Don Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, is our guest this week. He is well known for his classic work Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, first published in 1991 and subsequently revised and expanded to its current version in 2014. Don is also the author of Crossway's newest book, Praying the Bible. Later, we'll chat more about the new book. Thank you for your time, Dr. Whitney.
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Tony, it's a great honor and privilege to be on the program. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you.
Absolutely. Now that 2016 has here, there is a fresh interest in disciplines, particularly spiritual disciplines, that comes with a new year. The first of the year is an excellent time to restart our spiritual routines. So, in honor of the first week of the new year, I'd like to ask you five of the most frequently asked questions about spiritual disciplines. As a result, we'll begin with a wide question: What are the spiritual practices in general?
Spiritual disciplines are practices found in Scripture that encourage spiritual growth among believers in Jesus Christ's message. They are devotional habits, habits of experiential Christianity, that God's people have cultivated from biblical times. I've broken them down into six distinct categories.
What is meant by spiritual discipline?
Spiritual disciplines are practices that are intended to help people change their lives. Their goal is to help us grow spiritually as Christ's disciples and improve our relationship with God. They're similar to spiritual training activities. However, just like any other form of exercise, we must choose to perform it on a regular basis in order to feel or see the benefits. So, what are these practices, exactly? Consider the following lists from two of the most influential publications on the subject from the twentieth century:
Dallas Willard's The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives
- Abstinence disciplines include seclusion, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, confidentiality, and sacrifice.
- Study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission are the disciplines of engagement.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to structure these lists of spiritual disciplines, as well as which disciplines are included. So, how did these practices come to be? Because they've endured the test of time, the majority of them are considered spiritual disciplines. Finally, Christians have decided to incorporate these disciplines into their spiritual lives because they are practices that Jesus himself practiced or taught about, according to the Bible.
What does the Bible says about spiritual discipline?
Spiritual practices are a good way to keep your religion in shape. The Apostle Paul explains in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 that while physical training is beneficial, it is much more vital to prepare for godliness. Prayer, fasting, simplicity, silence, isolation, service, giving, and, of course, Bible study and meditation are all good ways to improve our spiritual fitness. In the Christian religion, there is no single comprehensive list of spiritual disciplines, although all of them have their roots in Scripture. I'd like to talk about a practice that has revitalized my spiritual life and improved my relationship with God's Word: memorizing Scripture. When addressed with prayer, this type of meditation can assist establish the groundwork for spiritual health and godliness.
God instructs us to write his commandments on our doorframes and to bind them as symbols on our palms and foreheads (Deuteronomy 6:8). We're told to put them on our hearts, both literally and metaphorically (Deuteronomy 6:6). Why? So that we don't forget the Lord who freed us from sin's shackles (Deuteronomy 6:12). “I have concealed your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” says one who knows God's Word (Psalm 119:11 NIV). It sets the sword of the Spirit in our hands, allowing us to drive off temptation to sin at any time, whether we have a physical Bible with us or not. That is exactly what Jesus accomplished. He memorized Scripture and responded to Satan's temptations with a slash from the Word of truth (Matthew 4:1-11).
In my own experience, I discovered that, far from hindering my knowledge of God's Word, rote memorization considerably boosted it. I found myself thinking about what verse 3 meant when it said “you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ” as I worked on memorizing Colossians 3. My eyes, mind, and even tongue passed over the lines again and again, each one building steadily on the other; I found myself thinking about what verse 3 meant when it said “you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ.” It seemed to me that understanding this crucial term enabled me to grasp the rest of the chapter's putting to death, ridding, taking off, putting on, clothed, forgiving, letting, submitting, and obeying. Before I can do anything, I have to recognize that I have been crucified with Christ and given new life in him. I have received deeper wisdom of God and his perfect will through every amount of Scripture memorizing I have ever done.
Scripture memorization is difficult. There is no such thing as a “easy method” for memorizing Bible verses or passages. You may, however, identify strategies and resources that are tailored to your learning style to help you achieve. Here are some pointers:
Begin your new habit by memorizing one verse per week. Pray and ask God to show you what to memorize and to assist you in doing so. You could memorize individual verses, a short chapter, or a group of verses that form a theme (like perseverance, for example). God may even lead you to memorize entire chapters or even a book. Start by adding one new verse per week, whatever your objective is.
Continue to study the passages you've already remembered as you add new ones. For example, if I memorized John 3:16 the first week, I should reread John 3:16 when memorizing John 3:17 the next week. This will aid with the memorization of the scripture, especially if you're memorizing a passage or chapter. Retrace your steps and recite all the verses you've memorized in your current plan to that point each week when you add a new verse. Of course, if you continue memorizing for a long time, reviewing all of the passages you've ever studied on a weekly basis will become too time consuming. Instead, while working on your present memorizing plan, pick which passages you'd like to review. You can keep even sections you've memorized for a long time fresh this way.
Start memorizing by reading the material in context, aloud if feasible, whether it's only one verse or an entire chapter. Then read the passage you're working on multiple times, making sure to pronounce each word clearly. Saying the passage aloud will help you remember the words and phrases. Repetition is effective. If you're a kinesthetic learner like me, writing or typing out the verse may be beneficial. You can also print a verse, clip the words apart, and then put them back together again. A variety of digital tools for memorizing are available online or as mobile apps. Working with another person, such as a family member or a friend, adds accountability and allows you to encourage one another as you memorize God's Word.
Scripture memorization refreshes and strengthens our intellect. God's own words are tucked deep within our hearts, and his Spirit draws them out when we need them. By memorizing Bible verses, we have them at our fingertips to encourage fellow Christians and to share with people who do not yet know God in a loving manner. The act of memorizing is a type of Bible meditation. There are numerous strategies and instruments available to assist, but none of them make it simple. After all, the goal is for the scripture to be memorized for the rest of one's life. Scripture memorizing will put you to the test. Knowing God, his Word, and his perfect will, on the other hand, is well worth the effort.
What is the importance of spiritual discipline?
I wrote on fasting last week, but I realized I should have began this brief column series with a response to the question, “Why should a person fast?”
“Why should Christians exercise any spiritual discipline?” is another good question to ask. Spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, should be practiced because of the benefits they give in terms of godliness. Piety or holiness are two definitions of godliness, but one I like is this: godliness is acting as Jesus would if he were in our shoes. Spiritual disciplines, in other words, assist us in thinking and acting more like Jesus.
To begin with, spiritual disciplines teach us how to please God. “I do nothing on my own but communicate exactly what the Father has taught me…I always do what pleases Him,” Jesus said. 8:28,29; 9:28,29; 10:28,29; 11:28
Reading, studying, remembering, and meditating on Bible texts, for example, can help us understand God's goals. Intake of the Bible teaches us God's methods, warns us when we're on the verge of spiritual peril, demonstrates how to return to spiritual safety, and aligns us with God's will.
When we put this knowledge into practice, we, like Jesus, delight God. We won't be able to pursue godliness without the spiritual discipline of Bible intake.
Second, spiritual practices help us to remain in God's presence. “Jesus frequently retreated to lonely areas to pray.” 5:16 (NIV). Jesus had mastered the art of quieting his mind and seeking God's presence. Jesus said short and long prayers, both with and without others. Prayer, when practiced on a regular basis, maintains us in God's presence, where Jesus resided. Having a constant dialogue with God helps us maintain control over our emotions and desires, as well as resisting temptation. Pursuing godliness, however, necessitates the spiritual discipline of prayer.
Finally, a word of caution and encouragement: I believe people avoid spiritual disciplines for two reasons: first, disciplines are not always successfully taught, and I often freeze rather than move when I lack information. Others, I believe, are experiencing the same difficulties.
It's risky to ignore God because of a lack of knowledge. If you don't know how to pray or study the Bible, ask a Christian friend; you'll both benefit from learning together. Second, spiritual disciplines necessitate effort. Any activity that benefits us usually necessitates some effort. Spiritual conflict, in addition to effort, frequently accompanies any technique we do to attain godliness.
But don't despair! Christ promises that He will never abandon us, but will provide us with the assistance we require through the Holy Spirit. Strength, endurance, and even spiritual protection are all provided by him. Why don't you get started right away? Memorize and pray the following Scripture prayer, and consider what it means for your life: “I pray to the Lord, and He responds from His holy mountain. I lie down and sleep, and then I wake up because the Lord keeps me alive. “I'm not afraid…” Psalm 3:68
Pursuing godliness with the support of other brothers and sisters in Christ is always beneficial.
What is the biblical meaning of discipline?
Discipline is to instruct, correct, reprimand, or rebuke in the ancient Hebrew of Proverbs. It does not imply that you will be punished or beaten.
What are spiritual disciplines UMC?
If you questioned the majority of individuals in your congregation, they would almost certainly respond that they want to get closer to Christ. However, if you asked them to explain how they intend to do so, you would very certainly be met with silence. If you want to assist your congregation become more Christ-like, start by encouraging them to pay more attention to spiritual disciplines.
Spiritual disciplines are biblical behaviors that help Christians grow spiritually.
While God's grace is undeserved, Christians should participate in “means of grace,” according to The Wesleyan Means of Grace.
Practices like Bible study, prayer, and charitable service, which are divided into works of piety and charity, can assist accelerate, fortify, and confirm a Christian's faith. Without these, a person's religion not only stagnates and becomes useless in the church, but it also fails to grow.
Furthermore, while communal disciplines (those meant to be undertaken in acts of community) exist, there are numerous practices that should be practiced separately.
How can you inspire your congregation to make spiritual disciplines or practices a habitual part of their lives, given their importance?
Preach about spiritual disciplines
While it may seem self-evident that Bible study, prayer, and corporate worship are essential, you cannot presume that all Christians are aware of their importance.
Learn about Wesley's principles and modern-day instances of each, then preach about them. Use fresh techniques to depict Bible lessons to attract your audience's attention and encourage them to think imaginatively about their own Bible studies.
Look for sermon ideas online, including sermons by John Wesley. Include cultural examples to demonstrate the need of Christians getting active in activities that seek justice, end oppression, and help the poor.
Pray with and for your church
Don't simply pray for your church; pray with it, especially if you're trying to teach others to pray.
Many people, particularly those who go to church regularly, are hesitant to pray. They believe that prayers should be said in a certain way, with certain phrases they don't understand and postures they don't know how to imitate.
Schedule times for you and your congregation to pray together to help your congregation develop its prayer life. Consider holding classes or workshops where people can get together to learn new techniques to re-energize their prayer habits.
Promote opportunities to put disciplines into practice
Each week, most churches provide many chances for members of the congregation to engage in worship and receive the sacraments. You may make it easier for uncommitted or new Christians to find a place in your church by providing unique worship opportunities in nursing homes, college campuses, and prisons.
Many people are also unaware that spiritual disciplines like as charity, generosity, and self-sacrifice exist.
Encourage Christians to participate in service projects such as food and clothing drives, feeding the destitute, and prison relief programs, emphasizing that these are methods for Christians to not only offer love but also to develop in their faith.
Sunday school classes and small groups that meet in homes are fantastic ways to inspire your congregation to dig deeper into God's word since getting started is frequently simpler when you do it with like-minded individuals.
Remember, it's critical that your congregants start incorporating these principles into their personal life as well. Solicit participation from your church in particular times of private prayer, Bible study, and fasting for spiritual rejuvenation.
Provide resources for your congregation
By giving resources, you may help your congregation become more enthusiastic about spiritual disciplines. Print a list of freeinternet sites that offer personalBible study programs, different translations of the Bible, and commentaries for extra study, such as Bible Gateway, BibleStudyTools, or YouVersion. Make a note of them in your Sunday bulletin. Enlist a volunteer to lead a course on how to investigate Bible passages or study the Bible in new ways.
Consider providing classes or visual aids to assist Christians in learning how to strengthen their faith. Make arrangements for your group to read through the Bible in a year. If your church has a library, make sure everyone in your congregation knows about it.
Spiritual disciplines, while as old as the church, are just as relevant today as they were when it was created. Encourage your congregation to not just desire but also act in order to achieve their spiritual goals.
Assist in making spiritual disciplines a reality in your church's corporate life as well as in the lives of its members.
Who was disciplined in the Bible?
Timothy's spiritual training by Paul was paideia. Timothy was encouraged by Paul, but he was also gently rebuked from time to time. In I Timothy 2:24-25, he told Timothy (and us) to do the same.
“The Lord's servant must not dispute with others, but must be kind with all, competent to instruct, patient, and gentle in correcting those who oppose him, so that God may grant them repentance and full knowledge of the truth.”
“However, avoid profanity and old wives' tales. Exert oneself in the direction of godliness. For while physical exercise has some worth, godliness has infinite value, as it offers the promise of both now and future life” (I Timothy 4:7-8).
Spiritual discipline, Paul equated to physical training, which is a shadow of spiritual realities. As parents and disciple-makers, we should gently encourage and admonish our children as they spiritually develop and mature.
What is the original meaning of discipline?
Let's take a look at the definition of discipline to see what it actually is and what it signifies.
Discipline's fundamental word is “disciple,” which derives from the Latin word discipulus, which means “student.” Most people think of a disciple as a follower (due to the religious context), however it actually refers to a learner, as in “one who studies.”
Discipline is derived from the Latin term disciplina, which means “teaching and training.” It comes from the Latin word discere, which means “to study.”
What isn't discipline?
Discipline isn't defined by rules, regulations, or penalties. It isn't about conformity, obedience, or enforcing rules. It isn't stiff, monotonous, or repetitive in nature.
Discipline is not something that is imposed on you by others. It is something that you do for your own benefit. You can get teaching or guidance from a variety of places, but discipline does not come from outside sources. It's a personal issue.
Discipline isn't about following someone else's rules in order to escape punishment. It is the process of learning and implementing deliberate criteria in order to attain meaningful goals.
Discipline is a decision you make… your decision. It is a choice. Even better, all of your choices.
It's critical to distinguish between discipline as an external or internal dynamic, an obligatory regulation or a personal choice. Understanding this on a deeper level is the first step toward a more disciplined existence.
You are in controlnot anyone or anything elsewhen you understand discipline as a choice. More discipline, greater options, and more power. Less discipline, less control, and less choice.
I plan on working out at 4:45 a.m. My four-month-old kid wakes up at 6:00 a.m. every day and, like many babies, requires a lot of time and attention. I need to look after him, make coffee, get ready, and be at work by 7:30 a.m.
When my alarm goes off, I choose to be disciplined and get up, workout, wake up my son, love on him, and go to work. My first victory of the day is complete, and my mind is free to focus on my next tasks, knowing that my workout is complete and that I won't have to “find the time” to make it up later. I have command of myself and my day. Because I worked out hard, I can even splurge a bit at lunch or supper. I earned because I burnt.
My alarm goes off, I select default, sleep in, wake up my son, continue to love on him, and go to work. I'm disappointed in myself on both a mental and emotional level since I should have gotten up and exercised. My mind is trying to figure out when I'll be able to make it up. Tonight? Too rushed, too late, and too exhausted. Tomorrow? My day off was supposed to be today. I'm now dissatisfied and distracted. I have no control over myself or my day. Because I'm already having a bad day, I'm worried and irritable, and my discipline begins to wane. As a result, I make rash eating decisions at lunch and supper. It would have been better to be consistent.
The two situations outlined above can be applied to any situation in any setting. We retain control of ourselves and how we move through our surrounds when we maintain our own personal discipline, our decision.
When we lose our own discipline, as well as our ability to choose, we relinquish power to other people, external events, and the inevitability of life's randomness. “Man's Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl describes how we drift and become the plaything of events.
More discipline, greater options, and more power. There are better alternatives. Higher expectations. Skill has improved. More adaptability.
Less discipline, less control, and less choice. There are fewer possibilities. Lowering the bar. Insufficient ability. There is less flexibility.
Go ahead and put this newfound knowledge of discipline to the test: what it is, how it works, and why it works. Throughout the day, keep an eye on yourself. Keep an eye on the individuals around you. Compare and contrast these words with what you see. Get out in the field and get your hands dirty.
What is spiritual discipline PDF?
Spiritual disciplines are transformational activities that are purposefully pursued via daily deeds of deeper living. All historic religious traditions undergo spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and worship, which advance the individual toward the divine.
How do you get spiritual discernment?
Because every decision must be made in line with God's will, Christian spiritual discernment can be distinguished from other types of discernment. Christian discernment is defined as a decision-making process in which an individual discovers something that can lead to future action. God leads the individual through the process of Christian spiritual discernment to help them make the greatest decision possible. In Christian spiritual discernment, the greatest approach to arrive at the best option is to look for internal and outward indicators of God's action and then apply them to the situation at hand. Christian discernment also places a strong emphasis on Jesus and making decisions that are consistent with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. Christian discernment differs from secular discernment in that it focuses on God and Jesus while making decisions. Ignatius of Loyola is widely regarded as a master of spirit discernment. Ignatian discernment is named after Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who developed his own distinct method of Catholic discernment. Ignatian discernment focuses on perceiving God in all aspects of life and uses a series of Spiritual Exercises to help people make better life decisions. The Spiritual Exercises are intended to assist those who are confronted with a significant life decision. Identifying the issue, spending time to pray about the choice, making a wholehearted decision, discussing the choice with a mentor, and lastly trusting the decision made are the seven steps of discernment to be followed.