BIBLE MEDITATION
gazing deeply on God through the written Word
BIBLE STUDY
to know what the Bible says and how it applies to and transforms my life. Reading the Bible to form deep habits of desire, thought and behavior, and action
BREATH PRAYER
to pray a short simple phrase of heartfelt desire to God that can be repeated in one breath e.g. “Holy Spirit, come!”
CARE OF THE EARTH
to steward creation in a way that restores beauty, order and abundance
CELEBRATION
engaging in acts of joy that position us to delight in God and his people, Word, world and purpose
CENTERING PRAYER
silent prayer to quiet your heart and rest in the presence of God
CONFESSION & REPENTANCE
to relinquish my weaknesses and faults to the forgiving love of Christ and deliberately desire and develop practices that lead to transformation
CONTEMPLATION
to give my full attention to God in order to become increasingly ‘aware’ of his presence. Resting in God
CONVERSATIONAL PRAYER
to speak naturally with God in prayer times, praying ‘conversational’ sentences to God
DISCERNMENT
to delight in and recognize the voice and will of God
DISCERNING GOD TOGETHER
to delight in and recognise the voice of God corporately. An example would be having the DTS ask God a question such as ‘How do you want to strengthen community amongst us?’ Write the question on the board. Have the school wait on the Lord in silence for 10 minutes. Students can journal or move about, but they should stay together. Give everyone a chance to give feedback and write it on the board. Ask any questions needed for clarification. The person leading then gives a summary, with some questions like, “Have I missed anything important you think God was saying to us?”
EXAMEN
a prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence, discern his direction, identify anything we need to confess and celebrate God’s grace and mercy (Psalm 26:2-3)
FASTING
to abstain from an appetite (food, technology, sweets, TV) in order to seek God on issues of concern for others, myself and the world. Fasting helps us remember the body and soul are united and affect each other. Fasting reminds us that we are not self-sufficient, but find our sufficiency in God
INTERCESSION
to enter God’s heart for the world and pray on behalf of the person, city, issue, etc.
JOURNALING
to pay attention to my life through writing out my thoughts, experiences and observations and reflecting on God’s presence and activity in, around and through me
LECTIO DIVINA
to read Scripture meditatively (as the Living Word) in order to encounter, surrender to, and increase communion with God
MEDITATION
to gaze deeply on God through the written Word and created order, reflecting on his works, and rehearsing his deeds
PRAYER
to communicate with and be in union with God. It may include worship, thankfulness, bringing a concern, listening, and more
PRAYING SCRIPTURE
to order my prayer time around a text in the Bible, allowing God to shape my prayer life through the words of Scripture This can mean praying the prayers of the Bible word-for-word as your own prayers, or personalizing verses of the Bible in prayer
REFLECTION
paying attention to my life through reflecting on God’s presence and activity in, around and through me in order to grow in love for God, others, and self
RELINQUISH RIGHTS
to give up your right to obtain, have, hold onto or control an aspect of your life to the Lordship of Christ and trust him to be and provide all you need
REST
to honor God and my human limitations through rhythms of rest (restoration) including adequate sleep and restful activities
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION
to carry the transforming words of God in me at all times and in all places, allowing me to dwell continuously on Scripture and fill my mind with what it needs
SERVICE
joyfully attending to the needs (Christian Magna Carta) of others in a Christ-like way, sometimes in mundane, ordinary ways without seeking reward or recognition
SILENCE
to take respite from addiction to and distraction of noise, and negative habits of speech such as gossip, deceit, impression management, the need to critique or give your opinion, so I can be totally present to the Lord
SMALLER GROUP INTERACTION
more intimate connection, discussion, sharing and participation in a group of approximately 4-8 people is beneficial to processing and deepening engagement and learning. Obviously, if your school is under 8 students, finding ways to connect them to larger group practices and activities would be beneficial
WORSHIP
to honor and adore the Trinity as our supreme treasure. To experience the resurrected Christ in a gathered community
