INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL TOOLS
A central concept in the life of a Disciple, is to be able to distinguish for her/himself what God is calling you to do in the various situations of life. It is good to have prayer partners and others you can share your joys and concerns with, but they may not be present when you need to make a decision. The Spiritual Tools are ways of practicing the presence of God and becoming open to God’s directions on a daily basis.

When we practice being present to God in the little things in life, then we are more familiar with that presence when it comes to the big things in life!

Theme # 1: Being a Part of the Body of Christ The Church

Being a "Two Winged" Church: One of the ways we listen to God is through the ways we participate in being a part of the Body of Christ. The early church was a church with two wings... a Celebration wing (temple, worship service) and Care & Discipling wing (meeting in homes, small groups). Both provide ways to listen to God.

Text: Acts 2:46, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:25 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

a. Sanctuary - Celebration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Once or twice a year) (Weekly)

b. Small Group or Prayer Partner - Discipleship 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Once or twice a year) (Weekly)

Things to do this week: This week in Worship ask yourself the question: "What is God saying to me today in worship?" "What guidance is God giving me for this coming week?" It might be in a prayer, song, sermon, or a time of reflection. Begin to notice the words of encouragement and direction that God will bring to you through your experience during Worship. If you are in a small group, notice how present Jesus feels to you. Ask yourself: "What direction is God suggesting that I follow today?" If you are not in a small group, be sure to set a time to meet with your prayer partner. Consider visiting a small group.

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Theme # 2: Times of Prayer

Prayer is the way we hear from and talk to God. It is central to the life of the Christian. Many feel they are not good at praying or don’t pray enough or don’t know how to pray. Here is an opportunity for you to grow in your relationship with God through prayer.

Text: Matthew 14:23 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

a. Listening for God’s direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Only talk to God during Prayer) (Daily Quiet time of 10 minutes or more)

b. Petitions on behalf of others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Rarely) (Include family, friends, neighbors, work associates and church)

Things to do this week: This week try to set aside just 3 minutes for daily prayer. After a week, try to add one minute a week until you reach a goal you feel comfortable with. If you are not sure how to pray you can use the outline below or ask your group leader, coach, or prayer partner for suggestions. Pray for people whose names or faces "pop" into your mind this week!

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"A Suggested Time of Prayer" Centering: Breathing in "love God" - Breathing out "love neighbor" Read a few verses from one of the Psalms. Adoration - "Glory to you Lord." Confession - "Forgive me for the times I’ve let you down..." Thanksgiving - "Thank you for ... in my life." Supplication - Prayers for: world, church, others, self Read a few verses from Scripture Reflect - What is God saying to me today? Quiet, Listening Time! Close with the Lord’s Prayer.

Theme # 3: Scripture Time

Although written long ago, God’s word is alive today. That is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of reading for quantity, read prayerfully so you can be touched by what God is saying to you today.

Text: 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the chart below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

a. Reading 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Listen on Sundays only) (Read chapter or Lectionary readings daily)

b. Listening for God’s personal word to you 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Didn’t know God was talking to me in Scripture) (Wait for a word/phrase to touch me, then quietly listen to the still small voice within)

Things to do this week: In the bulletin each Sunday, the Lectionary readings for the following Sunday are listed. You might read one a day to prepare yourself for hearing them on Sunday. Try the steps below as you read scripture this week:

Step I: Read a passage of scripture aloud, slowly Identify the word or phrase that catches your attention, touches your heart, or jumps out at you! Mark your word or phrase or write it down Step II: Read the word or phrase a second time Where does this scripture touch my life today? Make some notes on your reflections Step III: Read the word or phrase a third time What do I believe God wants me to do or be, based upon this text? Are there any ways in which God is inviting me to change my attitudes or life Closing: Include this word or phrase in a prayer of supplication or thanksgiving Close with the Lord’s Prayer

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Theme # 4: Gift Awareness

Gift awareness is one of the keys to understanding our purpose here on earth. God wouldn’t send us here with a purpose without giving us the necessary gifts to accomplish that purpose! Later on in this manual you will have a chance to reflect upon specific types of gifts that you have already been given.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Ephesians 4:7 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Gift awareness: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Didn’t know I had any Gifts from God) (Based upon my Gifts, I have a sense of God’s purpose for my life)

Things to do this week: At home, work, school, leisure, this week, begin to notice the activities that you really enjoy doing (even those we have to do!). Make a list and reflect on what might be similar about each of those activities. (When I did this, I noticed that my activities all had an aspect of "organization" about them.) Begin to reflect upon your life history, both the ups and the downs. Because of those experiences, what gifts do you now have that life itself has helped you to develop? (Examples: the ability to persevere, to rise above personal tragedies, which helps me to be sensitive to others in similar situations, etc.)

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Theme # 5: Giving / Treasure

Percentage financial giving is a good indication of the maturity of a Christian in our society. That is because we are such a materialistic nation and people. John Wesley felt that financial giving was a means of remembering where our blessings have come from. We are but laborers in God’s vineyard. Giving taps into a Universal law... the more we give, the more we get! This is a challenging and exciting tool for Christian growth. The faster we can move toward and beyond the tithe, the more God will entrust us with!

Text: Proverbs 19:17; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Giving - Treasure: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Give less than 2% of income to others) (Giving a tithe of income plus other offerings)

Things to do this week: The first thing to do is to figure out what percentage of your income you are giving away. You decide what to calculate it on: before or after taxes, take home or take home + benefits, etc. As more income or gifts come your way, begin to give away the next percentage up the ladder as you work your way toward the tithe. If God gives you the courage, start right now giving away 10% of your income. Then begin to notice what opportunities begin to come your way that were not available before you began to tithe!

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Theme # 6: Service - Giving Time and Talents

There is a proverb that goes: "If you want to be Happy: for one hour... take a nap, for one day ... go fishing, for one month... get married, for one year ... inherit a fortune, for a life time... help others!" In March of 1988 on the Today Show there was a segment where scientists were saying that helping others releases a certain enzyme in the brain which lowers stress, makes one feel good, and is accompanied by a number of other health benefits. We Christians knew that all along!

Text: John 15:12, Matthew 25:34-40 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below? 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

Service - Time & Talent: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 (Too busy to give time to others) (Using Gifts in a number of ways on behalf of others)

Things to do this week: Through the church or school or work, find a service project that matches your gifts and likes. Help a friend or family member with a special need that they have. Is there a service project you’ve been working at for some time? Invite friends, family, or church (group) members to join you next time you volunteer your services. This way you mentor others in an uplifting experience. Servant evangelism is a non threatening way to introduce others to God’s love. Find something that someone needs and give it away (sodas, manual labor, light bulbs, batteries, washing cars, etc.) with a card that says: "We are doing a community service project to show God’s love in a positive way. No strings attached. - First Church of Christ - Unionville, CT 673- 2796." Take nothing for your service! This type of evangelism gets people to begin to think about the life of faith. Occasionally they call to find out more!

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Theme # 7: Invitation

When we are on the journey of faith, occasionally we forget that others might like to travel that path of faith. If Sears had oil or clothes on sale we wouldn’t hesitate to share that information with our neighbor or friends. We are aware of God’s love and forgiveness in our lives and we know what a difference it makes to us. Isn’t that awareness more important that an oil or clothes sale!? When we think about inviting other people to join us in the Body of Christ, the Church, we are talking about inviting the "Unchurched." (Unchurched includes both believers who are not attending church and unbelievers.) The unchurched refers specifically to those who have not been to church in 6 months. (We are not talking about kidnapping those that are already going to another church!)

Text: Acts 2:47, John 3:16 How does this text relate to this theme for me? Use space below for your notes.

Reflection Questions: 1. Where do you feel you are currently on the charts below 2. Where is God calling you to be and by when? 3. What steps might you take to help you get there? (example: ask your prayer partner to pray for you in this area) 4. Review this theme occasionally alone and with your partner, to see how you are doing and to update your goals.

a. To Fellowship 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 (Haven’t started praying for others to know God) (Praying, Listening, Inviting others to my group or worship) b. To Faith 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 (Can’t verbalize my own Faith Story) (Sharing my Story with others when God calls)

Things to do this week: Notice the order of these steps: 1. Make a list of 3 people whom God brings to your mind (friends, work / school associates, neighbors, relatives). 2. Pray over this list daily for the next couple of weeks. Ask that God would make it clear to you which of these people to invite to Worship or your Small Group. 3. When the opportunity arises (after two weeks of daily prayer) invite them to join you at Worship, your Small Group, or as a Prayer Partner. Offer to pick them up and bring them. Don’t be too surprised if they ask you! It’s happened! Write out your story of faith. Outline it in a brief format: My struggle...; How God intervened in that struggle (personally, through a friend, spiritually); What my life is like now, knowing God’s presence in my life.... The day may come when your story will be a pivotal blessing in the life of another person.

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