40 Days of Discipline

Category Archives: 2022

Posts for 2022


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Title:  40 Days of Discipline:  Day 21 – Fellowship

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:1 – 8, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

Thank you very much for your comments yesterday!  Today, we continue our focus on the Discipline of Fellowship.  In yesterday’s context, we saw that the word fellowship often relates to having things in common in Christ.  One of the important things we should strive to hold in common is the mindset of Christ.

Bible Passage:

Today’s passage is Philippians 2:1 – 8 (presented above).  In the passage, the Apostle Paul conveys some key essentials for fellowship.  Clearly, Jesus is the perfect model of the traits required for effective fellowship.

Question:

Based on the passage, what are some of the essential traits you would expect to see in your local church if the members are committed to fellowship?


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 20 – Fellowship

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

Thanks again for all the great comments as we considered worship!  As we now turn our attention to the Discipline of Fellowship we will begin by considering some questions about the role of Fellowship in your local church.  First, some brief background on fellowship.

Koinonia is a transliterated form of a Greek word, which is often translated as fellowship in the New Testament.  Fellowship has a range of meanings, but many relate to having things in common in Christ.  What’s for sure is that fellowship is much more than getting together for social events. 

Primary Questions:

  1. Does your local church teach about the biblical principles of fellowship?
  2. Is fellowship used with intentionality for spiritual growth and evangelism?
  3. Do your local church leaders serve as good role models where fellowship is concerned?
  4. Would you characterize your local church as a place where trust has a high premium?

Optional Secondary Questions (if you have the time):

  1. Does your local church facilitate small group settings to facilitate fellowship?
  2. Is diversity (across physical and other dimensions) and inclusion encouraged in your local church?

Your Feedback:

While you are not expected to share your answers to the questions above, we would still love to hear from you.  Based on your answers to the questions, what is your general observation about how local churches relate to fellowship?


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 19 – Worship

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

It was wonderful to see how all the comments yesterday had a clear theme, God should be the focus of worship in the local church.  It seems such an obvious statement but easier said than done.  Yesterday, we saw the Levites leading in communal worship and we saw their attitude to worship.  Within the tribe of Levites there were priests who had special responsibility for worship in the tabernacle.  We will discuss the topic of priests today. 

Bible Passage:

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 2:9 (presented above).  In the passage, believers are identified as a royal priesthood and commensurate with that role is an expectation of declaration of praises to God. 

Question:

What does our identity as a royal priesthood mean to you as you reflect on worship in the local church?


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 18 – Worship

4 Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the Lord their God. 5 And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:4 – 6, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

We continue our focus on the Discipline of Worship.  As we did for Bible Study, Prayer, and Fasting, we turn our attention to the Old Testament story of Nehemiah to glean lessons applicable to the local church. 

Bible Passage:

Today’s passage is Nehemiah 9:4 – 6 (presented above).  In the passage we get to see the Levites leading in worship. This occurred approximately 4 weeks after Ezra had read the book of the Law for hours to the assembly.

Question:

What lessons can the local church extract from the attitude of the Levites to worship? 


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 17 – Worship

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

It was such a blessing to see the supportive exchanges in the commentaries last Friday and Saturday.  Thanks to all who participated!  As we now turn our attention to the Discipline of Worship we will begin by considering questions about the role of worship in your local church. 

Before we consider the questions, it is worth remembering that worship (respect and adoration for God) is a whole-life activity.    

Primary Questions:

  1. Does your local church promote a comprehensive view of worship?
  2. Does your local church encourage participative worship (i.e., all members play their part)?
  3. Do your local church leaders model a life of worship?
  4. Does your local church guard against church services becoming predominantly entertainment events?

Optional Secondary Questions (if you have the time):

  1. Does your local church make worshipping at the Lord’s table (communion) a priority?
  2. Does your local church have a process for ensuring worship songs are biblical?

Your Feedback:

While you are not expected to share your answers to the questions above, we would still love to hear from you.  Based on your answers to the questions, what is your general observation about how local churches relate to worship?


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 16 – Review

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:27, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Today is dedicated to reviewing what we have learned over the past five days about Prayer and Fasting in our local churches.  It is a great time to catch up on any comments you may have missed.    

As a reminder, our desire is to make this journey transformative and not just informative.

Question:

Based on your studies this week, is there anything you are now more committed to doing in your local church?  

Please leave a comment.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 15 – Fasting

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. (Nehemiah, 9:1, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Today is dedicated to fasting.  I encourage you to sacrifice at least one meal and spend extra dedicated time focusing on God.  If you are considering a food fast, please take your health into account.

Fasting, of course, is not a bargaining chip to get what we want from God.  Instead, God has elected to use this Discipline as a means of changing our circumstances, and more importantly as a means of changing us. 

Requests:

  • Please be sure to dedicate time for worship and prayer.
  • In the first comment to this post some suggested matters for prayer will be listed.  Please consider sharing other prayer requests or any relevant words of encouragement.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 14 – Fasting

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1 – 3, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

Thanks for all your helpful comments during our review of prayer! Today, we turn to the Discipline of Fasting. The attitude of local churches towards this discipline varies significantly.  We recognize and respect that not all local churches view this discipline as a priority.  However, in our 40-day journey we consider fasting a valuable Discipline.  We will again begin by considering some questions about the role of fasting in your local church. 

Please note that tomorrow, we will continue our tradition of engaging jointly in a day of fasting.   

Questions:

  1. Does your local church teach biblical principles about fasting?
  2. If fasting is encouraged, is corporate fasting ever organized?
  3. If fasting is not encouraged, is there an explanation for why it isn’t?
  4. Are the leaders of your church committed to fasting in their personal lives?

Your Feedback:

As mentioned in the context we are respectful of different views and our aim is not to criticize churches.  Instead of commenting on a particular church, we would love to hear your personal views on local churches fasting together.  All views are truly welcomed. 


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 13 – Prayer

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:8 – 11, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

It was really helpful to read the feedback on the passage yesterday.  Thanks! 

As we close out our consideration of the Discipline of Prayer in the local church we will reflect on the impact of corporate prayer as attested to by the Apostle Paul. 

Bible Passage:

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 1:8 – 11 (presented above).  Please take note of Paul’s strong link between the prayers of the church and the continued deliverance of those labouring in ministry.

Question:

There are many places around the world where God’s ministers are enduring tremendous pressure.  What strategies do you employ, or can you employ to ensure your local church is helping by praying?


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 12 – Prayer

1On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.  (Nehemiah 9:1 – 2, New International Version)

Theme:  The Local Church

Context:

Thank you for taking the time to consider the questions about the local church and prayer yesterday.  As always we are truly grateful for the comments.

As we continue with the Discipline of Prayer we will be looking at Nehemiah again just as we did last week while considering Bible Study.  Nehemiah presents a great Old Testament example of what can occur in a corporate setting when God is obeyed. 

Bible Passage:

Today’s passage is Nehemiah 9:1 – 2 (presented above).  The passage is a subset of a much longer prayer in Nehemiah chapter 9.  We know from last week that God worked miraculously during this time for the Children of Israel, and it is no surprise that prayer was a key activity for the assembly.  What is striking about the short passage we are considering today is the confessing community.  Their confession seems to be much deeper than the generic confessions we often experience in corporate church settings.

Questions:

  1. What do you believe are key variables that would have contributed to the public confession by the Children of Israel?
  2. What lessons can we extract for ourselves and our local churches?