Derwood Alliance Church

In this sermon discussion, Pastors Mark and Devin delve into the concept of spiritual practices or disciplines as essential tools for following Jesus and becoming more like Him. They outline nine classical practices: Sabbath, prayer, solitude, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness. The pastors emphasize that these practices are not legalistic rules or only for "professional Christians," but rather blessings from God intended for all believers to intentionally shape their spiritual formation.Mark and Devin highlight how these practices counteract what Richard Foster calls the enemy's tools of "noise, hurry, and crowds." For example, Sabbath counters hurry by providing time for rest, worship, and delight. Prayer and solitude combat noise by creating space for connection with God and self-reflection. The pastors stress the importance of disconnecting from distractions, particularly technology, to fully engage in these practices.They also discuss the challenges o