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Adam and Eve lived in a harmonious relationship with the world* around them. (1) They tended to the plants and animals, (2) but there was no blood or sweat in their labor.  Their basic needs were met without pain or sacrifice.  Their rebellion destroyed this harmony. (3) The curse from their sin caused creation itself to groan,  and human life became difficult and painful in the world.  It remains so til this day. (4)

The curse, however, will not last forever. (5) Jesus is the second Adam, (6) who has come to restore all that was lost. (7) He demonstrated His authority over all things, (8) loaves and fish, (9) the wind and the waves, (10) disease (11) and even death itself. (12) Jesus invites us to enter into His Kingdom where we experience the wise and loving power of God Himself over our world. (13) Read Matthew 6 where Jesus teaches about how to relate to religion, culture, money, food, and material possessions, with righteousness and faith.

Wisdom: Effective Stewardship

Jesus knew how to do good and powerful deeds that produced abundant life for the individuals and communities He interacted with. (14) Do I know how to accomplish good deeds that add to the flourishing of the world? (15)

Justice: Righteous Stewardship

Jesus recognized that all things were made by God. (16) Do I treat the world, and everything in it, as though it actually belonged to God? (17)

Courage: The Powers of Darkness

Jesus confronted the demonic forces that twist human beings and the world we live in, at great cost to Himself. (18) Do I stand with God in confronting of the powers of evil at work in our world? (19)

Self-Control: Temperance and Moderation

Jesus did not allow His desires and passions to rule Him, and did not give in to temptation; even in compassion for others He was not led by the needs of others, rather He was led by the Spirit. (20) Am I the master over my natural desires, or am I enslaved by them? (21)

Faith: God’s Provision

Jesus trusted His Father to take care of His daily needs out of the abundance of the world He had created. (22) Do I trust that God will give me my “daily bread?” (23)

Hope: The Coming Kingdom

Jesus lived in the promise of a world where all things have been made new, and all wrongs have been set right. (24) Do I look forward to a day when the whole universe will be renewed, without suffering and without a curse? (25)

Love: The Present Kingdom

Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated the rule and reign of God here and now for the sake of the world. (26) Do I join with God in caring for the world I live in now; working to see the abundance of God flow to every corner of our world? (27)

If Jesus were “in my shoes,” how would my relationship with the world* be different than it is now?

How could my relationship with the world be healthier, and more Christlike?

Can I name any specific problems in the way I now relate to the world?

What choices must I make if I am going to relate to the world the way Jesus does?

Where do I need to repent of unrighteous attitudes, ideas, decisions, or habits?

What do I need to embrace in order to love the world appropriately?

What are the barriers to loving the world appropriately?

What will repentance cost me?

What will I have to give up in order to love the world appropriately? (relationally, emotionally, financially, etc.)

Am I willing to make that choice?

Communicate that to God

Communicate that to another person

How will this choice affect my actions?

Is there a specific act of obedience that I should practice?

Will it change the way I am currently practicing spiritual disciplines?

Is there a new discipline I should be practicing?

 

*insert a specific aspect of the world: food, money, property, culture, politics, creatures, ecosystem.

**It will be helpful to note that Scripture uses the word “world” in many different ways.  Sometimes the Scriptures use “world” to mean the whole system of life that stands in opposition to God. (28)  This is obviously not something we are to love.  However, “world” is also used in the same way we use it in everyday life, the planet we live on and everything that goes on here. (29)  It is this second meaning that we are here concerned with.

Disciplines focused on our relationship to the world:

Study

Fasting

Simplicity

Sabbath

Generosity