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A New Creation | Class 9 - "New Change - Part 3" | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome back to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, one model that may help us understand how God changes us.
In previous episodes we have explored the nature of spiritual growth - that it is both practical and mystical. This week we take a look at a model of spiritual growth put forward by Dallas Willard - something he called, "The golden triangle of spiritual growth".
By the way, before we go on, both he and I would be appalled if the model came across as a formula.
- Centred in the mind of Christ
- The mind is our centre. How we think shapes everything. We need to centre in the mind of Christ if we are to see transformation. That way we learn to see things the way Jesus sees them. We learn to see Father God the way he sees him, we learn to see ourselves the way he sees us, and we learn to see other people the way he sees them.
““For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”
2. The work of the Holy Spirit
- God's power is what transforms us, not just the way we think.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
3. Ordinary events of daily life
- We are talking especially about the hard stuff. God shapes us through the nitty-gritty of daily life.
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
4. Planned discipline to put on a new heart
- What are these disciplines? They are practices such as fasting, prayer, solitude, fellowship, worship, silence, and whatever helps us consciously invite God to transform us more into the likeness of Christ.
Conclusion
Spiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work.
For reflection
- What helps help you to be centred in the mind of Christ?
Next time we will go on to look at another model of spiritual transformation.
Your brother, Malcolm
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: [email protected].
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
View all episodes
By Thames Valley ChurchIntroduction
A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome back to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, one model that may help us understand how God changes us.
In previous episodes we have explored the nature of spiritual growth - that it is both practical and mystical. This week we take a look at a model of spiritual growth put forward by Dallas Willard - something he called, "The golden triangle of spiritual growth".
By the way, before we go on, both he and I would be appalled if the model came across as a formula.
- Centred in the mind of Christ
- The mind is our centre. How we think shapes everything. We need to centre in the mind of Christ if we are to see transformation. That way we learn to see things the way Jesus sees them. We learn to see Father God the way he sees him, we learn to see ourselves the way he sees us, and we learn to see other people the way he sees them.
““For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”
2. The work of the Holy Spirit
- God's power is what transforms us, not just the way we think.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
3. Ordinary events of daily life
- We are talking especially about the hard stuff. God shapes us through the nitty-gritty of daily life.
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
4. Planned discipline to put on a new heart
- What are these disciplines? They are practices such as fasting, prayer, solitude, fellowship, worship, silence, and whatever helps us consciously invite God to transform us more into the likeness of Christ.
Conclusion
Spiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work.
For reflection
- What helps help you to be centred in the mind of Christ?
Next time we will go on to look at another model of spiritual transformation.
Your brother, Malcolm
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: [email protected].
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/