Back to School - New Series at harvest Church

This past Sunday, at Harvest Church, we started a new series, Back to School. As a way of celebrating the new school year, we're taking the congregation on a little learning experience as we take a look at a couple spiritual disciplines. It's a timely series not simply because our kids are heading back to school, but as I think about the purpose of the church and our desire to see adults growing in their faith, it is very important that we talk about how we grow up in the Lord.

To help us explore and learn how to practice these disciplines, we are applying the H.A.B.I.T.S. tool. H.A.B.I.T.S. are the brain child of Doug Fields. the H.A.B.I.T.S. tool was something he developed for his student ministry as a way to help them develop the spiritual disciplines. By applying the idea that these disciplines are things that should be daily and regular habits in our lives, the tool  helps to reinforce the practices of the disciplines in a way that makes it doable. I mean, no one really enjoys when we're given lists of things that we are expected to do because we're told we have to do them. But understand the why and the how, and allowing our desire to WANT to do them, helps take the disciplines and make them habits that are as much a part of us as is brushing our teeth in the morning.

Over the years, I have adapted and used the H.A.B.I.T.S. tool with both students and adults. I even use them in my own life. I love the simplicity of the tool and it's application to life. As both a student and an adult pastor, I want to be sure I am giving those I care for the teachings and tools that will help them deepen and grow their relationship with God.

So what are the H.A.B.I.T.S.?
- H ... Having Time with God. This is daily, intentional prayer time set aside so you can be with and talk to God.
- A ... Accountability. This is the practices of living life knowing that someone has your back.
- B ... Bible Memorization. More than the Sunday school competions that helps us learn scripture, this is the practice of hiding God's words of life in our hearts.
- I ... Involvement. The life of the believers is more than showing up for church, it's about engaging with the life and ministry of the church.
- T ... Tithing/giving. One of the hardest habits to apply is the habit of giving. But when we look at scripture, giving is something that believers practice and live by.
- S ... Studying Scripture. From hiding God's word in our hearts to understanding and knowing what it says, studying scripture is a vital way of growing to know God.

Sunday, we talked about the first spiritual discipline; Having time with God. This week I will share some of my notes and suggest a few resources that can be helpful when developing the habit of prayer. So look for them throughout the week.

And, come out and join us at Harvest as we unpack all of the H.A.B.I.T.S. and discover how to go a little deeper with God.

- jay