Nurturing Spiritual Wellbeing for Balanced Lives

LEN LEN Reflections 2025 Reflections 2025 Spiritual Wellbeing Spiritual Wellbeing How to balance our busy lives. 7:30pm Wednesday evenings Session 1: 12th March: What is Spiritual Wellbeing? Session 2: 19th March: Building Blocks of Spirituality Session 3: 26th March: A 21st Century Virtual Urban Abbey Session 4: 2nd April: Aids and Tools to deepening our walk with Jesus Session 5: 9th April: Committing to Spiritual Wellbeing

We desperately need Meaning & Purpose A larger reality - Transcendence Morality, Fairness & Justice Flourishing & Joy Guidance Fellowship I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch Spirituality

I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch How do we nurture Spiritual Wellbeing?

Session 2 Part 1) The characteristics of Christian spirituality. Part 2) The building blocks of a spiritual life.

Part 1 What are the characteristics of Christian spirituality?

1. True Worship Comes from the Heart Jesus emphasized that genuine spirituality is not about rituals but about a sincere heart devoted to God. John 4:23-24

1. True Worship Comes from the Heart Jesus emphasized that genuine spirituality is not about rituals but about a sincere heart devoted to God. John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

2. Spiritual Life Requires Humility and Childlike Faith o Jesus taught that spiritual greatness is found in humility, dependence on God, and a childlike trust in God. o Matthew 18:3-4

2. Spiritual Life Requires Humility and Childlike Faith o Jesus taught that spiritual greatness is found in humility, dependence on God, and a childlike trust in God. o Matthew 18:3-4 "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

3. Love is the Greatest Commandment o True spirituality is expressed through love love for God and love for others. o Matthew 22:37-39

3. Love is the Greatest Commandment o True spirituality is expressed through love love for God and love for others. o Matthew 22:37-39 "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'

4. Spiritual Life Requires Dependence on God, Not Material Wealth o Jesus warned against trusting in riches and worldly security instead of relying on God. o Matthew 6:19-21

4. Spiritual Life Requires Dependence on God, Not Material Wealth o Jesus warned against trusting in riches and worldly security instead of relying on God. o Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

5. The Holy Spirit is Essential for Spiritual Life Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as the one who guides, teaches, and transforms believers. John 14:26

5. The Holy Spirit is Essential for Spiritual Life Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as the one who guides, teaches, and transforms believers. John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

What are the characteristics of Christian spirituality? 1. Devotion to God discipleship of Jesus 2. Humility and Faith 3. Love & generosity 4. Trust in God - not wealth, security etc. 5. Sustained by the Holy Spirit Discuss: Which of these is the most difficult? Do you recognize these characteristics in yourself?

How do we develop these characteristics of Christian spirituality?

Part 2 Part 2 The building blocks of a spiritual life.

1. Prayer Daily Communication with God 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Philippians 4:6

1. Prayer Daily Communication with God "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

2. Bible Reading and Meditation Nourishment from God's Word Matthew 4:4 Psalm 119:105

2. Bible Reading and Meditation Nourishment from God's Word "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

3. Worship Honouring and Glorifying God John 4:24 Psalm 96:2

3. Worship Honouring and Glorifying God "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) "Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day." (Psalm 96:2)

4. Fellowship Engaging in Christian Community Hebrews 10:24-25 Matthew 18:20

4. Fellowship Engaging in Christian Community "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10:24-25) "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20)

5. Obedience Living Out Faith in Action - Lifestyle James 1:22 John 14:15

5. Obedience Living Out Faith in Action - Lifestyle "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

6. Service Serving Others in Love 1 Peter 4:10 Mark 10:45

6. Service Serving Others in Love "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10) "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

7. Witness Sharing the Gospel Matthew 28:19 1 Peter 3:15

7. Witness Sharing the Gospel "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

8. Spiritual Discipline Fasting and Self-Control 1 Corinthians 9:27 Matthew 6:16

8. Spiritual Discipline Fasting and Self-Control "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27) "When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:16)

9. Growth in Faith Trusting and Maturing in Christ 1 Peter 2:2 Proverbs 3:5

9. Growth in Faith Trusting and Maturing in Christ "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

The building blocks of a spiritual life.

Discuss: Which of these building blocks do you practice? Which of these building blocks do you need to strengthen?

I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch

How do we nurture our Spiritual Wellbeing through developing our spirituality by applying the building blocks? I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch to get the money to buy the food to give me the strength to dig the ditch. I dig the ditch in our busy lives???

LEN LEN Reflections 2025 Reflections 2025 Spiritual Wellbeing Spiritual Wellbeing How to balance our busy lives. 7:30pm Wednesday evenings Session 1: 12th March: What is Spiritual Wellbeing? Session 2: 19th March: Building Blocks of Spirituality Session 3:26th March: A 21st Century Virtual Urban Abbey Session 4: 2nd April: Aids and Tools to deepening our walk with Jesus Session 5: 9th April: Committing to Spiritual Wellbeing

The building blocks of a spiritual life. 1. Prayer 2. The Bible 3. Worship 4. Fellowship 5. Actions 6. Service 7. Witness 8. Discipline 9. Growth