14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples

1. 14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples Lesson 4: FASTING

2. Main Idea Disciples fast to seek God and His purposes. - Wiles, pg. 43

3. Application Thoughts “For us today, we don’t often connect our spiritual practices with our dilemmas.” - pg. 46

4. 2 Chronicles 20:2-4, Matthew 6:16-18, & Acts 13:1-3 2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 16“When you fast, do not look somber 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. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

5. 3 Keys For Fasting I Should Fast For… • Personal Endangerment – “I Have A Need!” • Private Entreatment– “I Am Concerned With God’s Attention, Not Man’s” • Passionate Expectation – “I Seek To Be Closer To God!”

6. Personal Endangerment • There is no circumstance, event, issue, problem, situation, trouble, or undertaking TOO SMALL to bring to God in fasting! • If it is a “big deal” to you, God is concerned about it!

7. Private Entreatment • A “successful” fast is founded on the premise that I want God to know that I know I can only be helped by His intervention! • Why give up something significant in my life if anyone or anything is capable of working things out?

8. Passionate Expectation • If fasting is a PROVEN manner in which to get a hold of God’s attention, how much do I want God’s attention…? • Our lives center on getting to know God, so if I want to get to know Him FULLY, fasting does not have to be limited to my perceived crisis in life!

9. Guidelines for Fasting • Fasting is a legitimate spiritual discipline for God’s people today. • Fasting is to be done for spiritual purposes. It is not intended for weight-loss or for health reasons. Biblical fasting promotes sensitivity to God’s voice, heightens our prayer lives, strengthens our resolve and/or assists us in discerning God’s will. • Fasting is not to be regulated by legalism. • Fasting is not a means of displaying our piety to others. • Fasting is not a means of earning God’s favor. We fast because God is leading us to do it. Suggestions for Fasting • Determine the spiritual purpose for the fast. Why are you fasting? Are you addressing a specific spiritual need? Are you seeking God’s will in a decision? • Decide on the nature and the duration of the fast. • Get prepared: mentally, physically, and spiritually. You should consult your physician if you have any questions about your ability to fast from food. • Solicit prayer support from key people who will pray for you and encourage you. • Use your time wisely. Use the time you would spend eating [or otherwise] in prayer and reflection. • Record any significant insights in a journal. You are asking God for His direction. Take time to record what He reveals to you during the time of your fasting.