Faith Full, Part 3: “Private Spiritual Disciplines”
July 9, 2023

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Message Review

The second catalyst God uses to fuel our faith is Private Spiritual Discipline. What’s true about all private spiritual disciplines is that they help grow our relationship with Jesus in a way that nothing else does; and as our relationship with Jesus grows, so does our faith.

Main Point: Private Spiritual Disciplines grow our relationship with Jesus.

Scripture References: Matthew 6:1-6

Bible Study   

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Matthew 6:1-18. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (i.e. when it was written, who wrote it, who it was written to, what was going on before and/or after this specific passage, etc.)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage?  What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was Jesus’ original intent in this passage?  What main point(s) was Jesus trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you would like to discuss?

 Discussion Questions:

  • This Week’s Sermon was about God using Private Spiritual Disciplines as a catalyst to fuel our faith. What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon and why?

  • In the sermon, Pastor Ronnie said, “There’s no progress without discipline. In any area of life, you want to see progress, it will always require discipline” Do you believe that to be true?  Why or why not?  

  • Read Matthew 6:1-4 again together. What was Jesus saying about the Private Spiritual Discipline of Giving?

  • Read Matthew 6:5-6 again together. What was Jesus saying about the Private Spiritual Discipline of Prayer?

  • Jesus mentioned the word “reward” a few different times in Matthew 6:1-6.  What do you think is the ultimate reward Jesus was referring to?

  • Pastor Ronnie said the reward of every private spiritual discipline is how they help grow our relationship with Jesus.  Why is that the ultimate reward we could possibly experience?  Why do think private spiritual disciplines help grow our relationship with Jesus?

  • Tell about a time you incorporated a Private Spiritual Discipline into your life. How did that impact your faith and your relationship with Jesus?

  • Pastor Ronnie gave a 30-day challenge towards the end of the message to: (1) Pre-determine a daily rhythm of time with God and stay consistent, and (2) Pre-decide what to give and stick with it.  Are you going to take that challenge?  Why or why not?

  • What’s stopping you from incorporating private spiritual disciplines into your life?  What next step is Jesus inviting you to take?

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.