Practicing the Faith: A Heart for Christ Alone

We've begun a new series on practicing the faith. Following Jesus is a way of life. In the words of the apostle Paul, it is about Christ being formed in us. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Ever since the Christian church was established, Christians have "practiced the faith." They have practiced spiritual disciplines that put them in a position to love God and to love their neighbor. That is the purpose of spiritual disciplines: they help us to develop an intimacy with God and a fitness for service.

This Fall we are getting back to the basics with the marks of discipleship. This week we consider the most important mark, a heart for Christ alone. This mark often involves realignment of our priorities. We move from fitting Jesus into our agenda to being shaped by Jesus' agenda, from trusting in our plans and abilities to placing all our trust in Jesus. A heart for Christ alone transforms our lives as we relinquish our selfish pursuits and offer our whole selves into the service of Jesus.

Day 1:
Jesus' words in Luke 14:26-27 provide a glimpse into why being a disciple challenges the status quo. Read various translations to see how different words are used to try and convey the challenge of being a disciple:

You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me. (CEV)

Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NSRV)

Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple. (The Message)

Day 2:
We begin this series by considering what it means to have a heart for Christ alone. Re-read Luke 14:26-27. How does this reading help explain what it means to have a heart for Christ alone? Consider how this might be challenging for you.

Day 3:
As Pastor John pointed out in his sermon, practicing faith in the burbs has it's own challenges. Jesus' call to follow him is a call that challenges the values of suburban life: the values of consumerism, comfort, security, and individualism. Read Matthew 16:21-26. How does this reading challenge you where you live?

Day 4:
Glenn McDonald says that a heart for Christ alone is the first mark of a disciple and its priority cannot be negotiated. However, we don't always travel a linear path in our faith walk. Consider one area of your life where you have substantially surrendered yourself to the leadership of Christ? What is one area where you continue to struggle?

Day 5:
Read Matthew 11:25-30. We may struggle with practicing the marks of discipleship, but is it really meant to be that way?

Dear Jesus,
Why do we linger, why do we wait;
We carry on without You.
You've always been here, but still we hesitate;
You have much in store for us,
if only we would come unto You.
Amen.

Resources:
The Disciple Making Church by Glenn McDonald
The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
www.biblegateway.com