Getting prepared
- Select Your Bible Translation: This should be one you easily understand, but is also accurate. If you select the Message or Voice it would be wise to use the NIV or NAS/ESV to confirm accuracy. Additionally, read in whatever format is easiest for you to comprehend as much as possible (DVD, Audio, Digital, Print, or have someone read to you).
- Select Your Journal: Make this fun. Find one that combines writing space with an opportunity to create or paste visuals.
- Select Your Pen: Multiple colors add clarity and vibrancy to your study.
- Select Your Music Device: You can use any digital device or music service. If you don’t have access to one of these, borrow one from a friend, or visit a local spot, where you can engage in “Deep Reflection,” while enjoying their soundtrack or radio station.
- Create Your “Spiritual Advisory Circle:” a combination of 3-6 family or friends, who you trust to help you change (See Stage Number 4 in Deep Change). Your progress toward change is greatly enhanced when you share your daily journey with others.
Understanding the theme
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8,10 NIV
“Deep Purpose” is the theme for the day, and since we studied “Deep Destiny” yesterday, it will be important to differentiate between the two. For our purposes, “Destiny” is the ultimate goal of your life, while “Purpose” is the path you will take and things you will do to get there.
The best way to understand your purpose is to know your destiny; however, if you don’t have a sense of destiny, then this theme can work in reverse. By looking at the good things you are able to do, and the gifts you use to do them, you can progress a long way in the direction of discovering what God’s destiny is for your life.
Daily reading
Read Ephesians chapter 2 at a moderate to slow pace. Read it again, but this time underline or circle words that help you see and understand how and why God has given you grace. Remember grace is unmerited favor, which means you didn’t have to do anything to earn it. God decided to love you for being you.
3 big questions
- What does it mean when Scripture says, “by grace you have been saved…and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works?”
- If we are not saved by works, then why does Scripture say, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works?”
- What does it mean when Scripture says, “which God prepared in advance for us to do?”
One big paragraph, one big prayer
Write a meaningful paragraph describing what the grace of God means to you, and how this grace might be meant to inspire you to believe in a unique purpose for your life. Use this paragraph as a launching pad for a powerful prayer.
Develop your soundtrack
After your prayer, spend a few minutes selecting an additional song for your spiritual soundtrack. This song should explain something of how you have felt during this quiet time
This soundtrack will provide background sound, so even when you are in the midst of a number of people, or a significant amount of noise, you can allow your mind and heart to enter “Deep Reflection.”
Create your visuals
Select, draw, or take a picture so you can place it in your journal. Your goal with this visual is to be able to take one look at the picture, and remember exactly what you learned, how you felt and what you were thinking today.
Share your discovery
Share whatever lessons you have learned today with your “spiritual advisory circle.” It doesn’t matter whether your thoughts are positive, negative, or neutral. The key is knowing you’ve discovered something about God and yourself today, which will ultimately draw you closer to him; if you share it, you will then grow closer to people as well.
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As the editor in chief for Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell writes, teaches, and innovates with his eyes on the future. His teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition and infused with vision for building a transformative church. His passion to inspire even the most skeptical to view God through fresh eyes can be found in his book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself.
As the editor in chief for Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell writes, teaches, and innovates with his eyes on the future. His teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition and infused with vision for building a transformative church. His passion to inspire even the most skeptical to view God through fresh eyes can be found in his book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself.