Malcolm Cox Malcolm Cox

Introduction 

A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, some more thoughts on how God changes us. 

This week we take a look at some practicals of spiritual growth put forward by Richard Foster. His bio can be found here, and many helpful articles here. His book, Celebration of Discipline changed my life. 

Foster offers us a list of twelve spiritual disciplines as outlined in the picture below. 

Foster's teachings offer a modern take on ancient practices, designed to help us grow closer to God. We'll not unpack the disciplines today (read the book!), but we will explore some key principles. 



1. Spiritual Disciplines require self-discipline, but self-discipline is not what changes us 

Richard Foster’s approach to spiritual disciplines isn’t about self-discipline. You see, self-discipline can only take us so far. It doesn't have the power to conquer habitual sin or bring about deep, lasting change. For that, we need something more profound – we need inner transformation, and that’s where God steps in. 

Righteousness is a gift from God (Romans 5.17). So, how do we align ourselves to receive this gift? This is where spiritual disciplines come into play. 

Spiritual disciplines aren’t about passivity or self-effort. Instead, they place us in a position where God can do His transformative work within us. Think of them as invitations to access the power of God in our lives. By practicing these disciplines, we’re cooperating with God, opening ourselves up to His grace and strength. 

2. Delight in God and the spiritual disciplines will delight you 

Foster teaches that the more we delight in God, the more our desires change to align with His. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our hearts begin to mirror His heart, and our desires start to reflect His desires.


Psalm 37.4 
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” 

Remember, engaging in spiritual disciplines isn’t about passing a test or meeting a set standard. Foster encourages us to see these practices as a playground or a laboratory – a space to experiment, explore, and experience God’s freedom and joy. Jesus wants to set us free, but often, we make it harder than it needs to be. 

Conclusion 

Take a moment to consider: Is there a particular spiritual discipline that God might be inviting you into right now? It could be prayer, fasting, study, or something else entirely. Listen to that gentle nudge and explore what God might be leading you toward. 

So, as you go about your week, I encourage you to embrace a spiritual discipline with a heart full of curiosity and openness. Allow God to work within you and transform you from the inside out. 

Next time we will wrap up this focus on how we change. 

Your brother, Malcolm 


Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. 


Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review. 

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License



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Introduction

A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, the connection between being a new creation and change.  How do we change?
Last week we explored the nature of spiritual growth. That it is empowered by God, aimed at Christlikeness and enabled by Jesus.

“[We]…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV)

This week we will take the last point further and look at some key principles of spiritual change. Spiritual growth is:

1. Both practical and mystical
Our main avenue for spiritual growth is to walk with Jesus as one of his followers - just like they did when Jesus was on this earth. On one level, simply saying 'yes' to Jesus' offer of friendship is all that is needed. As someone said, ‘Proximity makes disciples’.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV11)
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: How can we live 'in proximity to Jesus' today?
In addition, we grow as we cooperate with the Spirit, which is a mystical enterprise. Harking back to the passage in 2 Cor 3.18....
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:8 NIV11)
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: If the work of the Spirit is mystical, how can we cooperate with his work in us?

2. Both quick and slow
Sometimes growth comes in a flash.
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism” (Acts 10:34 NIV11)
DISCUSSION: Share a time when you grew quickly
More often, growth is slow and meandering.
"Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" John 11:16 (NIV)
"Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'" John 14:5 (NIV)
'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.' A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' John 20.24-29
DISCUSSION: Share about an aspect of spiritual growth that took time to develop in you

3. Both personal and corporate
Your journey is unique. Don’t compare yourself to other people, only to your past self. Relationship is more art than science - not engineering.
“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”” (John 21:21-23 NRSV)
Your growth is personal, but not private
“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 NRSV)

Conclusion
Spiritual growth can be stimulated and catalysed by our actions, but the key is to open ourselves up so that God can do his work. 

For reflection
* Which points do you find yourself most comfortable with and why—practical, mystical, quick, slow, personal, corporate?
* How have you seen God work for your transformation so far?
* Do you find it easy or hard to open yourself up to God doing his work?
* What will help you most to cooperate with God’s work in your life?
Next time we will go on to look at another aspect of change, focusing on models of

Teaching Tip 367 | “Plain Speaking - make your devotionals special” | Malcolm Cox 

Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 

"A good devotional…should immediately capture your listeners' interest and sharpen their appetite..."

Bercot offers the following thoughts.





Short
A stimulus
1 point
1 illustration
Immediate application

This recording comes out after I'm will have done something like this at one of our services in Watford. I want to help the congregation - and especially the children - to engage with the theme of the service, which is a special emphasis on the Lord's supper. At the beginning of the service I will be talking about favourite meals and sharing one of mine. I also have an illustration involving a voucher for the "just eat" service.

What are your thoughts on the techniques Bercot raises? 

Conclusion

Next time, we will explore preparing an expository sermon.

Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.

Remember to keep calm and carry on teaching.

Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.

Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com  

The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com  
Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. 

If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review. 

Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm

Introduction

A new creation! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to this series on ‘A new creation’. Today, another model that may help us understand how God changes us. This week we take a look at a model of spiritual growth put forward by James Bryan Smith. By the way, I heartily recommend his book, The Good and Beautiful God. You can also find helpful articles written by him on the Renovare site. 

Smith's model is a variation on the model developed by Dallas Willard and Trevor Hudson in previous Quiet Time Coaching episodes. 

We will focus on the key difference - 'Adopting the narratives of Jesus'. His key idea is that we have a narrative in our minds about how we are doing spiritually, who God is, how he views us, what he wants from us and how we grow. However, our narratives are not always accurate. Thus, it is critically important we allow the narratives of Jesus to shape our own. 

"Our family, cultural and even religious narratives might have their roots in the kingdom of this world. As Christ-followers we are called to “set [our] minds on things that are above” (Colossians 3:2). Most of all, we are called to have the very mind of Jesus: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Adopting Jesus’ narratives is a way we come to have the mind of Christ. Once we get the right narratives in place, change will begin." The Good and Beautiful God" p26 

This practice is not just about knowing the stories of Jesus but letting them reshape our very being. What does this mean? Let's break it down. 

1. Look at Father God through the eyes of Jesus 

Read passages where Jesus speaks to God -- for example, John 11:41-42, Matthew 11:25-26, John 17:4-5 -- and meditate on what they reveal about the way he is seeing God at those moments. What narrative about God and himself is going on in the mind and heart of Jesus? 

Imagine you’ve always seen God as distant and unapproachable. But through the eyes of Jesus, you encounter a God who is loving, forgiving, and present. This new narrative can fundamentally change how you relate to God and yourself. 



2. Imitate Jesus 

Next, let's explore imitation of Christ. Think of it as a spiritual apprenticeship. As you study Jesus’ actions and attitudes, you start to reflect those in your daily life. This isn’t about perfect mimicry but a heartfelt transformation where Jesus’ way becomes your way. 


John 13.15 
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” 

When faced with a difficult situation, ask yourself: "How would Jesus respond?" This kind of active engagement with Jesus' teachings leads to real-world spiritual growth. 

3. Community 

Engaging with Jesus’ narratives is often best done in community. In a group setting, we can learn from each other, offer support, and grow together. This mirrors how Jesus taught His disciples, fostering an environment of shared learning and encouragement. 

Mark 8.27 
“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”” 

We all see Jesus a little differently due to our varied life experiences and personalities. 

Conclusion 

When Jesus’ attitudes, thinking and teachings become the lens through which we view our lives, every part of us is transformed. 



For Reflection 





When you meditate on the Scriptures showing us how Jesus viewed Father God, what changes in your view of God?
How can you prevent imitating Jesus from becoming mechanical? What part does prayer have in this growth process?
What do you see as the key ways community can aid your spiritual growth?

Next time we will go on to look at celebrating disciplines.
 
Your brother, Malcolm

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or su

You can find more notes on this lesson here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/who-is-rich-luke-16-19-31-malcolm-cox-09-june-2024/ 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm

Teaching Tip 366 | “Plain Speaking - Reading Scriptures with Zest” | Malcolm Cox 

Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 

"...it's of utmost importance that when you read from the Bible, it enhances your sermon rather than detracts from it." 112

Bercot offers several tips. Five are below.





Check your references
Read an intelligible translation
Repeat the Scripture reference
Pause before reading

Read with expression. For example, think of how different Matthew 5.3 sounds when we read it with meaning.

What are your thoughts on the techniques Bercot raises? 

Conclusion

Next time, we will speak about the special place for devotionals.

Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.

Remember to keep calm and carry on teaching.

Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.

Contact us here with enquiries: courses@aimukandireland.com  

The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com  
Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. 

If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, "How God grows His people", sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review. 

Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm