“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (1 Tim 4:7-10, ESV).
In our culture where ease and pleasure often rule the day, words like training and discipline are too easily rejected. Paul points out the value of bodily training, but quickly points out the superiority of training yourself for godliness. This is at the heart of spiritual formation. Spiritual Disciplines (see Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Updated and Revised. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014 and Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Revised and Expanded. San Francisco, Harper Collins, 1988) assist believers in their spiritual growth. As you develop your rhythm of spiritual development, consider employing some of these disciplines.
- Prayer (one of the two primary Spiritual Disciplines). Richard Foster writes, “Prayer is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives.”[1] Set aside a few minutes early in your day to enjoy communication with God. Prayer involves both speaking and listening. The primary way God speaks to me is through His Word. I often pray with my Bible open, reading a few verses and listening as God speaks to me, then pray about the things that the Holy Spirit brings to my mind. The Psalms are especially helpful to me in this regard.
- Bible Intake (the other fundamental Spiritual Discipline). Don Whitney describes six ways we can take in God’s Word: hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, meditating, and applying.[2]
- Worship. Recognizing our dependence upon God and honoring him through praise and exaltation plays a crucial role in spiritual formation. We worship God privately through our devotional practices and living a life of service to others in His name. In addition, we must be careful not to neglect public worship with other believers in a local church (Heb 10:25). There is a synergy in corporate worship that challenges and cultivates training in righteousness and links the body of Christ together in biblical unity and purpose.
- Evangelism. Evangelism is sharing the good news of Christ including his sinless life, vicarious death, burial, triumphant bodily resurrection, ascension to God the Father, and His promised return as the King. The gospel is centered in the person and work of Christ. As followers of Christ, we were left with the mission of faithfully sharing the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God. Pray for the salvation of your lost friends, co-workers, neighbors, and loved ones. Intentionally share the gospel with them.
- Stewardship. Our children (along with everything we have) do not belong to us. They belong to God. He has given them to us in stewardship. I have the honor of being their father, but I must always remember they belong to the Lord. As believers, we are called to spend our lives and resources in the service of our Lord. Time is a valuable resource. We need to spend our time wisely, honoring the Lord (Eph 5:15-17). We need to give regularly and faithfully to the work of the Lord through the local church.
- Fasting. Whitney states that fasting is the most misunderstood of the disciplines.[3] Believers should fast in ways that are God-centered. Fasting is abstinence from food for the purpose of godliness. A good way to begin is to fast from sun up to sundown. Instead of eating, spend time in prayer and Bible reading. Fasting does not (and cannot) manipulate God to do our wills. Rather the purpose of fasting is to help us understand His will.
- Silence and Solitude. Go somewhere where you will not be interrupted. Spend time with God in silence. Focus on God through prayer and the reading of His Word.
- Journaling. Write down what God is teaching you. Reflect on how you can apply his truth to your life. You may want to write some prayers to God.
- Learning. In an academic setting, it is easy to overlook this discipline for the purpose of godliness. A characteristic of a wise man or woman is a desire to learn and grow. The goal of learning, as a spiritual discipline, focuses on how it helps you become more conformed to the image of Christ.
This list is not exhaustive. What other spiritual
disciplines have you found helpful for your spiritual growth?
[1]Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, revised and expanded (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1988), 33.
[2]Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, updated and revised (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014), 21-78.
[3]Ibid., 191.