In today’s blog, Kyle Strobel and John Coe conclude their discussion of the second path.
Path 2 (cont.): The church in despair. First, Kyle and John observe, anything new in our church experiences seems to fill us with the excitement of possibility and hope. But before long, these new practices start to awaken the deep things of the heart. In addition, spiritual practices no longer feel life-giving. Because they increasingly expose vices in our character.
Consequently, people feel bad because they see the lack of love in their hearts. Like things are going backwards. Also, people start spinning, spinning away from growth and into despair. Hence, they need someone to shepherd them through these realities. Not merely prescribe more spiritual disciplines.
As a result, Kyle and John apply this to sermons:
“In preaching we have to remember that we are not simply passing on information or motivating people to obey in their own power. The goal isn’t to help your people get a good score on a theological or Bible exam. You are shepherding your people in the presence of the Lord in the light of his Word. . . . You need to know that they are hearing his Word and their consciences, and when the ‘thoughts’ (Romans 2:14-15) emerge, they are having to navigate a confusing experience.”
Today’s question: How do your spiritual practices mimic the experience of the desert? Please share.
Tomorrow’s bog: “A spiritual theologian”