80 likes | 123 Views
Delve into the essence of contemplation in Christianity, exploring its spiritual significance and cognitive impact. Discover insights on the ministry of the Spirit through Scripture and reflect on the practice of loving attentiveness to God. Uncover the reasons to embrace contemplation, from fostering spiritual purity to nurturing Christian maturity. Engage with the intersection of contemplation and neuroscience, offering a profound outlook on life and moral choices. Elevate your prayer practice with transformative methods during this reflective journey.
E N D
Contemplative Christianity Question of the Day: Why “contemplate”?
Definitions Contemplation 1a:concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion b: a state of mystical awareness of God's being 2: to view or consider with continued attention study.made the decision after much contemplation 3: the act of regarding steadily was lost in quiet contemplation of the scene
Culture • Some of our assumptions about meditation (contemplation)? • … what about “secular” culture? • …what about Church culture?
Scripture • 2 Cor. 3:7-18In this passage, what do you notice about the ministry of the Spirit? • Quick aside: 1 Jn. 3:2 • (present & future transformation)
Contemplate: (verb) to practice loving attentiveness to God 2 components: • affection for God • the way you experience everything “The pure loving gaze that finds God everywhere”-Brother Lawrence
5 Reasons to Learn about Contemplation • Prevent… spiritually hungry Christians from mixing other religions into their beliefs and practices. • Reach Out… to the religious and non-religious, with a powerful bridge to other faiths and a balm to modern secularism. • Worldview: seeing Life, the Universe, and Everything as centered on Christ, “charged with the grandeur of God”. • Neuroscience: These practices change our moral choices. (Curt Thompson, Anatomy of the Soul). • Christian Maturity: growth in intimacy with God and deepening moment-by-moment reliance upon Him.
Prayer Practice: Week 1 • Remember to grab a Prayer Practice handout before you go! See you next week. If you have questions, we’ll be around after.