Sacrificial Living

SIMPLICITY - Part 1

Limiting the number of our possessions, expenses, activities and social obligations to a level where we are free to live joyfully in the Kingdom with Jesus. – John Mark Comer 

Simplicity sets us free to receive the provision of God, as a gift that is not ours to keep and can be freely shared with others. – Richard Foster 

• Matthew 6:25, 33

ARTICLE: Four Paradoxes of Christian Simplicity by Richard Foster

A pivotal paradox for us to understand is that simplicity is both a grace and a discipline. It is a grace because it is given to us by God. There is no way that we can build up our willpower or contort our natural tendencies to attain it. It is a gift to be graciously given and received. At the same time, simplicity is also a discipline because it is something we are called to do. Spiritual disciplines (prayer, meditation, etc.) do not give us simplicity, but they do put us in the place where we can receive it.

PODCAST: Simplicity - John Mark Comer

Tune in to hear John Mark and Jeff chat about simplicity and how we can cultivate it as followers of Jesus.

BOOK: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster

Simplicity is not merely having less stress and more leisure but an essential spiritual discipline for the health of our soul.

SIMPLICITY - Part 2

• Luke 12:15

STUDY: Celebration of Discipline, Week 5: Simplicity

Week five of One Life Leaders' 12-week series exploring Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. 

VIDEO: How to Unhurry Simplicity - John Mark Comer 

VIDEO: Limit How Much you Own - Bridgetown Church 
How do we index our heart away from its slavery to the desire for more and toward freedom? According to Jesus, the New Testament, and church history, one way is limitations. (5 minutes)

GENEROSITY

Showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected. 

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”  - Ami Carmichael 

• 2 Corinthians 8:1-8
• 2 Corinthians 8:9

ARTICLE: The Grace of Giving by Richard Foster

The grace of giving is often a tremendous stimulant to the life of faith. This is why the offering is correctly placed as part of the worship experience.

VIDEO: Generosity - Francis Chan

VIDEO: Practice Generosity - Bridgetown Church

How do we index our heart away from its slavery to the desire for more and toward freedom? According to Jesus, the New Testament, and church history, one way is practicing generosity. (6 minutes)

SERVING

“To master the discipline of service, we first need to learn to draw near to Jesus and learn to be with him and get to know him. As we do this, he shapes our hearts and the service which stems from this place will be ‘true service’, rather than ‘self-righteous’ service.” - Richard J. Foster

• Luke 22:26-27

ARTICLE: Service - A Practical Guide by Adele Calhoun

Many Americans spend their lives working themselves into a place where they can be served more than serve. As the saying goes: ​“It’s good to be queen [or king]!” Our culture sees the blessed ones as those who gel waited on and served. And few among us aspire to be the maid with the job of serving and blessing others.

ARTICLE: Understanding Service by Richard J. Foster

Service as a Christian spiritual discipline is difficult to capture in words. We learn about service best by watching it in action over an extended period of time. 

STUDY: Celebration of Discipline, Week 8: Serving

Week eight of One Life Leaders' 12-week series exploring Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. 

The significance of service is not only in blessing those we serve, but in the way it shapes us to be more like Jesus.

PODCAST: The Spiritual Discipline of Service

The habits, patterns, and rhythms of our life always shape who we are and what we're becoming. Service is a discipline that is expected of every Christian, but does a rhythm of disciplined service shape us? This episode will help you consider where and how to get started in the discipline of service.