toward the ascetic style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

Choose to go without a pleasure that you would usually enjoy today. It might be a meal, a show, a pleasant walk, affection, etc.

During the time that you would normally be engaged in that activity, make a list of 10 reasons from the last week for you to rejoice in God's love for you. Share the list with a friend.

-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the sharing spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Share with at least 3 people today a way in which you have been blessed by God or sensed his presence in the past week.

-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org

Think of a person you know quite well who may not know Christ or has drifted away from the church.

Make a list of anything you can think of that may be a barrier between that person's current life and a deepening connection with God and the church.

If you have any negative feelings toward the sharing style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

Go out of your way to proactively serve somebody today to whom you would not normally show generosity.

If repeating this discipline, consider stretching yourself a little further by either serving a more "challenging" person or by being even more generous in your serving of the same person.

-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org

If you've not done so already, get involved in a Mutual Mentoring relationship with someone who has the Scripture-driven spiritual style.

The Mutual Mentoring guide is contained in Part 2 of the workbook How to Embrace The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality in Your World, or can be downloaded freely from the web site (click the link below and then go to "Mutual Mentoring").

Memorise the key Scripture for each of the 9 spiritual styles and share them with a friend (you will undertake this exercise 4 times during the 28 days of scripture-driven discipline so don't worry if you are not able to memorise all of the texts on the first time through).

Sensory: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Think of one important thought or belief in your life that you would not be aware of if someone had not presented biblical teaching to you at some stage.

Share it with a friend.

Move onto a different thought or belief if repeating this discipline.

-- Visit the web site: http://www.3colorsofyourspirituality.org

If you have any negative feelings toward the Scripture-driven style or toward people who have that style, right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God's forgiveness and for him to renew your mind. Ask God to help you separate the perils from the strengths of that style so that you might one day fully embrace the strengths.

Or...

Read 4 chapters of the Bible from the book of Mark today. Either start with the first 4 chapters or, if repeating this discipline, move onto the next 4 chapters.

Note down any new encouragement, challenges, thoughts or questions that come to your mind as you read and share them with a friend.