A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 3: The Ce l ebrat i ons of a Di sc i p l i ned L i fe

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2 Cor. 4.7-12 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you. perplexed, but not driven to despair;

V. Connections for Urban Ministry Today

Ultimately, the only way to live in the Christian life is to die. It is through the cross that we live, and through our own sacrifice that we are set free to grow. There is one and only one place that is insulated against the temptations of the world, the warring lusts of our sin nature, and the deceiving, painful arrows of the devil – the graveyard! It is like the joke that has been told: “Recently, one of my friends stopped smoking, gambling, abusing drugs and alcohol, overeating, and even his terrible habits of cursing and lying. He did this all at once, all at the same time – and you know, it truly was a lovely funeral!” The key to living the Christian life is dying – dying to self, to sin, to the numberless excuses that rage through the mind when you first determine to follow through on the will of the Lord. Truly, the disciple of Jesus must die daily, hourly, even moment by moment. For it is only if we share in the death of Christ that we will in fact also share in his life. Answer the following questions openly and honestly about the dimensions of discipline covered in this session, relating them both to your personal walk with and witness to Christ where you live.

A. Connection to your personal discipleship

1. Am I committed to begin my own journey of self discipline? What things hinder me most at this point in my life from starting this life?

2. Do I currently follow any rule of discipline that I take seriously and that shapes my everyday life? If not, why not?

3. Who can I now count on to offer me the kind of spiritual direction I’ll need if I intend to go to another level of discipline in my Christian life?

4. What is the one area that the Holy Spirit most challenges and reminds me of that he would like me to address in terms of my own discipline?