one great task

---

GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes

GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture in Personal

SESSION 6

ONE GREAT TASK

Study Guide (PSG) page 70.

DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 70): When have you

The Point

been entrusted with an

Each of us must share the gospel.

important task?”

The Bible Meets Life The struggle to find hope and

GUIDE: Review The Bible

purpose is universal. Earlier in this

Meets Life (PSG, p. 61). Read

study, we saw that we were created

the following quote: “I have

to be with God and live for His

two kinds of problems: the

glory, and we will find that purpose

urgent and the important.

through our trust in the work of

The urgent are not important,

Christ. Many people have yet to learn that truth, and they continue to struggle

and the important are never

with the quest for hope and purpose. As believers, we have a responsibility to

urgent.” President Dwight D.

lead them to find that hope and purpose in Christ.

Eisenhower spoke these words

The Passage

in 1954 to a gathered group of church leaders. SAY: ”Some things in life are both urgent and important. One task stands out as both urgent and important: sharing the good news of Jesus with others.”

2 Timothy 2:1-10

The Setting Second Timothy is one of Paul’s “pastoral letters” (along with 1 Timothy and Titus). This designation reflects letters dealing with ministry issues written by a veteran minister to younger colleagues. We might also call it a “prison” or “captivity” letter. Paul wrote four prison letters during the imprisonments mentioned at the end of Acts (Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon), but many scholars think 2 Timothy came later, after Acts ended, as Paul’s last letter.

GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 61): Each of us must share the gospel.

72

S e ss i o n 6

STUDY THE BIBLE

2 Timothy 2:1-2 1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in

2 Timothy 2:1-2 10 minutes

Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many

witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share the message of Christ with others.

READ: Ask a volunteer to read 2 Timothy 2:1-2.

SUMMARIZE: Paul had

Verse 1. Paul addressed the letter to “Timothy, my dearly loved son” (1:2), and he repeated my son in this verse. Timothy was not Paul’s biological son, but Paul had a very close relation to this younger man. Paul met Timothy at Lystra (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy was the son of a Jewish Christian woman and a Greek father. Paul had Timothy circumcised, not as a requirement for salvation but to enable Timothy to be a co-worker with him and Silas. Paul mentioned Timothy in some of his letters. For instance, he called Timothy “our brother and God’s coworker” (1 Thess. 3:2). When Paul wrote the two letters to Timothy, Timothy was serving at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The word grace was often used by Paul for God’s generous gift of forgiveness and salvation (Eph. 2:8). Here the word probably refers to God’s continually gracious empowering of Timothy in his ministry. Paul’s use of “grace” here would be similar to his experience of God’s sustaining grace when he asked God to deliver him from the thorn in his flesh (2 Cor. 12:8-9). Paul’s advice to “be strong” is similar to his encouragement to the church at Ephesus in their struggles in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10). Verse 2. Paul used several word pictures or analogies in this part of his letter to help Timothy understand the nature of the Christian life and his role as a minister. Here Paul focused on Timothy’s role as a teacher of other Christians. Paul had been Timothy’s mentor or teacher for several years. Timothy had heard Paul preach many times, and undoubtedly they had discussed issues together one on one. Paul played many roles in the early church, including preacher, church planter, missionary, and author. This verse reminds us Paul also mentored or discipled young Christians.

invested much time and effort in teaching and discipling Timothy; now he encouraged Timothy to invest in others who would “teach others also” (PSG, p. 72). Paul told Timothy to invest his life in men who had proven their love for the Lord. Once these men were faithfully trained, they too, in turn, were obligated to invest in others. This is God’s method of multiplication. Each disciple is entrusted with the gospel and has a responsibility to share it with others. LEADER PACK: Ask a volunteer to read Item 4: “2 Timothy 2:2”: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

SUGGESTED USE | WEEK OF OCTOBER 9

73

THE POINT

Each of us must share the gospel.

DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 73): Who has been faithful in teaching you the truth about God and the gospel? (Alternate: What role do relationships play in making disciples?)

OPTION: Show a photo of someone who was instrumental in sharing the gospel with you. By sharing your story, group members get to know you better and you are modeling transparency for your group.

TRANSITION: Say, “In verses 3-7, Paul gave Timothy several

If you can think back to when you first became a Christian, some mature Christian likely helped you as Paul helped Timothy. This activity of mentoring is crucial to the maturation of new Christians. Paul knew some Christians remained immature; they were baby Christians (1 Cor. 3:1-3). Paul here noted that Timothy had heard Paul speak in the presence of many witnesses. Paul might have referred to the time others laid hands on Timothy (2 Tim. 1:6) or when Timothy was baptized. We cannot be sure what event Paul had in mind, but Paul’s main point was that Timothy had learned from Paul. Timothy should commit the spiritual truths he had learned from Paul to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul might have had in mind a general teaching ministry for Timothy with the members of his church. Perhaps he had in mind Timothy’s relation to church leaders in Ephesus. In his first letter Paul had noted the role of “overseer” and “elders” (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17-25). Paul had also mentioned earlier in the second letter that Timothy should “hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me” (2 Tim. 1:13). You may not be in the position Paul had with Timothy, but you should share what you know about Jesus as Lord with others in your sphere of influence. Discipling a new Christian, leading a Bible study, or witnessing to an unbeliever are some of the ways we can follow Paul’s example.

examples to follow.”

2 Timothy 2:3-7 STUDY THE BIBLE

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:3-7

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns

10 minutes

READ: Ask a volunteer to read verses 3-7.

of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned

unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share

of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you

understanding in everything. 74

S e ss i o n 6

Persevere in sharing the message of Christ.

GUIDE: Highlight the

Verse 3. Another word picture Paul used to illustrate the nature of the Christian life is good soldier of Christ Jesus. Paul typically used word pictures that would make sense to his first-century audience. Some soldiers had become Christians. Cornelius, for instance, was a Roman centurion when he heard the gospel from Simon Peter (Acts 10:1). Jewish and Gentile Christians in the early church were familiar with Roman soldiers. Paul often used military imagery to illustrate spiritual truths. For example, he described the pieces of spiritual armor Christians would need as they engaged in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-17). In 2 Timothy 2:3 Paul noted that one aspect of the Christian life was suffering. Earlier he alerted Timothy to the need to “share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God” (1:8). Paul was certainly no stranger to suffering. Ananias, who met Paul soon after his conversion on the road to Damascus, was told Jesus would show Paul “how much he must suffer for My name!” (Acts 9:16). In 2 Timothy Paul did not identify specific types of suffering or adversity Timothy might experience. At least Paul was reminding his younger friend that being a Christian does not guarantee a trouble-free life. Indeed, in some hostile situations being a bold witness for Christ might provoke ridicule or persecution. Whether the image of soldier resonates with your experience as a Christian may depend on a number of factors. Some readers might recall the old hymn, “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” which developed the relevance of Paul’s emphasis. Whether or not you have served in a branch of the military, however, you probably see the value of Paul’s illustration.

examples Paul gave Timothy of

Verse 4. Here Paul highlighted the need for a “good soldier of Christ Jesus” to have a single-minded focus on serving Christ. A soldier should not get entangled in the concerns of civilian life. Paul’s concern was that we, like good soldiers, have a single focus on our obligations to our Lord and Savior. Paul was not recommending we try to avoid all contact with non-Christians. We have to live and work somewhere! Paul had told the Corinthian Christians they could not literally avoid contact with all bad people outside the church (1 Cor. 5:9-13). Paul’s concern was the possible influence of the non-Christian world on our values, decisions, and behavior (Rom. 12:2). Some Christians have suggested Paul even meant to avoid the entanglement of marriage. Paul knew marriage could be complicated, but he did not condemn marriage (1 Cor. 7:32-38).

“a good soldier of Christ Jesus”:

1

people who persevere (PSG, pp. 73-74): 1. The soldier 2. The athlete 3. The farmer

SAY: ”When sharing the gospel we must persevere even when challenges come our way.”

GUIDE: Encourage members to share brief accounts of friends, family members, or others they have known who have been sterling examples of perseverance.

GUIDE: Share information from verses 3-7 and from Bible Commentary 1 to describe

1. Share in suffering 2. Single minded focus on serving Christ 3. Doesn’t get entangled in the concerns of the world 4. Seeks to please the recruiter

75

THE POINT

Each of us must share the gospel.

SAY: ”Like a good soldier, we are to persevere in our obedience to Christ and stay focused on the task at hand. We also may have to endure suffering for our cause. Even so, we, like a soldier, must be single-minded in our commitment to our Leader. This means not becoming entangled by worldly concerns.”

GUIDE: Use information from verse 5 and Bible Commentary 2 to describe the athlete, and how training and competition compares with the Christian life. Also refer to the Biblical Illustrator excerpt on page 81, “The Prize in the New Testament.” Ask a volunteer to read or summarize Digging Deeper on PSG page 75 for more information on “The Prize” and how it relates to the Christian life.

SAY: ”Paul likely was familiar with the Olympic games. To be victorious, the athlete needed diligence, self-control, and discipline.”

76

S e ss i o n 6

A good soldier is able to prioritize obligations. The highest obligation is to please the recruiter or the commanding officer. A Christian in the first century or today will have many obligations, including family, church, career, and friendships. Paul emphasized that we need to always place our loyalty and commitment to Christ above these other obligations. Jesus said we cannot “be a slave of two masters…You cannot be slaves of God and of money” (Matt. 6:24). The disciples in the Jerusalem church told the Jewish leaders persecuting them, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Maintaining the single-minded focus of a good soldier of Christ is difficult at times. We live in a culture that magnifies the ability to multi-task. People strive to juggle lots of obligations at once. If you made a list of all of your current obligations, what would be on that list? Are you able to prioritize those obligations to honor your commitment to Christ? Perhaps some Christians today are similar to the driver of a car who is in a hurry to get somewhere and is checking phone message and texts while driving. Sometimes multi-tasking is dangerous! Likewise, Christians need to keep our attention on Jesus’ agenda for our lives. Verse 5. Paul’s next analogy for the Christian life was an athlete. Paul knew many in his audience were familiar with first-century sports, and he often used sports imagery. In 1 Timothy Paul compared the value of “training of the body” and spiritual fitness (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Both are good, but our priority should be on training in “godliness.” Paul knew that a successful athlete prepared and trained over a long time in order to compete successfully. He also wrote to the church in Corinth about runners in a race, comparing that athletic event to the Christian life (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Here Paul emphasized an athlete competing according to the rules. If the athlete played according to the rules of the sport and won, the reward was a crown. The crowns given at the Greek games probably were made of flowers rather than precious metals. Later in this letter Paul referred to his own life as a race and a fight. He would soon receive the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Paul clearly thought of competing according to the rules as an aspect of our eventual judgment before Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). If you are a sports fan, you can likely think of several examples of famous athletes who have been stripped of their prizes for not obeying the rules of a sport. For instance, the 2

use of disallowed performance-enhancing drugs seems to be prevalent in some sports. Paul’s illustration will ring true today. We also occasionally hear of Christian leaders who have failed to be faithful to basic Christian values. As we strive to share our faith today, we need to recall that being a strong Christian involves serious preparation. Like a good athlete, we need to focus on spiritual exercises such as prayer and Bible study in order to be ready to share the good news with the people who need know about Jesus.

GUIDE: Share information from verse 6 and Bible Commentary 3 about the farmer.

SAY: ”A hard-working farmer must persevere in working his

3 Verse 6. Paul next compared the Christian life to being a hardworking farmer. Even if you have never been a farmer, you can still grasp Paul’s point here. The methods farmers use to raise their crops have changed with the advent of newer technology, but successful farmers are still “hardworking.” Paul sometimes used himself as an example of a hardworking Christian minister (1 Cor. 15:10), and he complimented others who worked hard for the cause of Christ (Rom. 16:12). Paul’s main emphasis with this word picture is that the farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. Probably Paul referred to the spiritual rewards or blessings that come to those who serve Christ faithfully. Some think Paul might have included financial support for ministers.

Verse 7. Having presented several images for the Christian life and Timothy’s ministry, Paul reminded Timothy to think seriously about what he had written. Paul was a master communicator, but he realized it might take some review and reflection for everything he wrote to sink into Timothy’s mind and spirit. Timothy did not have the advantage of social media to ask Paul questions as he read Paul’s letter! But Paul stressed that the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Like any student, Timothy needed to study what Paul had written, but he would have divine assistance in his study. A general theme throughout Paul’s illustrations of what it means to follow Christ and witness for Him is our need for proper preparation and perseverance. Being a Christian involves having purpose and meaning in life. We want to share the good news about Jesus with others, but sharing the gospel can be challenging at times in our world. Like the soldier, athlete, and farmer, we need to persevere in our sharing about Christ. No matter how successful our witness is, at least when measured by human standards, we can expect spiritual rewards for our service.

crops for months before he sees the fruits of his labor. The faithful witness also may get to enjoy the fruits of his or her labor by seeing people come to faith in Christ.”

DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 74): What can we learn from Paul’s word pictures in these verses?

DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 75): What excuses do we make for not sharing Christ? (Alternate: In what ways would you describe serving Christ as sharing and suffering?)

TRANSITION: Say, “Sharing Christ is not easy; it requires focus, discipline and hard work, but the payoffs make it all worth it.”

77

THE POINT

Each of us must share the gospel.

STUDY THE BIBLE 2 Timothy 2:8-10 10 minutes

2 Timothy 2:8-10 8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead

and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but

READ: Invite a volunteer to read 2 Timothy 2:8-10.

GUIDE: Use the information on PSG page 76 to show how Jesus is the ultimate example

God’s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they

also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Keep your focus on the message of Christ.

of perseverance in suffering. 1. Jesus is the greatest example of a soldier. He was obedient even to death for us. He fought the ultimate battle for us—and won (Phil. 2:8-9). 2. Jesus is the greatest example of an athlete. He endured until He was victorious over sin and death and gained the prize—our salvation. (Heb. 12:2). 3. Jesus is the greatest example of a farmer. He alone has the power to break apart the hardened soil in a person’s life to bear fruit (Matt. 13:1-23).

78

S e ss i o n 6

Verse 8. Paul wanted Timothy to develop as a young minister. The word pictures about a soldier, athlete, and farmer likely communicated serious spiritual truth to Timothy, but Paul quickly added that above all Timothy should keep his attention on Jesus Christ. It’s hard to think of any better advice for a Christian, young or old! Paul had been Timothy’s mentor, and Paul occasionally used himself as a role model for other Christians, but was careful to avoid any egotism. (1 Cor. 11:1). Here Paul reminded Timothy that all ministry was rooted in our faith in Jesus. Paul added two key points. First, Jesus is risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was central to Paul’s preaching and teaching. For instance, the fact God raised Jesus was the basic evidence for Jesus’ deity (Rom. 1:4). Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians how important the resurrection was for their faith (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Second, Paul mentioned that Jesus is descended from David. Certainly this was a major issue for Jews, who expected the Messiah to be a descendant of King David. Timothy had heard Paul discuss other issues about Christology before, so Paul did not need to review all of that again. Paul’s main concern was that Timothy stay focused on Jesus, the Son of God and their Savior. We need to remind ourselves that our witness today is about Jesus. Our focus should not be on minor theological issues or personal concerns. We should keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). We can tell the story of how Jesus changed our lives, but Jesus should be central to our story.

Verse 9. Paul mentioned again that he was a prisoner (2 Tim. 1:8). He hoped Timothy could come visit him soon (4:9,21). Paul had suffered for Christ in many ways. Now he was in jail bound like a criminal. This word criminal was used by Luke for the men crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:32). Rather than dwell on the specifics of his chains, Paul stressed that God’s message is not bound. Paul’s activity was limited, and he seemed to expect his own death soon (2 Tim. 4:68), but the good news about Jesus was not in chains. When Paul had been in jail earlier, he commented that others were proclaiming the good news even when he could not do so as easily (Phil. 1:12-18). Timothy may have been imprisoned later (Heb. 13:23). Verse 10. Paul could endure all things for the sake of those who needed to hear and receive the gospel. These elect apparently had not heard the gospel yet, but they would receive it eventually. Somehow the good news about Jesus would be presented to these people, and they would obtain salvation. Paul’s reference to eternal glory reminds us that the ultimate goal of our salvation is in the future. As many Bible scholars have noted, salvation has a beginning (Rom. 5:1), middle (Rom. 6:19-22), and end (1 John 3:2). Paul sometimes identified the final stage of our salvation as glorification (Rom. 8:30). If you are a Christian already, you should be sharing the good news about salvation through Jesus with others. Paul wrote a fellow minister, but Paul’s advice about keeping our focus on Jesus and the unbound Word of God is relevant to all Christians. Witnessing is a great task for all Christians. Some Christians have a specific calling from God to be a pastor, evangelist, or missionary, but all Christians have an obligation and calling to witness for and about Jesus. The lingering challenge for many mature Christians is exactly how to be a positive witness for Christ in their spheres of influence. Some Christians take advantage of their encounters with non-believers in the workplace to strike up conversations about Jesus. Others plan mission trips to areas in this country or around the world to speak to those who have not heard or received the gospel. Some volunteer for humanitarian projects in order to meet people who might not yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Most Christians accept the premise that they should witness for Jesus, but they rarely follow through on that thought. We need to be intentional about our witness. We could start small, focusing on something we could do to let someone know more about the salvation available through Jesus Christ. What will your small group Bible study do?

DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 67): What role can our group have in sharing the message of Christ with others? (Alternate: What unique opportunities do you have to share the gospel in your spheres of influence?)

DO: Group members have been following an evangelism tool called the “3-1-5-1 Strategy” in the activities and Live It Out challenges throughout this study. With the steps in “3–1–5–1 Strategy” (PSG, p. 78) they should have created a plan for continuing this strategy in the weeks to come. Invite volunteers to share their responses to the “3–1–5–1 Strategy” activity. NOTE: Be careful to preserve the privacy of those who might not want their names shared within a larger group.

79

THE POINT

Each of us must share the gospel.

LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes

GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Each of us must share the gospel.

LIVE IT OUT Share the gospel. It’s really simple and clear that this should be job one for all who are followers of Christ. What will you do to share the good news of Jesus this week?

>> Pray. If you’ve never told someone about Christ, begin

with prayer. Pray for yourself for boldness and wisdom. Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone whom God has prepared.

Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 79; see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs.

Wrap It Up GUIDE: Emphasize that we live in a world filled with people who never have heard the name of Jesus. If you don’t tell those you meet what the Savior has done for you, they might never have another opportunity to hear the gospel. SAY: “God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but it’s up to us to share the good news of Jesus.” PRAY: Thank God for His gift of Jesus. Ask the Lord for the boldness to share the gospel with those you meet this week.

80

S e ss i o n 6

>> Invite. Invite others to your Bible study group. Joining

a discussion about what the bible says about life is an excellent way for people to be exposed to the gospel and, in turn, give their lives to Christ.

>> Join. Join a group in your church that regularly engages

in evangelistic outreach or goes on a mission trip for the purpose of sharing the gospel.

wrestling). The Greek games often

Our part in carrying out the

occurred in honor of one of the

great task begins when we

gods, and sometimes leaders even

turn from our sin and accept

used their own kingdoms as a

God’s forgiveness in His free

prize for the winner of the games.

gift of grace through faith

“Most athletic competitions

ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/BOB SCHATZ (26/36/4)

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

in Christ.

had less dramatic prizes. Athletes in the Olympic games competed

Each week, make yourself

for a crown of wild olive branches.

available either before or after

Event winners at the Isthmian

the session to speak privately

games received a crown made

with anyone in your group

from pine. The winners of the

who wants to know more

Nemaean games received a

about becoming a Christian.

“Athletic competition flourished in

wreath of parsley, while the

See the article, “Leading

the culture surrounding the early

Pythian winner received a crown

Someone to the Greatest

Christian movement. During Paul’s

made from the apple tree.

Decision of All,“ on page 2 for

Stadium area at Tyre, from the Roman Era.

day, athletes competed in four

“The prize did not bring great

guidance in leading a person

major competitions: the Isthmian,

wealth, but the fame of winning

to Christ.

Nemaean, Pythian, and Olympic

the prize did bring prestige to

Remind group members that

games. Local cities competed

the winner. After each event, the

against one another for regional

herald announced the name of

pride. The competition during

the victor, proclaimed his father’s

the early days included running

name and country, and placed a

events, (200, 400, and 1,500

crown on the victor’s head.”

meters), combat events, (wrestling, boxing, and pankration—a combination of the other two), and the Pentathlon (long jump,

The excerpt above is from the article “ ‘The Prize’ in the New Testament” (Spring 2004), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator.

page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ.

javelin throw, discus, race, and

>> Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >> Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). >> Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 81

THREE REASONS WHY CONSISTENCY BEATS EXCITEMENT IN YOUR GROUP BY MICHAEL KELLEY

Imagine a leaky faucet. Regardless of how hard you twist the knob, it still drips. One drop at a time. Incessantly—drip, drip, drip. The consistency becomes an annoyance pretty quickly. But put in the right environment and given enough time, that same dripping with that same consistency can have an immense amount of power. That’s how canyons are made. Not all at once, but through the power of consistency. Dripping isn’t that exciting, but what it lacks in flash it makes up for in effectiveness. There’s a lot to be said for the power of consistency.

82

When we lead people in the way of discipleship, one of the issues we must deal with is the boring nature of it all. I mean, there are only so many ways you can “spice up” the habits that characterize consistent growth in Christ. In the end, there will be many days when you and the people you lead won’t feel like reading the Bible. They won’t feel like praying. They won’t feel like memorizing Scripture or serving or doing any of the other practices of spiritual development. Consequently, we might be tempted to reframe or describe spiritual growth as some grand adventure completely free of drudgery. While it’s true that at times growing in Christ will feel like that, it’s also true that many times it won’t.

that it will work into other areas of life as well. You’ll find, I believe, that not only are you disciplined “spiritually” but physically, emotionally, and mentally as well. But then again, that’s why “spiritually” is in quotes, because I seem to remember Jesus saying that we should love God not only spiritually but with every part of ourselves. Time is a powerful ally. Drip, drip, drip. One drop at a time. And slowly, the landscape changes.

In the end, what we’ll find is that consistency wins over excitement time and time again. And here are a few reasons why: 1. Consistency emphasizes faith over experience. What makes someone get up and do the same thing day after day after day regardless of whether they feel like it or not? You could argue that it’s simply being a creature of habit, but you could also say that such action is driven forward by faith. You do the same spiritual practices because you genuinely believe that the Bible is the Word of God. You truly believe God hears you when you pray. The alternative to this kind of consistency is a life driven by experience. If that’s the case, your spiritual development is like a yo-yo moving up and down with the flippancy of emotion. 2. Consistency causes roots to grow deep. When you opt for consistency over excitement, you are developing the kind of practices that will carry you through the seasons of spiritual dryness all of us will encounter. In other words, your roots are growing deep. When we integrate the same, repeated practices into our lives, day after day, we will find that when we eventually don’t feel anything, when we are suffering, when we simply can’t pray anymore, that our roots will have extended well past the shallows. 3. Consistency works into other areas of life. One of the side benefits of this kind of spiritual discipline is

Michael Kelley serves as Director of Groups Ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources. He is the author of Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God; Transformational Discipleship; and Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life. Find him on Twitter: @_MichaelKelley.

83