BECOMING: Intro to Spiritual Practices

Hello church (and anyone else reading)!

This week we began a 10-week study of spiritual practices that we are calling BECOMING. (If you were absent, click here to watch the sermon back--you won’t want to miss it!) 

Who we are becoming should be intentional, not accidental. In this series, we are exploring nine ancient practices that position us to be formed by Christ and so become like Him. 

This week, Pastor Noelle introduced the series by talking through the purpose of spiritual practices or disciplines, and offering some tips about how to find practices that work for you. We are seeking to grow spiritually, and it’s important to remember that growth happens through the work of the Holy Spirit, but we can give it the right conditions to promote growth. 

Here is the Scripture from her sermon! 

John 15:1-10

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Resource 1: Noelle shared 9 tips for starting spiritual practices, originally from John  Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way. These are helpful for anyone trying to build a new habit, but particularly when we are thinking about spiritual practices.

1. Start with where you are, not where you “should” be. 

2. Think subtraction, not addition.

3. Take a balanced approach.

4. Take your personality into account.

5. Take your season of life into account.

6. Find a balance of upstream and downstream practices.

7. Follow the “J” curve.

8. Do this in community.

9. There is no formation without repetition. 

Which of these tips is most helpful or impactful for you in this current season of life?

Resource 2:  On the website Practicing the Way, there is a wealth of resources available that you can explore. However, we wanted to challenge you this week to complete the Spiritual Health Reflection assessment, to help you get an idea of where you are currently at with spiritual practices and your spiritual health as we start this journey. You will need to make a free account to take the assessment.

Know that you are deeply loved and called to share that love with others. We hope to see you next week as we continue to learn and grow alongside you! 

Grace and Peace, 

Community Cup staff