Okay, I promise this isn't a copout. I feel that our discussion about devotions has been too important to move on to another topic quite yet. If you haven't had the chance to read through all the comments on last week's post, I'd encourage you to scroll down and read the great ideas people have posted. I'd also like to focus this week's conversation on two specific aspects of personal devotions.
1. Matt2 referenced a five component model for spiritual growth, and I think that idea is intriguing. I'd love to know more about what those five components are. It also makes me wonder if we should only focus our devotional time on reading the Bible and praying, or if there are other ways to conduct our devotions. Like reading a thought-provoking book by a Christian author like Ravi Zacharias or Rob Bell. I think the question that comes to mind about this issue is, what are the vital components for our devotions? I guess that would be question one.
2. I love the way Matt (it's so confusing with two Matt's) said, "If discussions about faith became part of everyday conversation, just something we're always thinking and talking about, how great would that be? Why reserve it for church or conferences or even blogs? It's so easy to get wrapped up in yourself and forget about God, especially when we relegate God to places or times." That makes me wonder about our current perception about devotions. Does the Bible give us any guidance on how we should pursue our personal devotions? Is the 15-20 minutes a day model something we've created on our own? Would our devotions be more dynamic if they were done as a community as often as privately? I think my essential question for this aspect of devotions would be, is there a specific model set up in the Bible regarding how we conduct our personal devotions? I know these two questions are related, but I think they are extremely important to ask if we're to establish healthy, nourishing devotional lives.
One more small housekeeping issue for you all to ponder. I have the blog set up so that I get emailed whenever a new comment is posted. It's very convenient in that I always know when there's new content to read and consider. I'm wondering if any of you would like for me to set it up so that you are sent an email as well. I know some of you would prefer not to have the comments come to your inbox, so don't feel bad at all if you prefer just to keep checking the site for new comments. I also know that some of might like to know when something new is posted, so if you'd like me to add you to that list, just let me know.
2 comments:
I think you can do devotions in a variety of ways. Right now, I am enjoying reading through the bible but at other times it is helpful to have a thought provoking book. Sometimes it is helpful to followup something from Sunday. I would be open to doing a group type study. We might even find one that is online that we can all download. My church bible study did that a few times I think. I would like to get emails as a new post comes up. It will help remind me to check.
I think the real strength of this group could be in the accountability it offers. To challenge ourselves in keeping up with devotions and making them a vital part of our days. Just like a good fitness program, it is so much more successful if there is someone along the way that just makes sure you show up. Although my devotion time remains very personal, it has always been more consistent when I do it at the same time. I think that it becomes very difficult when we just assume that we'll "fit it in whenever space allows." I think we all pay it lip service - that it is important, but if it really is, why do so many of us not set a time aside in the day for it. It's like the five-hundred pound guy that says he's too busy to exercise at night and isn't a morning person, so can't do it in the morning. Everyone can see that he needs to do it (and if he was honest with himself, he would admit it), but that it can't be that important to him if he doesn't set aside the time for it.
What if we made it a challenge amongst ourselves to have devotions for a set amount of time (maybe even the same time) for the next thirty days? I always feel like I can try any challenge for thirty days (except that tofu one).
Another rambling post form reedspeed
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