Growing Deeply Week of January 11-16

a daily scripture guide

Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Read or subscribe to the full weekly Growing Deeply Guide at moumc.org/grow Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.

Naturalists Take the brief assessment below to see how much of a naturalist you are. Rate each statement 1-5, with 1 being not true and 5 very true. Taken from Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Souls Path to God by Gary Thomas._______1. I feel closest to God when Im surrounded by what He has made the mountains, the forests, or the sea._______2. I feel cut off if I have to spend too much time indoors, just listening to speakers or singing songs. Nothing makes me feel closer to God than being outside._______3. I would prefer to worship God by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group service._______4. If I could escape to a garden to pray on a cold day, walk through a meadow on a warm day, and take a trip by myself to the mountains on another day, I would be very happy._______5. A book called Natures Sanctuaries: A Picturebook would be appealing to me._______6. Seeing Gods beauty in nature is more moving to me than understanding new concepts, participating in a formal religious service, or participating in social causes.

__ Total (Any score over 15 indicates a preference for this spiritual temperament.)

Sensates Take the brief assessment below to see how much of a sensate you are. Rate each statement 1-5, with 1 being not true and 5 very true. Taken from Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Souls Path to God by Gary Thomas._______1. I feel closest to God when Im in a church that allows my senses to come alive when I can see, smell, hear, and almost taste His majesty._______2. I enjoy attending a high church service with incense and formal Communion or Eucharist._______3. Id have a difficult time worshipping in a church building that is plain and lacks a sense of awe or majesty. Beauty is very important to me, and I have a difficult time worshipping through second-rate Christian art or music._______4. The words sensuous, colorful, and aromatic are very appealing to me._______5. A book called The Beauty of Worship would be appealing to me._______6. I would really enjoy using drawing exercises or art to improve my prayer life.

__ Total (Any score over 15 indicates a preference for this spiritual temperament.)

Naturalists: Loving God Out Of Doors A naturalist sees nature as a cathedral; a place God has built.

MONDAY: Matthew 6:27-33 Lily Lesson: Being, not doing Just be like a lily. No toiling, spinning, worrying. Scripture reminds us that God cares for all of us, including the lilies.

TUESDAY: Matthew 6:27-33 Lily Lesson: In the now When in nature, you have permission to be fully present. Nature can center us in the now instead of the past or future.

WEDNESDAY: Matthew 6:27-33 Lily Lesson: Seek God Look for heaven on earth in nature.

Sensates: Loving God With the Senses Desire for the awe, beauty, and splendor of God; use the five senses to worship with their hearts.

THURSDAY: Matthew 14:34-36 All touch his fringes People begged to touch the fringes on Jesus cloak. His message preceded him, and upon meeting him they desired to touch his clothes. And they were healed. Read this scripture again with a piece of cloth in your hands.

FRIDAY: James 1:19-26 Hear the word This lyric might speak to a sensate: Speak, you have my attention, Lord. (Listen to the song Attention by Know Hope Collective)

SATURDAY: Luke 24:36-49 Look at me Jesus appears after the resurrection and invites the disciples to look at him his hands, his feet. How do you touch Jesus?