Training
1 Timothy 4:6-16
As believers, we are called to live a disciplined life moving toward the goal of knowing Jesus, becoming more like Jesus, and being present with Jesus. Going the long distance, as a believer of King Jesus, is accomplished as we train and develop behaviors persistently over time.
KEY BIBLE VERSES
1 Timothy 4:6–16; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; 2 Peter 1:3–11
Hebrews 2:1; 3:6,14; 4:1,11; 5:11; 6:11–12; 10:36; 12:1,14,28
KEY QUOTES
"You cannot wing Christian endurance."
"The Christian life isn't necessarily a life that is complicated but a life that is committed."
"When you know what your priorities are, you will know what your sacrifices must be."
"Christian development doesn't happen haphazardly. It takes hard work."
"Train in the faith, and you'll see the results in your life."
"If you're not progressing in the faith, chances are you're not persistent in the faith."
DIGGING DEEPER
In the dictionary, discipline is defined as an "activity or experience that provides mental or physical training." Perseverance is defined as "doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." Commitment is defined as "the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc."
Based on these definitions, it is easy to see why discipline, perseverance and commitment are vital to our Christian faith. They are essential to developing iron faith and endurance as we go the distance of being disciples of King Jesus.
Looking at discipline first, we know that discipline is good for us and positions us for positive results. It helps us form habits and practices that create lasting faith that endures. These habits and practices don't save us and shouldn't be burdensome. They provide the framework for sustainable growth and a maturity of faith that will remain strong in good times and bad.
Perseverance is necessary because determination and grit to stick it out in the face of difficulty or suffering is a part of being a Christ follower. As we persevere, we have the promise and reward of pleasing God, being in an intimate relationship with Him and our ultimate heavenly reward. Romans 5:3-4 states, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Commitment closely follows since, for discipline and perseverance to help us in our walk effectively, we need commitment and intention. As we commit to discipline and perseverance, we are blessed as the Holy Spirit is able to work powerfully in our lives and teach, steer and guide us as we faithfully walk closer to God.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Christian Endurance Defined:
-Possessing faith that goes the distance in knowing Jesus, being known by Jesus, becoming more like Jesus and finally, being physically present with Jesus.
-Discipleship- Learning what it means to be human after the image and likeness of Jesus.
Main Point:
-Discipline the Dos that GO toward the goal. To go the distance, you need persistence.
Do you have a plan? You need a plan. (1 Timothy 4:7b; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Hebrews 12:1)
There are a set of disciplines or practices you will need to plan on. (Connect, Care, Cultivate, Commission)
Connect- Bible Intake, Prayer, Confession, Silence/Solitude/Corporate Worship.
Cultivate - Learning, Journaling, Christian Fellowship, Discipling Others.
Care - Serving/Caring, Stewardship.
Commission - Exemplifying Jesus, Inviting People, Sharing Testimony.
Relate, create and operate.
The Christian life isn't necessarily a life that is complicated but a life that is committed.
Do you know your priorities? You need to prioritize. (1 Timothy 4:15; 1 Timothy 4:16; Hebrews 12:1)
These are not just suggestions to improve your life, these are commands that are matters of life and death.
After having a plan and knowing your priorities, look at your life and work in margin and time to prioritize what you need to.
How do you prioritize? Put Time in its Place rather than letting Time Put you in your Place.
Take a time inventory. (Plot out or graph what you do with your time.)
Block your time. (What must I do? What should I do? What could I do?)
Leverage idle time. (i.e., in the waiting room, waiting in the car or line, working out.)
Learn to say no. (Say no to time fillers, time stealers and time killers.)
When you know what your priorities are, you will know what your sacrifices must be.
Do you show up with power? You need to show up with power. (1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 4:15; Hebrews 4:11; 12:14; 2 Peter 1:5, 10; 1 Corinthians 9:24)
Paul went all in on his training so that he would be all that Jesus wanted him to be. (Hebrews 5:11; Hebrews 6:11-12)
You might be lazy if you make excuses (Proverbs 26:13); you are doing nothing productive (Proverbs 26:14); you are lethargic (Proverbs 26:15); you think you have arrived (Proverbs 26:16).
Christian endurance is built upon concentrated energy.
If you don't put forth the effort, you'll not experience the output.
Christian development doesn't happen haphazardly. It takes hard work.
Do you see progress? You need to chart your progress. (1 Timothy 4:15; 2 Peter 1:5, 8)
Paul says if you grow in your faith, people will see the progress in your life.
Three keys to progress.
Develop an understanding of the fundamental truths.
Apply those truths in the area you want to progress in.
Receive honest assessments and feedback from those around you.
The only way to be fully human is through Jesus. Jesus is the filter in which we practice the disciplines that apply to the realm of being human.
If you're not progressing in the faith, chances are you're not persistent in the faith.
Do you have the right perspective? You need to keep a certain perspective. (1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Peter 1:10-11)
Your discipline and persistence demonstrate your faith.
Your discipline and persistence direct others to the faith.
God can use your discipline to give others direction.
God uses your faithfulness in training to produce fruit in training. This is soil that yields a crop that multiplies.
God uses your faithfulness to produce fruitfulness.
LIFE APPLICATION
How can we practice discipline and perseverance this week to increase our energy level for Christian training?
Spiritual Disciplines are:
Connect- Bible Intake, Prayer, Confession, Silence/Solitude/Corporate Worship.
Cultivate - Learning, Journaling, Christian Fellowship, Discipling Others.
Care - Serving/Caring, Stewardship.
Commission - Exemplifying Jesus, Inviting People, Sharing Testimony.
This week:
Make a simple commitment to one spiritual discipline and gain momentum in this discipline through steady progress. Take one step at a time and have patience as you learn, train, grow and develop this discipline. Start small and build up your spiritual muscles.
Learn about and practice a new or less familiar spiritual discipline, try it out, and see what you learn and how you feel.
Prioritize and determine if you can let go of some things to become more disciplined in an aspect of your faith walk. (Take a time inventory, block time, leverage idol time, and learn to say no.)
Sign up for Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines LIFE² Group starting September 10th. (Register)
Sign up for What is the Bible and Can it Be Trusted? LIFE² Group starting September 5th. (Register)
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
If you could master something, what would you choose to be a master of?
How can you practice being fully disciplined in your faith? (1 Kings 8:61)
Which spiritual discipline do you find easiest and which are most challenging to practice?
Why are discipline and perseverance necessary in our Christian walk?
How will discipline and perseverance in the Christian faith help when things are going well or difficult?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1-Discipline-1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Colossians 3:2; Romans 12:1-2
Day 2-Perseverance-1 Chronicles 16:11; Philippians 3:13-14; Romans 5:3-5
Day 3-Habits-1 Peter 5:8; Philippians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:15
Day 4-Training-1 Timothy 4:7-8; Philippians 3:12-14; 2 Timothy 3:16
Day 5-Commitment- Luke 14:27; 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 16:24
PRAYER
Lord, I ask you for discipline, perseverance and commitment so that I can endure and be faithful to you. Help me to discern what you want to teach me so that I can glorify you and have a robust faith that I can share with family, friends, neighbors and nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. You know my heart and desire to serve you and others who need to know about King Jesus. Let every minute of my life count so I follow you intentionally. Romans 12:2 states, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
