Spiritual Disciplines Week 3

Rylie Yount

Professor Kyle Bauer

MIN-230X Spiritual Discipline

26 January 2024

Reflections on Week 2

Recently I have been a part of a Bible study that started with just me and one other friend but has now grown into a group of 6 women who meet at least once a week to discuss life and a topic in the Bible. Jesus was one of the best examples of living in community as he was in constant community with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Calhoun 172). When I saw that one of the questions while learning about rule of life was “Do you sense it would be helpful for you to live out your rule of life with another person or in a small group? If you resist that idea, why do you think that is so?” (Shigematsu 42). I immediately knew my answer. In the past I would say I have been more resistant to the idea of small groups and just opening my life to other people on a real level in general. There was always this fear of vulnerability because when you let someone in, you're opening yourself up to get hurt. I will say as I have been breaking down walls that have been put up by fear and really sharing my heart with these women in my Bible study, I see the power in community and why the enemy would try to stop us from having strong ones. When it comes to my rule of life which to think about is “…a patter or practices or habits, a rhythm he or she lives by – even if they have never put their ‘rule’ into words” (Shigematsu 30). I think there are many benefits to inviting other people into that with you. There is accountability and new perspectives when you discuss these things with others.

Works Cited:

Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. InterVarsity Press, 2015.

Shigematsu, Ken. God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God. Zondervan, 2013.