Spiritual Disciplines with LU Shepherd
Throughout the year the LU Shepherd office will be providing several opportunities to practice spiritual disciplines to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. In Richard Forster’s book Celebration of Disciplines he writes, “God has given us disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving grace. The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us.” We will focus our attention on what Richard Foster labels inward disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.
Fasting Experiences
The practice of fasting is a spiritual discipline of voluntary abstinence from food (or other things) for the spiritual purpose of growing in Godliness. Fasting helps eliminate various distractions from our lives so that we can focus more intently on the Lord and His desires for us. This is accomplished by “sacrificing” something that we normally do in order to give more concentrated time and attention to the Lord.
40 Days of Fasting
Noon, September 20 – Noon October 31
The fast will begin after lunch Sunday, September 20 and finish by breaking the fast at lunch on Reformation Day October 31. However, it does not have to be a full 40 day fast. If you prefer to fast from food, technology, or other things for a period of time during the 40-day fast, feel free! We are simply wanting to be in sync with regards to inviting the whole campus to participate in a fast of some sort altogether.
Fasting: Digital Informational Meetings
September 18 | Noon – 2 PM
September 22 | 10 AM – Noon
September 24 | 1 PM – 3 PM
September 25 | Noon – 2 PM
Want to learn more about the spiritual discipline of fasting? Join a Webex meeting lead by an LU Shepherd. Click the link below to join an online meeting during one of the scheduled times or, if you prefer, email lushepherd@liberty.edu.
Meditation Experiences
Meditation is the intentional and repeated reflection rooted in the worth, worship, and the Word of God. Philippians 4:8 is a prime example of what we are to meditate on as Believers, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”
Reflections of the Cross
During the Reflections of the Cross Experience you’ll be able to practice mediation as you go on a self-guided hike down the Lake Hydaway Road Trail. On this down-and-back hike, you’ll have the opportunity to read scripture, pray, and meditate on Christ’s redemptive sacrifice from the cross. At each station, you will be provided a QR code to scan that will give you scripture to read and a word to meditate on as you make your way down the Lake Hydaway Road Trail.
To get to the trail from Williams Stadium, you’re going to go straight down University Blvd then you’ll turn right on Candlers Mountain Road. Go past Snowflex on your left, make the first available left and park your car.
Prayer Experiences
It is essential for prayer to be the foundational component of the Christian Life. The vital elements of prayer are intimacy with God, worship, scripture, and intercession. As followers of Christ, we want to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and being courageously persistent holding fast to the Lord and not letting go.
The Lord’s Prayer Experience
Wednesday, October 28 starting at 9:00 P.M. through October 29 at Noon | Montview Ballroom
Join us for this time of prayer and learning. At the Lord’s Prayer Experience you will be given a prayer journal along with instructions on how to proceed through five stations that teach you more about the purpose and meaning of Jesus’ instruction to us about prayer.
Study Experiences
The spiritual discipline of study helps us become more like Jesus through transforming us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2) as we come to a knowledge of the truth which sets us free from sin (I Timothy 2:4 and John 8:32). Through a careful observation of Scripture and the use of appropriate tools, understanding the Bible’s message is possible.
How to Study The Bible – Classroom Experience
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 6 – 8 P.M. • DeMoss Hall 1166
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 6 – 8 P.M. • School of Divinity 1510
Join us for an interactive workshop that will engage the mind as well as the heart. Various methods of study will be presented and students will be equipped to participate in Bible study by utilizing simple tools. In this Classroom Experience, the questions of “why, how, and what next” will be explored when it comes to your personal study of God’s Word.