1/4 - Spiritual Training — Strengthening Yourself for Life with God
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Tithing & Offering Moment:
Tithing & Offering Moment:
“Training Your Heart to Trust”
“Training Your Heart to Trust”
Scripture:
🔹 1 Timothy 6:6–7
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Giving is not just about supporting the church — it’s a form of spiritual training. Every time we give, we are training our hearts to let go of greed, to trust in God’s provision, and to find contentment not in what we have, but in who He is.
Just like prayer, worship, and Scripture, generosity is a spiritual discipline. It stretches our faith. It realigns our values. It forms godliness in us.
Challenge to the Church:
Challenge to the Church:
Today, let your giving be an act of worship and training — a declaration that your treasure is in Christ, and your trust is in His hands.
Prayer:
Prayer:
Lord, receive our offerings as acts of obedience and devotion. Train our hearts to trust You more. May our giving reflect the godliness You are cultivating in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Spiritual Training — Strengthening Yourself for Life with God
Spiritual Training — Strengthening Yourself for Life with God
Strengthening Yourself for Life with God
Strengthening Yourself for Life with God
Spiritual Training - WOD
Spiritual Training - WOD
Introduction
Introduction
We live in an age of constant distractions, where the urgent often overshadows the important.
While society places great value on physical fitness—crowded gyms, new diets, and trending workout routines—the apostle
Paul reminds us of a higher priority: training for godliness. askēsis in Greek
We live in an age of constant distractions, where the urgent often overshadows the important.
While society places great value on physical fitness—crowded gyms, new diets, and trending workout routines—the apostle Paul reminds us of a higher priority: training for godliness. askēsis in Greek
In 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul says: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
“Train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7–8).
The word for “train” is gymnaze, the root of our word gymnasium. It means to discipline oneself, to engage in rigorous exercise. Paul is painting a picture of intentional, strenuous spiritual practice, not passive belief.
Just like an athlete who trains with focus and discipline for a race, the Christian life also demands dedication, perseverance, and intentional practice of spiritual disciplines.
But what does it truly mean to train ourselves for godliness?
1. Understanding Godliness and the Call to Spiritual Training
1. Understanding Godliness and the Call to Spiritual Training
A. Rejecting Myths and Embracing Truth
A. Rejecting Myths and Embracing Truth
Main Verse: 1 Timothy 4:7- 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.
Paul warns Timothy to avoid “godless myths”—teachings that may sound spiritual or wise, but are not rooted in Scripture.
In fact, Paul later warns that “a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching... but will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions”
2 Timothy 4:3. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Many comforting messages appeal to our desires, but they lead us away from truth.
We must train ourselves to discern truth from deception.
Additional Verse:
🔹 Colossians 2:8 – 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Application: We must be rooted in Scripture and resist being swayed by emotional, trendy, or human-centered doctrines.
Reflection Question: What teachings or beliefs am I holding on to that are not based on Scripture?
🔹 Final Phrase:
🔹 Final Phrase:
“Truth nourishes the soul, but myths malnourish it—train with truth, not tales.”
“Truth nourishes the soul, but myths malnourish it—train with truth, not tales.”
B. What is godliness (Eusebeia)?
B. What is godliness (Eusebeia)?
In Greek, eusebeia means reverence, devotion, and a life centered on honoring God.
Main Verse: 1 Timothy 6:11 - 11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
John Calvin described piety as “a sincere feeling which loves God as Father, and reveres Him as Lord, fearing to offend Him more than we fear death.”
Application: Godliness is not a mere emotion but an ongoing attitude of reverence, obedience, and trust in God.
Additional Verse:
🔹 Titus 2:12 – 12And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Reflection Question:
Do I live with a daily awareness of God’s presence that shapes my choices, desires, and habits?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Godliness is not performance—it is a posture of the soul bowed in love and awe before a holy God.
C. The Value of Godliness
C. The Value of Godliness
Main Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8 - 8“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
While physical training has temporary benefits, godliness affects every aspect of our lives—present and eternal.
Paul urges us to train because the reward far outweighs the cost.
Application: When we invest in our spiritual lives, we are building something that lasts forever.
Additional Verse:
🔹 2 Peter 1:3 –3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Reflection Question:
Am I investing more in temporary gains or eternal growth?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Earthly training builds strength for today—spiritual training builds strength for eternity.
2. Practices of Spiritual Training
2. Practices of Spiritual Training
A. Prayer
A. Prayer
Prayer is more than requests; it’s communion.
Like Jesus, who often withdrew to pray, we must seek uninterrupted time with the Father.
Through prayer, we develop intimacy with God, seek His will, and draw strength from His presence.
Luke 5:16 - 16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Application: Set aside consistent, intentional time to pray daily, not just in crisis, but as a spiritual discipline.
Additional Verse:
🔹 Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection Question:
Is prayer my last resort or my first response?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Prayer isn’t just a discipline—it’s the soul breathing in the presence of God.
Practices
B. Study of the Word
B. Study of the Word
God's Word is our guide for holy living. Without it, we lack the foundation for discernment and growth.
God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12).
Through it, God shapes our thoughts, decisions, and identity.
Main Verse: Hebrews 4:12 12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Additional Verse:
🔹 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching... that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Reflection Question:
Application: Make time to read, study, and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to shape your mind and actions.
Am I reading Scripture to check a box—or to hear the voice of the Living God?
Reflection Question: Am I reading Scripture to check a box—or to hear the voice of the Living God?
“The Bible is not a book of information, but transformation—it’s where the Spirit trains the soul.”
“The Bible is not a book of information, but transformation—it’s where the Spirit trains the soul.”
🔹 Final Phrase:
Practices
C. Fellowship with Other Believers
C. Fellowship with Other Believers
The Christian walk is not meant to be solitary.
We grow in community.
The early church grew strong through shared meals, teaching, and prayer
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42–47 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Additional Verse:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
🔹 Hebrews 10:24–25 – 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Application: Engage in your local church, small groups, and acts of service. These strengthen and mature your faith.
Reflection Question:
Am I walking my faith journey alone when God designed me for community?
Reflection Question: Am I walking my faith journey alone when God designed me for community?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Iron sharpens iron—your training partner is sitting in the pew next to you.
Practices
D. Practice of Piety in Daily Life
D. Practice of Piety in Daily Life
True godliness is reflected in our actions—how we treat others, our integrity, and how we live when no one is watching.
True godliness (eusebeia) must show in how we live: honesty, purity, kindness, and generosity. It’s how faith becomes visible
Application: Evaluate your daily choices. Are they aligned with God’s Word? Live intentionally to reflect Christ.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Additional Verse:
🔹 James 1:22 – 22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Reflection Question: Do my daily actions reflect God’s holiness and compassion—or just my own comfort and convenience?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Godliness is not just how you worship—but how you walk.
3. The Results of Spiritual Training
3. The Results of Spiritual Training
A. Growth in Christian Character
A. Growth in Christian Character
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Spiritual disciplines shape us into the image of Christ—producing love, humility, patience, and self-control.
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) is not achieved by effort alone, but by consistent surrender and practice.
Reflection Question: What area of my character needs transformation to look more like Jesus?
Application: Allow the Holy Spirit to identify and transform the areas in your character that need growth.
Reflection Question: What area of my character needs transformation to look more like Jesus?
🔹 Final Phrase:
God trains us not to be better versions of ourselves, but to be reflections of His Son.
Results
B. Preparation for Life’s Challenges
B. Preparation for Life’s Challenges
When trials come, those trained in godliness are not easily shaken; they are grounded in faith, hope, and resilience. Faith rooted in Christ provides peace in the storm.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Main Verse: Matthew 7:24–25 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Additional Verse:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
🔹 James 1:2–4 – 2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Application: Stand firm in God’s promises, knowing He is with you through every storm.
Reflection Question:
Do I turn to God when pressure comes—or do I collapse under the weight of it?
🔹 Final Phrase:
Storms reveal the strength of your roots—train now, stand later.
Results
C. A Powerful Witness to the World
C. A Powerful Witness to the World
A godly life is a compelling testimony of God’s transforming power.
A life trained in godliness becomes a light to the world.
People may ignore sermons, but they will notice transformed lives.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Main Verse: Matthew 5:14–16 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Additional Verse:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
🔹 Philippians 2:14–15 –14Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Reflection Question: When people see me, do they see someone who’s been with Jesus?
Application: Live in such a way that your life draws others to Jesus—your character, words, and actions should all reflect Him.
🔹 Final Phrase:
Your life may be the only gospel some people ever read—train so they read truth.
Conclusion: A Call to Commit
Conclusion: A Call to Commit
Paul's call in 1 Timothy 4 is urgent and personal.
The word train (gymnaze) implies sweat, repetition, and sacrifice. But it also points to eternal reward. You don’t drift into godliness—you train for it.
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Tim. 4:7b, NASB)
The Christian life is not passive. It’s a race, a discipline, a calling.
Paul urges us to “train ourselves for godliness.”
Just as athletes sacrifice, focus, and discipline themselves for a crown that fades, we are running toward a prize that lasts forever.
Final Challenge:
Final Challenge:
Evaluate your current spiritual habits.
Where do you need more discipline? Where is God calling you to grow?
Which spiritual discipline do you need to commit to today?
What small daily step can you take toward deeper intimacy with Christ?
Final Prayer
Final Prayer
Final Appeal: A Call to Commit to Spiritual Training
Final Appeal: A Call to Commit to Spiritual Training
We’ve seen today that godliness doesn’t happen by accident.
It is the result of intentional training — daily choices that align our hearts with God’s.
The time we live in is full of distractions, deceptions, and spiritual laziness.
But God is calling His people to rise up, to shake off complacency, and to pursue Him with renewed passion.
So let me ask you plainly:
What are you training for
Are you spending more energy on what is temporary than what is eternal?
Are you spiritually coasting — or are you training for godliness with purpose?
Maybe you’ve neglected prayer.
Maybe your Bible has gathered dust.
Maybe you’ve been drifting from fellowship.
Today is a moment of decision.
Like an athlete hearing the starting bell, it’s time to run.
Like a soldier answering the call, it’s time to train.
💬 Challenge:
💬 Challenge:
Will you commit today to begin or renew your spiritual training — not for appearance, not for religion — but for the deep joy of becoming more like Jesus?
🙏 Invitation to Respond (optional):
🙏 Invitation to Respond (optional):
Whether silently or through prayer, say to the Lord:
“Lord, I commit to training myself for godliness. Strengthen me. Discipline me. Draw me deeper. I want to reflect You in every part of my life.”
Final Prayer
Final Prayer
Lord, help us to prioritize spiritual training in our lives. Give us discipline, perseverance, and passion for You. May we grow in godliness and reflect Your love to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lord, awaken in us a hunger to train for what truly matters. Give us strength to reject distractions, courage to embrace discipline, and joy in drawing closer to You. May we grow in godliness, and may our lives glorify You in all things.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
