Week 4 - Study thoughts - by Lyla

STUDY

Purpose of spiritual disciplines is total transformation of the person—aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits

Nowhere is this purpose more clearly seen than in the Discipline of study.

Paul tells us we are transformed by the renewal of the mind Romans 12:2

Phil 4:8 “Finally my brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Many Christians remain in bondage to fears and anxieties simply because they do not avail themselves of the Discipline of study. They may be faithful in church attendance and earnest in fulfilling their religious duties and still they are not changed………

Because they have never taken up one of the central ways God uses to change us, study.

Without a knowledge of the truth we will not be free.

Many have been brought into the most cruel bondage by false teaching.

Matt 23:15 “You traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”

What is Study?

A specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction.

Remember the mind will always take on an order conforming to the order upon which it concentrates. Perhaps we observe a tree or read a book. We see it, feel it, understand it, draw conclusions from it. What we study determines the kind of habits that are formed.

Meditation is devotional, study is analytical. The two “books” are verbal and nonverbal.

Four steps: repetition, concentration, comprehension and reflection

Study is dependent on humility—we must come as a student, not a teacher

Vast difference between study of scripture and devotional reading of scripture

We are seeking to be controlled by the intent of the author, not spiritual ecstasy. We want life transforming truth, not ecstasy

Average Sunday School class is too superficial and devotional to help us study the Bible

Audit classes at seminary, serious Bible courses, 2 to 3 day retreat or reading same passage every day for a month. In addition to Bible some experiential classics in Christian literature: “Confessions of St Augustine”, “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis---many other suggestions

Remember the key to discipline of study is not reading many books, but experiencing what we do read.

Another section on nonverbal study such as study of flowers or birds. The handiwork of the Creator can speak to us and teach us, if we will listen

Study involves four steps

1. Repetition channels the mind, even if it is without understanding it For example, regular rehearsal of the deeds of God, inner mind thus trained Ie psychocybernetics---affirmations, ie I am a good person etc science has found changes the mind over time

2. Concentration learning is vastly increased. We are a distracted society—ie TV or Radio on while we do something else. The natural ability of brain is enhanced when focused

3. Comprehension focuses on knowledge of the truth (Jesus said it is the Knowledge of the truth that sets us free. That “eureka” experience when we suddenly understand what something means

4. Reflection defines significance of what we are studying. Brings us to see something from God’s perspective. When we ponder the meaning of what we study, we come to hear and see in a new ay. Demands also humility, we must come as a student not a teacher

Next week... Mandi shares on Simplicity