Personality & Spirituality 3Personality & Spirituality 3

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

BackgroundBackground

One God, many relationships

Myers-Briggs type indicators Extravert-Introvert Sensing-iNtuitive Thinking-Feeling Judging-Perceiving

Biblical characters Historic Church

movements

One God, many relationships

Myers-Briggs type indicators Extravert-Introvert Sensing-iNtuitive Thinking-Feeling Judging-Perceiving

Biblical characters Historic Church

movements

Sacred PathwaysSacred Pathways

LovingGod

naturalist

sensate

traditionalist

asceticactivistcaregiver

enthusiast

contemplative

intellectual

Sacred PathwaysSacred Pathways

LovingGod

naturalist

sensate

traditionalist

asceticactivistcaregiver

enthusiast

contemplative

intellectual

CaregiverCaregiver

Biblical example Mordecai

Biblical exhortations Matt 25 1 John 3:17

Biblical example Mordecai

Biblical exhortations Matt 25 1 John 3:17

CaregiverCaregiver

Patterns of caregiving

Caregiver as prophet

Patterns of caregiving

Caregiver as prophet

CaregiverCaregiver

Temptations Judging Serving ourselves through serving

others Holding Narrow Definitions Neglecting Those Closest to Us

Temptations Judging Serving ourselves through serving

others Holding Narrow Definitions Neglecting Those Closest to Us

EnthusiastEnthusiast

A feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it:

Skiing Enthusiastic Christians like to let

go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe.

A feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it:

Skiing Enthusiastic Christians like to let

go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe.

EnthusiastEnthusiast

2 definitions of Enthusiast. Mystery & Celebration

Mystery (of faith) Supernatural occurrence. The Unexplained.

2 definitions of Enthusiast. Mystery & Celebration

Mystery (of faith) Supernatural occurrence. The Unexplained.

EnthusiastEnthusiast

Mystery

They understand the secrets! God is central to everything!? Mystery and reason.

Mystery

They understand the secrets! God is central to everything!? Mystery and reason.

EnthusiastEnthusiast

Mystery – Joel 2 v 28 & Acts 2 v 17

Dreams (Jacob, Joseph, Daniel) Visions (Ezekiel, Isaiah, John) Expectancy Prayer

Mystery – Joel 2 v 28 & Acts 2 v 17

Dreams (Jacob, Joseph, Daniel) Visions (Ezekiel, Isaiah, John) Expectancy Prayer

EnthusiastEnthusiast

Celebration – Jesus is alive!!! Yeah!!!

Enthusiastic Worship – Woo Hoo!!! Tabernacles, Passover, Pentecost. David danced. (Many instruments) Jesus said – If the people are quiet,

the rocks will cry out!!!

Celebration – Jesus is alive!!! Yeah!!!

Enthusiastic Worship – Woo Hoo!!! Tabernacles, Passover, Pentecost. David danced. (Many instruments) Jesus said – If the people are quiet,

the rocks will cry out!!!

EnthusiastEnthusiast

Celebration Praise services. Celebration services. Fear of God? Soul Survivor, Spring Harvest, etc. Experience for experience sake? Independent. Good feelings, or good worship? Scripture?

Celebration Praise services. Celebration services. Fear of God? Soul Survivor, Spring Harvest, etc. Experience for experience sake? Independent. Good feelings, or good worship? Scripture?

EnthusiastEnthusiast

Have you lost Enthusiasm?

Spend some time with Children.

Have you lost Enthusiasm?

Spend some time with Children.

ContemplativeContemplative

Intro: Seeks to be in God’s presence

more than anything – Psalm 63, Song of Songs etc…

Mary (as opposed to Martha) is also a biblical example

Being with God is an end in itself

Intro: Seeks to be in God’s presence

more than anything – Psalm 63, Song of Songs etc…

Mary (as opposed to Martha) is also a biblical example

Being with God is an end in itself

ContemplativeContemplative

Practices: Practicing God’s presence through

familiar prayer or routine Secret acts of devotion e.g. an

anonymous gift to someone in need…

‘dancing’ prayer Less is more

Practices: Practicing God’s presence through

familiar prayer or routine Secret acts of devotion e.g. an

anonymous gift to someone in need…

‘dancing’ prayer Less is more

ContemplativeContemplative

Temptations: Becoming too heavenly minded for

any earthly good Unhealthy emphasis on the ego Addiction to experience

Temptations: Becoming too heavenly minded for

any earthly good Unhealthy emphasis on the ego Addiction to experience