28 days of discipline

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.

Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the enthusiastic style

Motto: celebrating the power of God

Focus: power & excitement

Key Scripture: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

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

Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of power & excitement in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the enthusiastic style.

Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.

Note down anything you sense during this time.

Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the enthusiastic style. Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.

- Just visit the link below
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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

Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the ascetic style

Motto: developing discipline for God

Focus: sacrifice & inner values

Key Scripture: 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)

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

Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of sacrifice & inner values in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the ascetic style.

Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.

Note down anything you sense during this time.

Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the ascetic style.

Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.

- Just visit the link below
- Create a free account on the site or just log in if you already have an account

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

Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the sharing style

Motto: passing on the grace of God

Focus: evangelism & service

Key Scripture: We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

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

Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of evangelism & service in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the sharing style.

Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.

Note down anything you sense during this time.

Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the sharing style. Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.

- Just visit the link below
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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

Memorise the Motto, Focus, and key Scripture for the Scripture-driven style

Motto: applying the Word of God

Focus: Bible study & discipleship

Key Scripture: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16)

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

Right now, spend a few moments in prayer asking God, in your own words, for a greater appreciation of Bible study & discipleship in your relationship with him. Say honestly how you feel about the Scripture-driven style.

Be sure to leave yourself a moment when you've finished to see if God brings anything to your mind about the topic.

Note down anything you sense during this time.

Re-read the chapter in The 3 Colors of Your Spirituality about the Scripture-driven style. Note down any thoughts or questions that have come to mind about the topic and post one of them on the web site for others to consider and perhaps respond to or comment on.

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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 differet 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.