Pause: The Practices

In this sermon discussion, Pastors Mark and Devin delve into the concept of spiritual practices or disciplines as essential tools for following Jesus and becoming more like Him. They outline nine classical practices: Sabbath, prayer, solitude, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness. The pastors emphasize that these practices are not legalistic rules or only for "professional Christians," but rather blessings from God intended for all believers to intentionally shape their spiritual formation.Mark and Devin highlight how these practices counteract what Richard Foster calls the enemy's tools of "noise, hurry, and crowds." For example, Sabbath counters hurry by providing time for rest, worship, and delight. Prayer and solitude combat noise by creating space for connection with God and self-reflection. The pastors stress the importance of disconnecting from distractions, particularly technology, to fully engage in these practices.They also discuss the challenges of implementing these practices in daily life, acknowledging that some may come more naturally than others. Both pastors share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing that the goal of these practices is not perfection but progress in becoming more like Jesus. As John Mark Comer says, "The disciplines are what we can do to do what we cannot do" - they create space for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.#spiritualpractices #sabbath #silence #scripture #followandformed #practicingtheway #jesus