individual rhythms overview
Private disciplines are key to growing in our walk with God. These habits are the deep roots which create intimacy with God and Christlike character. Our private character sustains our public ministry and platform. During the Lead Collective, we will be focusing on the following spiritual rhythms to discipline ourselves towards godliness. Check out the additional resources page to find practical tools for each spiritual discipline below.
daily Bible reading & prayer
We will seek to spend time with God every day in his Word and respond in prayer. The point is to intentionally engage with the truth of God’s Word and direct our heart towards affection for Him, rather than simply reading information to check a box.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one….whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
scripture memory
We will select a chapter of the Bible that resonates with the season of life we are in or a truth we need to constantly hear in our walk of faith. All participants will commit the entire chapter to memory over the course of the Lead Collective. Here are some suggested chapters to consider memorizing: Psalm 19, Psalm 139, Romans 8, Philippians 4, Colossians 1, James 4.
Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
fasting
Jesus expects his followers to fast until he comes back, but this may be the most underutilized spiritual discipline in the western church today. Fasting is putting aside a physical want to emphasize a spiritual need. By denying ourselves, we prioritize a spirit of dependence, prayer, and asking God to move.
Pick the most effective fast to help you pray. For example, it could be skipping lunch one day a week, giving up dessert, abstaining from all social media for a year, or some other physical reminder that draws you near to God in prayer.
Matthew 6:17-19 “When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
solitude
We often live fast-paced lives and do not give intentional time to slow down and retreat. Jesus frequently modeled this by leaving the masses to spend time with the Father. Quiet solitude gives space to pray, reflect, dream, worship, be convicted of sin, create ideas and vision, evaluate decisions, and draw near to God.
Over the course of the Lead Collective, choose three different days of 4 hours or more that best fits your schedule to have a time of solitude with no phone or technology. During each block of solo time, bring a Bible, journal, and a pen to capture your insights and reflections. Ideally, this solo day is done outside in nature if weather permits.
Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”