The spiritual Practice of Study unearths wisdom and treasures for our spiritual journey.  Going deeper through study nourishes the mind, heart, and spirit and leads to a healthy spirituality.

In March, we are exploring how this practice as a spiritual discipline strengthens our faith. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays.

As usual I created a free download for you and this month it is something different – an infographic called “The 7 C’s of the Practice of Study.” You can get this infographic for your reference and even use as a bookmark at no cost by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with God.

The following two weeks here on Healthy Spirituality, we will dive deeper into the 7 C’s of the Practice of Study.  Last week I introduced this topic with the post “Nourishing a Healthy Spirituality – The Practice of Study” and today I will share more background on its value and importance.

Be sure to sign up to get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox so you don’t miss any of the weeks (I promise I never over send stuff to you). And invite your friends to this blog and share on social media. I sure do appreciate the support in spreading God’s word.

What is Study?

One of my favorite books, a top shelf book, one I reread yearly is Richard Foster’s classic, Celebration of Discipline.

Foster defines the practice of study as “a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enable to move in a certain direction. Remember, the mind will always take on an order confirming to the order upon which it concentrates.”

Foster explains “What we study determines the kind of habits that are formed, which why Paul urges us to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious.”

Reminds of the saying from Earl Nightingale: “You become what you think about.”

Study is both head – the analytical and heart – the application. The combination of the two elements working together results in transformation.

Study is both head – the analytical and heart – the application. The combination of the two…
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Study – the Deep, Not the Shallow

Our world is drowning in shallowness right now.  Our culture exhumes sound bites, fast fixes, and Cliffnote summaries.

We need to study to put down deep roots that will sustains us in difficult stormy times and brings healthy nourishment to both our mind and hearts.

A.W. Tozer challenges us to “Follow hard after God.”

Living deep takes awareness, intention and time. We face life’s complex circumstances, wrestle with those difficult Biblical passages and allow ourselves to be vulnerable in admitting what we don’t know or understand.

Study requires work.

Study – A Lifelong Discipline

Study is a lifelong discipline. Lifelong implies a continual learning, repeating some lessons over and over again. Discipline refers to applying study, not by accident, by intention.

A lasting, constant desire to grow and feed our hearts and minds through a planned course of study.

Study grows through the seeking of ideas, the concentrating on the message, and allowing reflection and transformation to emerge.

Study grows through the seeking of ideas, the concentrating on the message, and allowing reflection…
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If you are a regular reader of Healthy Spirituality, you know by now I am a book lover.  Those of us who love to read and write, fall into the practice of study with enthusiasm.  But what is exciting about study is that we can learn not only by books, but in all sorts of ways.

I do love books, especially opening and delving into the Scriptures. Remember, though, we come to the Bible, not just to gather information, but to be changed and transformed.

God gives us so many other ways to enjoy this practice too:

Nature teachers us her wisdom if we look for her lessons purposefully.

Listening deeply to others, their experiences, their thoughts without judgment expands the mind and enlarges our hearts.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Proverbs 9:9

Rereading this today I know this post sounds more like background than helpful nitty-gritty on how to study. I do plan to come back to the basics with tips and how to’s  next Thursday as we delve into the 7 C’s Spiritual Practice of Study.  Don’t forget to download the infographic by clicking on the button below.

Click here to get the 7 C’s

Next Tuesday I plan to introduce a new monthly column – The Healthy Spirituality Book Chat where I will feature a book I am studying and what I am learning from its words.

And speaking of books, I am celebrating my birthday week by lowering the price of one of my books now through March 19, 2017. If you have never been on a retreat before or want to go deeper with this practice, you may be interested in a book I wrote last year, Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down to be with God.”  Both the e-book and the print versions are $2.00 off this week only on Amazon.

How does this essay about the discipline of study affect you?  What do you think? How do you use study in your spiritual walk?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

The post Diving Deeper for Treasures in the Spiritual Practice of Study appeared first on Healthy Spirituality.