Spiritual Disciplines For Christian Living
The Book By Donald Whitney
Introduction To Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual Disciplines … For The Purpose of Godliness
Ours is an undisciplined age. The old disciplines are breaking down. Above all, the discipline of devine grace is derided as legalism or entirely unknown to a generation that is largely illiterate in the Scriptures. We need the rugged strength of Christian character that can come only from discipline.
V. Raymond Edman
What Are Spiritual Disciplines
According to the word of God, a Christian is to take an active role in the church. These activities are those that will activate and strengthen the inner man within the born-again believer. But what are they?
- Read
- Memorize
- Meditate
- Prayer
- Worship
- Silence
- Journaling
- Serving
- Stewardship
- Evangelize
- Fasting
- Learning
When Do We Practice Disciplines
Choose the time that makes the most sense. One discipline may be best done daily, another may be done weekly. Create a plan that best suits all of your obligations yet allocates the time necessary to achieve the end goal of GODLINESS.
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
Who Participates In This Exercise
The bible teaches that we make up the body of Christ. We are to renew our mind. We are to encourage one another. We have the Holy Spirit that will point us toward Jesus, always.
- You – Romans 12:2
- With Others – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- With The Holy Spirit – John 16:13
Where Do We Practice These Disciplines
Just as Jesus rose early in the morning and went to a quiet place to pray, we will need to find our place to practice these spiritual disciplines. Wherever we choose to go, let’s remember our spiritual position is in the presence of our Lord
- A quiet place of solitude. Mark 1:35
- Alongside fellow believers.
- In the world as ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
Why Do We Need Spiritual Discipline
Ever since we were children the world has been programming our flesh. The body wants what it wants, when it wants it! It’s now time to listen to the Spirit of God and give Him control. We need to be walking in the Spirit of God.
- We are body, soul, spirit – 1 Thes 5:23
- To Pursue Godliness – 2 Peter 1:5-7
- To Give Control Over To The Spirit
- To Experience God
1 Corinthians 12 : Gifts Of The Spirit.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
- Spiritual Disciplines to exercise Spiritual Gifts
- Who receives these gifts?
- Gifts, Administrations, Operations all come from one Spirit, Lord, and God.
- Given to every man for the work of the church.
- What are the gifts of the Spirit?
Galations 5 : Fruit of the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- Spiritual Disciplines to produce Spiritual Fruit.
- The work of the Holy Spirit.
- What does scripture tell us about the seed and the fruit?
- Luke 8:11 : The seed is the word of God Spirit.
- The word of God is the seed. Once planted in the garden of your heart will produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit!
2 Peter 1 : Christian Progression
1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Addressed to those that have received the gift of FAITH.
- His divine power has given us all things for life and godliness.
- How? Through the knowledge of Him.
- Why? Glory, Virtue and to be partakers of the Divine Nature.
- Be Diligent! We are instructed to add to our faith: Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Kindness, Charity!
- Why? To know our Lord Jesus Christ through a growing spiritual relationship! Practice your Spiritual Disciplines!
How Do We Start
Adjust your priorities. Find time in your day where you can turn down the volume on the world and turn up the volume on the Spirit. Set a pace that will allow you develop a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do a work in your heart.
- Read the Book
- Read the Study Guide and Answer Questions
- Make The Time
Bible Intake
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.
- All scripture is inspired by God
- Profitable for instruction in righteousness.
- Honor God through good works.
- Diligently seek knowledge from the word of God.
Listen To Bible Preaching
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Romans 10:13-17
- Anyone who calls on Jesus shall be saved
- Belief is a result of hearing.
- Hearing is a result of preaching.
Read The Bible
Psalms 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
- Exercise spiritual disciplines with open eyes
- The promise and gift of the Holy Spirit.
- He points us to Jesus and reveals His truth.
Study To Learn
Psalms 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
- Context is key! Use the 6 W’s of study.
- Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Study Tool: Use a good Study Bible.
- Study Tool: Greek/Hebrew Interlinear.
- Study Tool: Concordance.
Memorize The Word
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Ephesians 6:13-17 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- What did Jesus do in the wilderness?
- Prepare yourself for temptation.
- We fight against spiritual powers.
- They come prepared for battle.
- We have the sword of the Spirit!
- Take unto you the whole armour of God!
Meditate On The Word
Psalms 119: 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Meditate – the process of turning a thought over and over in your mind.
- We are told to renew our mind.
- Remove unrighteousness and replace with godliness.
- Sharpen the sword!
Disciplines In Harmony
Bible input is made more effective when combined with other spiritual disciplines. Make the most of your time in the word. Find a quiet place where you can pray before, during and after taking in the word of God. Remember to journal your thoughts and refer back to them regularly,
- Silence and Solitude
- Prayer
- Journaling
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES CLASS PRESENTATION
The following information is the material used for classroom training and discussion. Each section is in the form of a pdf document and each page of the document can be viewed by using the scroll indicators located at the bottom left side of each page.
Spiritual Disciplines chapter 1
Spiritual Disciplines chapter 2
Spiritual Disciplines chapter 3 part 2