Discipline: Training Your Soul’s Habits

Every dedicated disciple must employ spiritual disciplines in order to grow for the long haul. Through these disciplines, you train the habits necessary for your soul.

  • Distinctive Discipleship – Designing Specific Plans for Christian Maturity
  • Category #5: Discipline
  • “For this I toil” (Col. 1:29)

Evaluate

  • Are you satisfied with your commitment to spiritual disciplines?
  • Spiritual disciplines are premeditated activities that encourage spiritual growth.
  • If we cannot find time for spiritual training, we are investing our lives into something we value more.
  • Many lose interest in spiritual habits because they provide gradual progress in a world which sells immediate results.

Examine

1 Timothy 4:6-16

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.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.10 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.

11 Command and teach these things.12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

  • Why should a Christian prioritize spiritual disciplines?
  • Spiritual disciplines are not meant to make you more liked by Jesus but to make you more like Jesus (4:6-7).
  • Our souls need more work than our bodies (4:8-10).
  • Never use your age or experience to serve as an excuse (4:11-12).
  • Practice makes progress (4:13-15).
  • Your spiritual habits will not only impact you but also influence those around you (4:16).

Engage

  • What will be the next spiritual discipline you begin to improve?
  • Instead of being overwhelmed by working on all disciplines, prioritize strengthening one for the next few months.
  • Prioritizing one discipline as a dedicated activity will eventually transform it into a joyful habit.
  • Immerse yourself in training with one spiritual discipline that is essential for your soul’s health.
  • I will focus on the spiritual discipline of:
  • What are my next action steps?