When I was in high school it seemed like most people were categorized into a particular group. There were the athletic folks (jocks), the smarts ones (nerds), The kids who went to Vo-Tech (tech’ers), and the kids who were flannels and boots every day (hicks). I realize how silly this is, but I brains sort of want to categorize and label people or groups. For example, I was a two-sport “athlete”, I went to Vo-Tech, and I wore flannels and boots almost every day to school. Even my nerdy… I mean academic girlfriend; Twila was a two-sport athlete. But she wasn’t recognized for amazing athletic prowess in her high school days.
I wonder if we think about different religious denominations in the same way? A quick Google search will tell you what people think of Baptists, Catholics, Anabaptists, and so on. As we look at the Spiritual Practice of Study this week, I wonder is this something that Anabaptists are practicing regularly?
This Sunday we will explore what it means to study. Study has sort of taken on a new meaning at our household, with Jonathan in his freshman year at Penn State, Mont Alto and Abigail taking a college course as a part of her senior year in high school.
What does study mean to you as a spiritual practice?
As you think about what it means to study this week, I invite you to think about reflection, imagination, humility, and persistence.
Remember the previous spiritual practices we have discussed together… Meditation, Prayer, and Fasting. How do these connect with the practice of study?
I invite you to sit with Psalm 119 this week.
What stands out to you?
How does this Psalm fit with the spiritual practice of study?
In what ways do you practice the spiritual practice of study?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
