Apr102008
Learning the Spiritual Disciplines
Filed under Reflections, Spiritual Disciplines by Paul at 3:53 pm on Apr 10 2008
I would like to begin a series of posts/discussions on the “spiritual disciplines” for the purpose of learning together how we as Christians do as 1 Peter 3:18 says “grow in grace”.
Over the next months I’d like to discuss the various practices and exercises that we can “do” that help us in the process of transformation in Christ-likeness. These disciplines include things such as prayer, fasting, Scripture reading/meditation/memorization, solitude, celebration, service, and more. They range from personal exercises to things that we do together.
But, first what are spiritual disciplines?
Discipline - any activity that we can do by direct effort that will help us to do what cannot now be done by direct effort alone.
My favorite way of explaining this is that if I want to be able to lift 300lbs (which I cannot now do) I would have to begin doing exercises that I can do that would enable me to one day be able to lift 300lbs.
Spiritual Discipline - an intentionally directed action by which we do what we can do in order to receive from God the ability of power to do what we cannot do by direct effort.
It is a misconception to think that as a Christian we will instantly have the inner character that God wants us to have (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.). And unfortunately many times Christians, knowing they should have at least some of these character traits, focus their efforts on trying to be patient or trying to love their enemy or neighbor. But the reality is that these fruit do not come by our “direct effort” or “trying” they come as a result of what Paul calls “training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
The goal of the spiritual disciplines is not to become masters of them, it is to place ourselves before God as “living sacrifices” so that He can transform us and give us the power to live the life He has called us to live. There is no exhaustive list of spiritual disciplines as virtually anything can become one as long as it points us towards the goal of transformation.
So as we begin this series, a few questions:
What spiritual disciplines do you practice?
Which do you have trouble practicing?
How have spiritual disciplines helped you to grow?
Which would you like to learn more about?
1 beckyon 13 Apr 2008 at 12:47 am
i am coming here after some searching for depth, so happy i bookmarked this!
yes, i do practice spiritual disciplines, the majority of them are the ones listed above. the most i have trouble with are memorizing scripture, been reading the same passages for years now but cant seem to remember where they are! very frustrating i think its the discipline part that i lack. also, fasting, my experiences with it have been nothing short from excellent, but its the when and how that i need some further shaping in. every discipline i have ventured into has grown me, stretched my faith, shook my foundations, and humbled me. i would love to hear how others also deal with these exciting yet challenging facets of our walk with Jesus.