CSI: Jerusalem
II Samuel 11:1-4a
1. Think of a recent man-made disaster. What were the contributing factors? Name some recent “spiritual” or “moral” collapses of significant people in the world. What were the contributing factors?
2. What physical troubles (“family baggage”) have you inherited (heart troubles, cancer tendencies, etc.)? What negative spiritual tendencies did you inherit?
3. What experiences or troubles in your past have left “weak spots” that set you up for specific temptations? What are the temptations? What weaknesses have been created? What disciplines can you practice to help you fortify and battle those “weak spots?”
For more on spiritual disciplines, see Donald Whitney’s website.
4. Review the five kinds of people who affect your spiritual passion.
- +3 The very resourceful people:they ignite our passion
- +2 The very important people:they share our passion
- +1 The very trainable people:they catch our passion
- 0 The very nice people:they enjoy our passion
- -1 The very draining people:they sap our passion
Name people who encourage your spiritual walk. How can you increase their involvement in your life?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and 1 Timothy 4:7-8. In these passages, what are the descriptors of a disciplined life? Are you practicing them? If not, what can you do to put them in place? What is the purpose of a disciplined life?
6. How does the work of the cross and the Holy Spirit help us achieve a disciplined life?
Gospel in Action: Review the Friendship Funnel. Have you used common interest, specific struggles, or spiritual stuff with the purpose of influencing someone’s life spiritually? If not, who might you engage this way?