Celebration of Discipline CH 1-13 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is superficiality?

The doctrine of instant and surface level satisfaction (correct)

A complex philosophical concept

An intense love for simplicity

The depth of understanding

Why is superficiality such a curse?

Because it only looks at the surface level of things and ignores anything deeper.

What are two difficulties facing one who desires to explore the Spiritual Disciplines?

The materialistic base of our age has given people doubts about their ability to reach beyond the physical world. 2. We do not know how to go about exploring inner life.

What does it mean to say that the spiritual disciplines are inward?

They deal with the inner world of the mind and heart. Signup and view all the answers

What is it that practicing the spiritual disciplines does for us?

It brings the abundance of God into our lives. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what Foster means by way of death and give an example.

The disciplines can easily turn into laws through which one earns righteousness. Example: Pharisees. Signup and view all the answers

What is Christian meditation?

Hearing God's voice and obeying His word. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Christian meditation and Secular/Eastern meditation?

Eastern focuses on emptying the mind; Christian focuses on filling the mind with God's word and truth. Signup and view all the answers

What result on behavior should meditation have?

Our inner man is transformed and our behavior becomes more like Christ's. Signup and view all the answers

Why is meditation so threatening to us?

It challenges us to go deeper and face God for ourselves. Signup and view all the answers

What does Foster mean by 'using our sanctified imagination'? Give an example.

Using our imagination in a holy way to help us focus on the Lord. Example: Imagining Jesus in the room when we pray. Signup and view all the answers

What does Foster advise in terms of time, place, and posture for meditation?

Time: a time set aside with no distraction specifically for meditation. Place: Quiet, free from distraction, helps to have one designated spot. Posture: Makes no difference but helps to feel relaxed. Signup and view all the answers

How is meditation different from the study of scripture?

Meditation internalizes and personalizes scripture rather than exegesis like study. Signup and view all the answers

What other things might Christians meditate on?

Passages, creation, events of time. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three crucial points about prayer that Foster makes in the beginning of Chapter 3?

<ol> <li>Real prayer is life creating and life changing. 2. To pray is to change. 3. There is an 'asking rightly' in prayer.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Name at least three things Foster said he learned about prayer.

<ol> <li>Prayer is essential for spiritual growth. 2. Consistent prayer leads to deeper understanding. 3. Prayer should be a continual dialogue with God.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the prayer of guidance and the prayer of faith?

The prayer of guidance seeks direction, while the prayer of faith trusts in God's plan. Signup and view all the answers

What are flash prayers?

Constant prayer for anyone you see at any time throughout the day. Signup and view all the answers

What two things help account for the disregard for fasting in our own culture?

<ol> <li>Bad reputation for aesthetic excessiveness. 2. Constant propaganda that we always need food.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Biblical purpose for fasting?

To remove something that we depend on in order to replace it with devotion to the Lord and hear His voice. Signup and view all the answers

What are the normal means of fasting?

Abstaining from all food with water. Signup and view all the answers

What biblical and historical examples of group fasting are there?

<ol> <li>Esther and her people. 2. Day of Atonement. 3. King Jehoshaphat. 4. King of Britain calling for a fast when threatened by French invasion.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Bible teach about fasting? (Should Christians fast?)

There is no direct command to fast but the Lord speaks as if He expects the disciples to. Signup and view all the answers

What does fasting do more than any other discipline?

Reveals what controls us. Signup and view all the answers

In what sense does fasting keep our balance in life?

It allows us to see how nonessential things control our life and keeps us from being enslaved by them. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose of the disciplines is most clearly seen in study?

The replacing of destructive habits of thought with life-giving habits. Signup and view all the answers

What is study?

A specific kind of experiment in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four steps of study and what do they involve?

<ol> <li>Repetition: ingraining God's word in your mind by constant exposure. 2. Concentration: centering the mind and focusing on what is being studied. 3. Comprehension: understanding what is being studied. 4. Reflection: defining the significance of what is being studied.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are three 'intrinsic' rules to reading a book?

<ol> <li>Understanding. 2. Interpreting. 3. Evaluating.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are three extrinsic aids for reading?

<ol> <li>Experience. 2. Other books. 3. Live discussion.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What key principle underlies the study of 'non-verbal books'?

The study of us. Signup and view all the answers

Give some examples of non-verbal books and what we can learn from each.

<ol> <li>Nature: teaches us about creation. 2. Institutions: reflects social structures. 3. Cultures: reveals human behavior.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say that the lust for affluence in contemporary society is psychotic?

We have lost touch with reality through seeking worldly things and impressing the world. Signup and view all the answers

Give two examples from the Old Testament to support Foster's claim that the Bible challenges nearly every economic value of contemporary society.

<ol> <li>The absolute right to private property and that God holds all property so it ultimately belongs to Him. 2. Redistribution of wealth.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Give three examples of Jesus's attitude toward money and related economic issues.

<ol> <li>Condemns wealth as a rival god. 2. Money is the root of all evil. 3. Be willing to give everything for the kingdom of God.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Explain: 'Asceticism and simplicity are mutually incompatible'.

Asceticism renounces possessions while simplicity puts them in their proper place. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the fact that simplicity is the most visible of the disciplines?

It is most open to corruption. Signup and view all the answers

What saying of Jesus is the central point for the discipline of simplicity?

Seeking first the kingdom of God above all else. Signup and view all the answers

What are three inner attitudes that characterize freedom from anxiety?

<ol> <li>What we have we receive as a gift. 2. What we have is to be cared for by God. 3. What we have is available to others.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Foster lists 10 principles for the outward expression of simplicity. Choose three and apply them to your life.

<ol> <li>Buy things for their usefulness. 2. Reject what produces addiction in you. 3. Develop a habit of giving things away.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How is solitude different from loneliness?

It is a state of mind and heart. Signup and view all the answers

Why is being silent so difficult and what does this indicate about most of our speech?

Because it takes the focus off of ourselves. We think we need speech to communicate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dark night of the soul?

Valleys of tribulation and trials. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fruit of solitude?

Increased sensitivity and compassion. Signup and view all the answers

The disciplines are only the means towards what end?

Freedom. Signup and view all the answers

The discipline of submission produces the ability to do what?

Not always needing to have our own way. Signup and view all the answers

How is biblical self-denial different from self-hate?

It is valuing other people and their concerns and putting them first but not degrading yourself. Signup and view all the answers

How does Paul work out Jesus's teaching in his letters?

Slaves should obey masters and wives should submit to husbands. Signup and view all the answers

What are limits of submission? Give two examples.

These are points when submission becomes destructive. Examples: when government treads upon religious freedoms, a child is punished unreasonably. Signup and view all the answers

What are the various acts of submission?

To God, to scripture, to our family, to neighbors, to church family, to the broken and despised, to the world. Signup and view all the answers

What are the ways in which self-righteous service differs from true service?

Self-righteous service picks and chooses who to serve, is affected by moods, and is insensitive. True service is giving up control on who you serve, serves simply because there is a need not because they feel like it. Signup and view all the answers

How does service develop humility?

When we choose to set out on a course of action that accepts the good of others, there is a change in our spirit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between service and being a servant, and how does Foster illustrate his point by reference to slavery?

Serving means we are still in charge while being a servant puts others in control. Just as a slave sees himself as having no rights, so being a servant gives up all your rights to those you serve. Signup and view all the answers

Of the many forms of service, choose three and describe how you might practice them.

<ol> <li>Service of small things. 2. Guarding the reputation of others. 3. Hospitality.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the biblical basis for the statement: 'The followers of Jesus Christ have been given the authority to receive the confession of sin and to forgive it in his name'?

John 20:23. Hear confession and forgive it in Christ's name. Signup and view all the answers

What are three things necessary for a good confession?

<ol> <li>An examination of conscience. 2. Sorrow. 3. Determination to avoid sin.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does Foster claim about the Discipline of confession?

Confession brings an end to pretense. Signup and view all the answers

What is worship?

Our response to the overtures of the love from the heart of the Father. Signup and view all the answers

What must happen before worship can happen?

God must touch our spirit with his own. Signup and view all the answers

Why is corporate worship important?

It brings the body of Christ into unity and things can occur that would not happen individually. Signup and view all the answers

How can we prepare for corporate worship effectively?

We must cultivate holy expectancy and be filled with inward worship throughout the day. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say that Christ is the leader of worship?

He is alive and present among His people and He alone decides what human means will be used. Signup and view all the answers

What are a few of what Foster calls the avenues of worship?

<ol> <li>Stilling all human activity. 2. Praise. 3. Temperament. 4. Physical bodies.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the steps to worship Foster suggests?

<ol> <li>Learn to practice being in the presence of God daily. 2. Have many different experiences. 3. Find ways to prepare for gathered worship. 4. Have willingness to be gathered in the power of the Lord. 5. Absorb distractions with gratitude. 6. Learn to offer a sacrifice of worship. 7. Cultivate holy dependency.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

In his survey of how God has guided his people corporately, make note of how God's people received guidance in three experiences.

(a) The Israelites: Pillar of cloud and fire. (b) The sending out of Paul and Barnabas: Corporate worship. (c) The church council in Acts 15: Individual guidance through Peter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the John Woolman incident?

John Woolman's heart was pricked by the issue of slavery. He said nothing until he felt the lead of the Holy Spirit and then gave a passionate speech. It was through waiting for the prompting of the Holy Spirit and individual guidance that unity was met. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spiritual director?

He is only God's usher. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Superficiality and Spiritual Disciplines

Superficiality equates to a desire for instant and surface-level satisfaction, leading to a narrow perspective of life.
This mindset ignores the deeper aspects of existence, causing spiritual stagnation.
Challenges in exploring spiritual disciplines include skepticism due to materialism and a lack of knowledge on engaging with one's inner life.
Spiritual disciplines are characterized as inward practices, focusing on the mind and heart rather than external actions.

Impact of Spiritual Disciplines

Practicing spiritual disciplines facilitates experiencing the abundance of God's presence in life.
They can be misconstrued as laws for earning righteousness, reminiscent of the Pharisees' approach.
Christian meditation involves listening for God's voice, contrasting sharply with Eastern meditation, which emphasizes emptying the mind.

Transformation Through Meditation

Meditation aims to transform the inner self, aligning behavior with Christ-like qualities.
It demands deep reflection and personal confrontation with God, making it a daunting practice for many.
Using a "sanctified imagination" can assist in prayer, such as envisioning Jesus during meditation.

Guidelines for Meditation

Foster suggests setting aside specific times and places for meditation, ideally in quiet environments to minimize distractions.
Posture is not critical but should promote relaxation.
Meditation serves to internalize scripture, opting for personal engagement over scholarly analysis.

Exploring Prayer

Significant aspects of prayer include its life-affirming nature, the notion that prayer itself induces change, and the importance of asking rightly within prayer.
Continuous prayer throughout daily life, termed 'flash prayers,' encourages spontaneous communication with God.

Fasting and Its Significance

Fasting has lost respect in contemporary culture due to misconceptions and the constant cultural push for food consumption.
The biblical purpose of fasting is to replace earthly dependencies with a renewed focus on God.
Fasting reveals what controls individuals, helping in maintaining spiritual balance.

Study as a Spiritual Discipline

Study consists of engaging with reality through four steps: repetition, concentration, comprehension, and reflection.
Reading habits can be enhanced through intrinsic rules (understanding, interpreting, evaluating) and extrinsic aids (experience, other texts, discussion).
Non-verbal books, like nature and culture, can provide insight into spiritual truths.

Economic Views and Material Simplicity

The Bible confronts modern economic values, emphasizing God's ownership of all.
Jesus criticized wealth, viewing it as a rival to God and promoted the idea of sacrificing material possessions for spiritual gain.
Simplicity contrasts with asceticism, advocating for placing material possessions in proper perspective rather than complete renunciation.

Solitude, Silence, and Service

Solitude is a mindset fostering connection with God, distinct from loneliness.
Silence reveals our reliance on communication, indicating a struggle with self-centeredness.
True service is shown through acts that prioritize the needs of others, fostering humility and selflessness.

Confession, Worship, and Corporate Worship

Confession ends the facade of perfection, encouraging authenticity and transparency in relationships with God and others.
Worship is a reciprocal act of love between God and humanity, necessitating divine inspiration before engagement.
Corporate worship strengthens the church body, uniting believers and facilitating experiences unavailable in isolation.

Guidance Through Community and Spiritual Direction

God's people have historically received guidance through communal experiences, such as those in the Old Testament and the New Testament church.
John Woolman's example illustrates waiting for divine prompting before taking action on moral issues, embodying the role of the spiritual director as God's facilitator rather than authority.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts and definitions from Chapters 1 to 13 of 'Celebration of Discipline'. This flashcard quiz will help reinforce your understanding of superficiality and the spiritual disciplines. Perfect for students looking to deepen their insight into these important themes.