Celebration of Discipline:
The Discipline of Study
(Downloadable Word document)

"Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2)
Think about the true, honorable, and lovely things (Philippians 4:8)
• Study is the primary vehicle to get us to think about these things
•Knowledge of the truth will set us free, not ecstatic feelings (cf. Ephesians 4:17-24)
•Many are hampered / confused by simple ignorance of truth

•Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction"

What we study determines the kind of habits that we form.

Two Objects to Study:

HOW:

•Repetition - channels the mind a specific direction; can change behavior by itself (TV)
•Concentration - centers the mind; focuses on what is studied; distraction is the enemy of concentration
•Comprehension - understand what we are studying; knowledge of the truth
•Reflection - defines the significance of what we are studying; ruminate on; understand inner reality

Dangers / Hurdles:

•Study is too hard - everything is when you first start out
•I'm not smart enough
•Pride - Study is directly dependent upon humility. "Arrogance and a teachable spirit are mutually exclusive."
•Mistaking the accumulation of information for knowledge
•Looking for spiritual ecstasy - good feelings
•Mistaking devotional reading for study

Implementation:

1. Study of Books

Intrinsic Rules
- Read for Understanding - what is the author saying?
- Read for Interpretation - what does the author mean?
- Read for Evaluation - is the author right or wrong?

Extrinsic Rules
- Experience - only way we can interpret and related to what we read
- Other Books - "Books often have meaning only when they are read in relation to other writings."
- Live Discussion - emphasis on inner transformation, not doctrinal purity

Study Needs
- Make a long enough period of time for study
- Get away from home (if possible)
- Determine what to study

2. Study of Non-Verbal "Books"

Observation of Reality in Nature
- Pay attention
- Make friends with flowers, trees, creatures, etc.

Observation of Reality in Events, Actions, Relationships, and Ourselves

Discussion Questions
1. Have you had any experience with the study of non-verbal books?
2. The four steps into study that Richard Foster gives are repetition, concentration, comprehension, and reflection. Which of these four steps do you feel is the most important in bringing about the goal of the transformation of the individual?
3. Outside of the Bible, what book has had the most profound impact upon your own life? Why?
4. Why does study produce joy?

Group Exercise
1. Repetition
Everyone read James 2:14-26 aloud

2. Concentration
Spend some time in personal contemplation. Try to:

Understand - What is James saying?
Interpret - What does he mean?
Relate it to your own Experience.

3. Comprehension
Spend some time discussing your personal observations together

4. Reflection
What is the significance of this for us?
How can we apply it to our lives?