Practices: Habits of an apprentice
Series Resources
John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did Amazon
Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth Amazon
Robert Mulholland, Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation Amazon
John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People Amazon
Peter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World Amazon
Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature Amazon
Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ Amazon
Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship Amazon
Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Amazon
Watch the SERIES BUMPER
Introduction
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
Which describes your life as demonstrated by your actions: a CHRISTIAN in name only or an APPRENTICE who is actively seeking to live for and arrange all of your life around Jesus?
Who are you becoming? Discuss how you have noticed spiritual growth in the last year.
Reflect: Foster writes: “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem…. The Disciplines [or practices] of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm…. God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings [not just spiritual giants]: people who have jobs, who care for children, who wash dishes and mow lawns. “The Spiritual Disciplines are not hard [but they] are immediately faced with two difficulties” (2-3).
Philosophical. Because of the materialistic or “Nature is all there is” base of our culture, many doubt whether it’s possible to even access the metaphysical world of God.
Practical. “We simply do not know how to go about exploring the inner life,” how to practice the Disciplines, how to be transformed by God.
Which is hardest for you: The philosophical difficulties or the practical difficulties? Be specific. List out the hurdles.
What is your current Rule of Life, or Trellis, that guides the trajectory of your life toward a deeper relationship with God?
How does it help you to focus on improving just 1% instead of the expectation to change overnight?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
What has been your experience with the spiritual disciplines?
Practices to Help Us Love God Well
2. Sabbath
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
Watch the full 30 second “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” Snickers Commercial (Video)
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
How often do you act out of character because of being tired, over-scheduled, busy, or stressed out?
How often during the week do you carve out “space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on?”
To what degree do you agree with what John Mark Comer says, ““The spiritual journey begins with rest….When I offer spiritual direction to people, I often begin by prescribing sleep, margin, time off work–rest. Because chronically exhausted, sleep-deprived, overbusy people are not loving, peaceful, and full of joy… Rest is essential to apprenticeship under Jesus” (182)?
How much does what Howard Baker says about a sinkhole kind of spiritual life describe you: “People can be so blindsided by unfilled needs they have ignored a sudden drive released from a reservoir within, practically catapulting them out of the ‘image’ they have struggled to keep for years. When the soul is dying, even good people can do unexpected things” (Soul Keeping, 45)
What could (or maybe should) be included in your stop-do list?
How can you arrange your life to include a Sabbath rest in your busy schedule, whether that be a full day, a part of a day, or regularly scheduled hours in several days?
Which of the following ideas might help you better practice the spiritual discipline of Sabbath?
Set Aside Regular Time for Rest - a day, a part of a day.
Unplug from Work and Technology - Create boundaries. Schedule a time to focus on God, family, and your inner being.
Engage in Worship and Community - Participate in communal worship and fellowship. Make a commitment to find fellowship.
Practice Restorative Activities - Engage in activities that refresh your body, mind, and spirit. This might include nature walks, kayaking, reading, prayer, meditation, or creative pursuits.
Reflect and Renew - Use your Sabbath to reflect on God’s goodness and renew your spiritual focus.
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Watch “Sabbath: Learn Why the Number 7 is Used so Much in the Bible” by The Bible Project. (Video)
Order one of the books above from Amazon and start your own (or with a friend or two) exploration of PRACTICES.
3. Solitude
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
How comfortable are you with silence in your daily life? Why do you think silence can be challenging or easy for you?
Watch Nooma: Noise [10:23 min]
What stood out to you?
How awkward was that break?
Reflect on a time when you experienced deep peace or clarity during a period of solitude. What contributed to that experience?
Practice a deep breathing technique that can help with stress, panic, anxiety, and simply putting you in a position to explore your inner world. Here is ONE technique that might help called the Box Breathing Technique from WebMD. Start your mornings with several of these.
In what ways does the modern world encourage or discourage us from embracing solitude? How can we resist the negative influences?
How might silence impact your ability to listen—both to others and to God? What changes could you make to prioritize listening more effectively?
Think about the role of distractions in your life. How do they hinder your ability to connect with yourself and with God in moments of solitude?
What fears or anxieties arise when you think about spending extended periods of time alone? How might facing these fears enrich your spiritual journey?
How might your understanding of God deepen through regular practices of silence and solitude? In what ways do you encounter God differently in moments of quiet reflection?
Which of the following might you try this week?
Nature Walks: Take regular walks in nature. Listen to the sounds of creation. Take a hike!!!
Journaling: Set aside time each day to journal your thoughts, prayers, and reflections.
Digital Detox: Disconnect from technology for a specific period of time.
Artistic Expression: Engage in creative activities such as painting, drawing, or playing a musical instrument during your solitary moments.
Solitary Meals: Occasionally, dine alone in silence, savoring each bite mindfully.
Stargazing: Spend evenings under the stars, contemplating the vastness of the universe and your place within it.
A Silent Retreat:
Imagine your ideal retreat into solitude. What would it look like?
Plan periodic silent retreats where you spend a day or more in complete silence, away from distractions, focusing solely on prayer, meditation, and reflection.
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
What did you decide on how you could incorporate Sabbath into you IAP?
How can you practice the discipline of silence and solitude as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Schedule a 24-hour spiritual retreat. Plan ahead.
Read Chapter 7 of Celebration of Discipline by Foster
4. Prayer/meditation
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
Video of Lydia and her prayer
Prayer Handout [2 page-handout] or [5-page, larger print handout]
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
Which of the two difficulties (philosophical or practical) affect your daily routine of praying to God?
What barriers affect your ability to converse with God as Father or as a powerful Creator?
Set an alarm to remind you to pray. (Find a time that won’t normally interrupt your daily activities, like a sermon!!!)
Use Post-it notes. Use your reminders app. Get a prayer partner.
Simply pray: Dear God, Abba Father, Creator God, or like Jesus, “Our Father in Heaven…” and then pour out your soul…
Watch The Kingdom of God by the Bible Project people. [5:44 min]
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of prayer as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Choose one of the prayer practices from the Prayer Handout (links above in Session Matierals) and incorporate it into your regular routine
Watch this video tutorial explaining and guiding you through Lectio Divina. Use one of the passages below. Lectio Divina, a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer, involves four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation).
Instructions and sample passages to practice Lectio Divina [Read]
Here are 20 more passages that you could use to practice the prayer practice of Lectio Divina that are conducive to this practice, offering depth for contemplation and spiritual enrichment:
Psalm 23:1-6 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..."
Isaiah 55:1-3 - "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters..."
Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes
John 1:1-14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God..."
John 15:1-17 - The Vine and the Branches
Romans 8:31-39 - "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Philippians 2:5-11 - The Christ Hymn
Colossians 3:12-17 - "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved..."
Ephesians 3:14-21 - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Way of Love
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 - Treasures in Jars of Clay
Galatians 5:16-26 - Life by the Spirit
1 Peter 2:9-10 - "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood..."
James 1:2-8 - Testing of Your Faith
Revelation 21:1-7 - A New Heaven and a New Earth
Psalm 139:1-18 - "O Lord, you have searched me and known me..."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."
Luke 10:38-42 - Mary and Martha
John 6:35-40 - "I am the bread of life..."
Hebrews 12:1-3 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses..."
Read chapter 3 of Celebration of Discipline by Foster
5. Fasting
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
Here are 15 practice ideas (from ChatGPT) for fasting that go beyond just abstaining from food, each aimed at deepening one's dependence on God and spiritual growth as an apprentice of Jesus:
Partial Food Fast: Skip one meal a day or refrain from certain types of food (like sweets, meat, or caffeine) to focus on prayer and spiritual reflection during the times you would normally eat.
Media Fast: Abstain from all forms of media, such as television, movies, video games, and music, dedicating that time to reading the Bible, prayer, or meditation.
Social Media Fast: Take a break from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to minimize distractions and foster a deeper connection with God.
Digital Fast: Refrain from using digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers (except for essential tasks) to reduce noise and create space for spiritual practices.
Entertainment Fast: Avoid recreational activities like going to the movies, attending concerts, or engaging in hobbies, redirecting your attention to spiritual growth and community service.
Spending Fast: Commit to not spending money on non-essential items for a set period, using the savings to support charitable causes or those in need.
Talking Fast: Practice periods of silence, refraining from unnecessary conversations, and using the time to listen to God through prayer and reflection.
Sleep Fast: Wake up earlier or stay up later than usual to spend additional time in prayer, Bible study, or meditation.
Comfort Fast: Give up a comfort or luxury item, such as your favorite chair or bed, to remind yourself of the sacrifices Jesus made and to focus on spiritual disciplines.
Activity Fast: Refrain from certain activities or habits that consume time, such as shopping or excessive exercise, dedicating that time to spiritual practices.
Negativity Fast: Commit to abstaining from negative thoughts, speech, and criticism, focusing instead on gratitude, encouragement, and positive affirmations.
Busy-ness Fast: Simplify your schedule by eliminating non-essential commitments, allowing more time for prayer, rest, and reflection.
Thought Fast: Focus on fasting from anxious or worrisome thoughts, intentionally trusting God with your concerns through prayer and scriptural meditation.
Technology Fast: Take a break from all technological devices, embracing a day of rest and contemplation without the distractions of modern technology.
Luxury Fast: Abstain from luxury items or experiences, such as dining out, spa treatments, or high-end products, redirecting your focus on spiritual disciplines and charitable giving.
These practices can help deepen one's dependence on God, foster spiritual growth, and cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and humility as an apprentice of Jesus.
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of fasting as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Try one of the fasting practices
Read Chapter 4 of Celebration of Discipline by Foster
6. Study Scripture (God’s Word)
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
Read the Introduction to The Lost World of Genesis 1 by John Walton (Chapter 1 of his book is also included in this PDF. But at least read the introduction.)
Read the blog post, “Becoming a Disciple” by James Emery White
Read “Bible Interpretation: 4 Challenges and How to Overcome Them”
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
In what ways do you love God with the following and your neighbor as yourself:
with your mind (thinking Christianly)
with your heart (evoking emotionally
love your neighbor as yourself (love compassionately)
with your strength (living obediently)
with your soul (seeking firstly the kingdom)
What do you do more of, devotional reading (how does it apply to me?) or deeper study of the Scriptures (what does it mean?)?
In Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God, Gary L Thomas describes nine different spiritual styles or “sacred pathways.” We all love and connect to God in different ways. God created us all with certain personalities and spiritual temperaments, which make us gravitate toward certain types of practices and prayers. God wants us to feel free to worship, according to the way he made us. A sacred pathway describes the way we relate to God, and how we draw near to him. We can identify our sacred pathway and use practices that come naturally to that pathway as an easier way of connecting to God. We do not necessarily have to have just one pathway…. Which ones do you resonate with the most?
Naturalists: Loving God Outdoors
Sensates: Loving God with the Senses
Traditionalists: Loving God through Ritual and Symbol
Ascetics: Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity
Activists: Loving God through Confrontation
Caregivers: Loving God by Loving Others
Enthusiasts: Loving God with Mystery and Celebration
Contemplatives: Loving God through Adoration
Intellectuals: Loving God with the mind
How to study the Bible more effectively. Ask great questions BEFORE you apply it to your life:
Pray. Yes, start here. Ask the Spirit of God to guide you, but you have to do the work too.
What’s the genre? Historical literature is different from poetry and must be interpreted differently. Narrative is different from didactic or teaching literature.
What are the cultural issues and differences? How is this message embedded in their culture? “We must be aware that the grid of our cultural values and priorities sometimes may inadvertently lead us to adopt an interpretation that is not present in the text. For example, in the Western world, individualism pervades our thinking. As a result, we may impose an individualistic framework on texts that the author intended to have a corporate meaning” (Zondervan Academic blog).
What is the author’s intent & purpose? You’ve heard the phrase, “Lost in Translation.” That is so true of the Bible. The Bible wasn’t written in English. It was translated from Hebrew and Greek. And there is a lot lost in our distance
How would the audience have understood this message? What was their situation?
What is the context? Whatever you do, don’t just read a verse or two without understanding the bigger picture. What is going on before and after the text you are studying? What does that chapter mean? What does the whole book or letter have to do with? Is it in the Old Testament (Old Covenant) or the New Testament (New Covenant)?
Try reading a book of the Bible (say, I John, Philippians, or James) every day for a month. Try to immerse yourself into the text.
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLANS (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Studying God’s Word as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in more in-depth study, go to Lincoln Christian Institute (the reinvented Lincoln Christian University) whose new mission is to train lay leaders in the churches. (I am a part of the new ministry of LCI.) For the 2024-2025 academic year, they are offering 8-week courses in two certificate tracks: Bible & Theology and Christian Ministry. Each course consists of 7 weeks of independent learning followed by a retreat with all of the learners on 8th week. For right now, as LCI is getting more organized, email your interest in the courses to apply@lincolnchristianintitute.org.
Bible & Theology certificate cohort - each course costs $450
History of Israel
Life of Christ
Acts and the Early Church
Interpreting Scripture
Theology of the Restoration Movement
Christian Ministry certificate cohort - each course costs $200
Discipleship
Leadership
Christ and Culture
Preaching and Teaching
Change & Conflict
Bible Reading Plans - there are many approaches to reading and studying the Bible. Here are several reading plans that you can choose: read the Bible from Gen to Rev in 1 year: read through the Gospels in 90 days, read the Bible Chronologically (in order of events), or use the 8-day plan to get an Introduction to the Christian faith. Check them out.
Bible Project Reading Plans - over 30 different ones
YouVersion Bible Reading Plans - tons!
Read the book The Lost World of Genesis 1 by John Walton (Amazon)
Read the book Saving the Bible from Ourselves: Learning to Read & Live the Bible Well by Glenn R. Paauw (Amazon)
Read the book How NOT to Read the Bible by Dan Kimball (Amazon)
Read the book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing the Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by Richards and O’Brien (Amazon)
7. Study Our World (God’s World)
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video (Watch)
Session Slide Deck (Public) [My notes]
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
To what degree do you seek truth from General Revelation sources?
How did you answer the True/False quiz question: “The only truth there is can only be found in the Bible.”? What is your attitude toward sources of truth in addition to the Bible?
When have you been guilty of engaging in biblicism, worshipping the Bible over that of seeking to know God through Jesus Christ?
When have you been guilty of engaging in deism, believing in the Creator but not believing that God is NOT involved in the world?
How can you live in the tension of the messy middle and hold both Special Revelation and General Revelation as filters in your pursuit of truth and what is right?
How often do you view the language of God in chemistry, physics, and math, and how might that awareness motivate you to learn more of those disciplines?
List 8-10 places where you see the thumbprints of God (from General Revelation) that convince you that there is a God.
How might the phrase, “All truth is God’s Truth,” impact your willingness to wrestle with ideas from other disciplines in addition to the Bible?
Commit to memorizing William Lane Craig’s five arguments that all Christians need to memorize to better respond to people who don’t believe in God.
God is the best explanation…
…for why there is something rather than nothing
…for the beginning of the universe
…for the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life
…for objective moral values and duties in the world
…for the historical facts of Jesus of Nazareth
Watch the short video from William Lane Craig explaining the existence of God using General Revelation philosophy, reason, and logical argument. One can’t prove it from Special Revelation (the Bible), but it demonstrates his thumbprints. He said that every Christian needs to memorize these five arguments so they can respond when ask to give a reason for the hope they have in Jesus (I Peter 3:15-16).
Wrestle with the article by Leith Anderson about how to marry both Special and General Revelation.
How can the Wesleyan Quadrilateral help you better interpret the Scriptures (Special Revelation)?
Read The Wesleyan Quadrilateral article to understand what this is a bit more.
Watch the video of the author of the above article explaining it [10:16 min].
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Studying God’s World as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Work on asking great questions to help you to dive deeper into all aspects of life. Check out my webpage for Asking Great Questions.
Read Francis Schaeffer’s Call to End the Sacred-Secular Divide
8. Worship
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Worship (individually and corporately) as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Practices to Help Us Love Others Well
9. Community/hospitality
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video [Watch]
McKnight, “Tov Churches Nurture A People-First Culture” from A Church Called TOV
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of community and hospitality as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
Ask questions to get to know each other and form a deeper connection. Try these:
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, (BESIDES JESUS!) who would it be & why?
What job would you be terrible at?
What's a unique experience you've had that you'll never forget?
What’s a part of your story that doesn’t often get told?
What life events, people, or encounters shaped your personality and made you who you are?
See more great questions on my Getting to Know You: Asking Great Questions page
Be a community builder
Welcome newcomers. Invite them to sit with you.
Learn names (work at getting them into your long-term memory)
Smile. Listen. Be curious. Ask questions. Pray. Encourage. Love.
Get involved. Use your talents & gifts. We need you
Practice Hospitality: Open your home or space to others, creating environments for deeper connection. Commit to inviting someone into your home once a month.
When you feel safe, be vulnerable, share your story.
Join a small group at HCC
Our current small groups are:
Sundays (8:00 - 9:00 am) - Steve Wissmiller
Tuesdays (7:00 - 9:00 pm) - Dar Evans
Wednesdays (9:00 - 11:00 am) - Wilber Wertz
Thursdays (12:00 - 2:00 pm - Herb Litwiller
Thursdays (7:00 - 9:00 pm) - Candi Evans
Contact Rondel if you would like to be a part of or start a new small group
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Start a small group with the purpose of “doing life together,” which includes fellowship, study, and doing things together.
Read A Church Called TOV by Scot McKnight
10. Service/submission
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Service and Submission as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
Consider ways to serve
Volunteer to serve with the ministries of HCC. We need YOU.
Volunteer to be an ambassador servant in the community
Adopt-a-Block: Choose a block in the community to serve regularly with acts of kindness, like cleaning up litter, setting up trash cans after a windy day, offering to pick up groceries, etc.
Walk across the street or next door with freshly baked banana bread or welcome to the neighborhood gift. I get Yankee Candles.
Support for Single Parents: Create a network to help.
Community Garden: Start a community garden or create a food box for people of the community.
Send praying for you or birthday cards OR start a prayer team
Value everyone! Notice the overlooked. Stand up for justice.
Let others get the credit
Listen... without planning a response. Just shut up and listen.
Seek to be aware of others’ needs & meet them as best you can
Notice the body language of a person who’s hurting
Do the unexpected! Go the extra mile!
Nothing is beneath you! Roll up your sleeves.
Be humble. Live by, “Nothing to prove, Nothing to lose.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Read the Service Chapter from Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline
11. Generosity
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Generosity as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
Be Creative. Here are some Creative, Fun, and Practical ways to be generous":
Donate blood - We have a Blood Drive next Sunday, September 8th, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. To book your appointment, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401 or Candi Evans at (309) 473-2771.
Sponsor a child with Compassion International It costs $43 a month/plus a Christmas gift!
Pay for Someone's Meal: At a restaurant or drive-thru, anonymously cover the bill for the person behind you.
Leave Generous Tips: Tip service workers generously, especially those in less recognized positions.
Create Care Packages: Assemble and distribute care packages with essentials for the homeless, college students, or those in need.
Gift Cards for Teachers: Purchase gift cards for teachers to help them buy classroom supplies.
Give Time: Volunteer at a local charity, food bank, or community center. We talked about service last week!
Donate Unused Items: Clean out your home and donate gently used items to those in need.
Support Missionaries: Financially support a missionary or mission project that aligns with your church’s vision.
Make something and give it away OR donate it for the HCC Youth Auction at Mt Hope Township Community Hall (McLearn, IL) on Sat, Nov. 9, with food ($15) from Hink’s Smokehouse starting at 4 pm with the live auction starting at 6:00 pm. All proceeds go to fund the HCC children and youth ministry.
Offer Free Babysitting: Provide free babysitting services to parents who may need a break.
Help with Groceries: Offer to shop for or with someone who may find it difficult, like elderly neighbors.
Buy 10 Walmart or DG $10 gift cards and just give them away at random times. Leave them for the waitstaff or the homeless.
Send Encouragement Notes: Write and send handwritten notes to uplift and encourage someone. Encourage away!
Give away compliments.
Tell me what you did with the $5 you were given using THIS ANONYMOUS FORM. Have fun with this.
READ the stories of Generosity from HCC people and what they did with their $5
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Be generous with your giving through HCC!
Commit to being a Generous giver to the work and ministry of HCC. There are 4 ways to give. Check ‘em out.
12. Witness
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Witness as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
Tell your story. Write down a few points for each of the following. (Be prepared to give an answer.
What was life like before Jesus?
How did you encounter Jesus?
What has life been after encountering Jesus?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Read the article, “Belonging before Believing” by James Emery White
Read I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus by Evetts and Shaupp
13. Celebration
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
We have been working on our own INDIVIDUALIZED APPRENTICE PLAN (IAP)
How can you practice the discipline of Celebration as a regular habit for your fruit of the Spirit trellis (Rule of Life)?
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
14. Next Steps
SESSION MATERIALS
Sermon Video [Watch]
PERSONAL OR SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What are key takeaways or what stood out to you from this week’s learning experience?
Work through this Practices: Habits of an Apprentice Next Steps Handout
FOR FURTHER STUDY or NEXT STEPS
Review the Lessons above that you need to work on