In the Workshop--Lesson 6--An Exercise in Spiritual Disciplines--Matthew 7 & John 15

Discussion Questions:

1.  What have you learned about being a disciple of Jesus (apprentice) that you did not know prior to this study?  How has this study brought about any changes to your thinking and actions?

2.  What part of dropping nets, being transformed, using Jesus as a template, making use of the power provided by God, and maintaining a priority of love do you struggle with?  What part excites you?

3.  What is your understanding of spiritual disciplines?  Are they mandatory?  What is their ultimate purpose?  What makes them difficult to maintain? 

4.  Which of the spiritual disciplines do you find particularly helpful?  Which ones scare you or seem intimidating?  Which ones seem to come fairly easy to you?  Are certain ones meant for particular personalities?

5.  What percentage of your spiritual life is contemplation versus action?  Why do you think you lean one way more than the other?  How are both important for spiritual development?

6.  Do you agree that the inside leads to the outside?  Are there times when the outside leads to the inside?  Discuss this with one another. 

7.  Why does James say our faith is useless (barren) without works?  What did Jesus do to the fig tree that had no figs on it?  Why did Jesus curse the fig tree when it wasn’t the season for figs? (Mark 11:12-13).

8.  How do spiritual disciplines help us to grow in good works?  How is not practicing spiritual disciplines like having an umbrella and not using it?

9.  How do our good works glorify the Father?  What works would you say are in your life that bring the Father glory?