Spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, fasting, singing, giving, etc. In a world where everything seems to be getting more complicated, this book will help us to downshift and refocus on the things that matter most. Don serves as professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean of the school of theology at the southern baptist theological seminary in louisville. Top 10 best dallas willard books dallas willard written works.
Jan 02, 2020 there are a number of popular programs and books today on the spiritual disciplines, but some go too far from scripture in an effort to outline various methods of disciplining oneself. While there are plenty of good books on the spiritual disciplines this is both a good introdution as well as a solid refresher. A hunger for god desiring god through fasting and prayer. They are habits of devotion, habits of experiential christianity that have been practiced by god s people since biblical times. Mathis, editorial director for desiring god and pastor of cities church in. He is well known for his classic book, spiritual disciplines for the christian life, originally published in 1991 and revised and expanded in 2014. Its possible to read our bibles, pray, attend lords day worship, and even take the lords supper for all types of carnal reasons. Daily discipleship guide csb is designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of scripture through daily bible reading. This book will be great both for new believers just starting on their journey and as a. From there mathis gives a solid biblical foundation for each discipline followed by practical tips to put them into practice.
Habits of grace study guide enjoying jesus through the spiritual disciplines. Remembering spiritual disciplines the exchange a blog. The spiritual disciplines pamphlet makes an excellent handout or bible study on christian maturity for a small group or sunday school class. So how about spiritual disciplines for the christian life by donald whitney. The spiritual disciplines are those practices found in scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of jesus christ. Enjoying jesus through the spiritual disciplines mathis, david. Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including desiring god. Whitney walks us through how to make these things a reality. Contents acknowledgments vii foreword ix chapter 1. Donald whitney spiritual disciplines lives transforming. This list isnt exhaustive by any means, and there are many others that should be on the list, but this should get you. Below, youll find a list of book recommendations by category. This is an especially good one, its well into its second edition now. His example in this discipline, like the book upon which he based the discipline, is still valid.
Disciplines for the disciple 7 disciplines for the disciple the discipline of meditation introduction 1. For individual practice, the most important personal spiritual disciplines are first, the intake of scripture, and second, prayer. Spiritual exercises that bring one closer to god, to become more godly in character and behavior b. Below are nine reasons why spiritual disciplines matter in church revitalization. Spiritual disciplines and legalism from randy alcorn epm on vimeo. The state of our heart is of utmost importance as we practice spiritual disciplines. To that end, we enlisted none other than jerry bridges. Strive for peace with everyone, were commanded in hebrews 12. Have you been longing to learn more about spiritual disciplines but havent known where to start. The primacy of prayer and scripture surely, for a life of growth in the grace and knowledge of the lord jesus christ, nothing can take the place of reading gods word and spending time in original, heartfelt.
Thus, since god commands holiness, the spiritual disciplines are mandatory 20. I appreciate his categories of gods voice, gods ear and gods body. David mathis has given us a book on the spiritual disciplines that is practical, actionable, and accessible. An inherent danger in spiritual disciplines is a propensity of the human heart to look to. In his excellent book, habits of grace, david mathis makes a compelling case for the importance of the spiritual disciplines, and he does so in such a winsome way that will motivate all of us to practice the spiritual disciplines of the christian life. Jesus is the way to life and not just life after death, but life here and now. Randy alcorn discusses spiritual disciplines and legalism desiring gods dont waste your life. Jun 22, 2018 i guess we need to have a book about the disciplines of the christian life, the spiritual disciplines. If we dont spend time with god daily, that choice tells us something. So why yet another book on the spiritual disciplines or, as david. First, practice the right disciplines those personal and interpersonal spiritual disciplines found in the bible.
The term spiritual disciplines is not in the bible. The spiritual disciplines are for enjoying jesus the gospel coalition. Dallas willard, in the spirit of the disciplines, and richard foster, in celebration of discipline, have compiled a list of spiritual disciplines and practices they believe were modeled in the life of christ. Why spiritual disciplines matter in church revitalization. Spiritual disciplines devotional intervarsity press. Although god will grant christlikeness to us when jesus returns, until then he intends for us to grow toward it.
In order to help you, i compiled a list of books i think that every christian should read. Spiritual disciplines for the christian life by donald whitney one of the primary ways we grow as men is through the practice of spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines are those personal and social activities given by god in the bible as the adequate means to be used by believers in jesus christ in the pursuit of godliness, that is, closeness to christ. Dec 31, 2015 the spiritual disciplines are those practices found in scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of jesus christ. Habits of grace study guide enjoying jesus through the spiritual disciplines happily ever after finding grace in the messes of marriage the hidden smile of god the fruit of affliction in the lives of john bunyan, william cowper, and david brainerd. Spiritual disciplines for the christian life by donald s. In habits of grace, mathis writes brilliantly about three core spiritual disciplines that will help us realign our lives and strengthen our faith. Focusing on a different core spiritual discipline each month, this yearlong devotional includes brief. Just last month he joined us at the desiring god offices, and we had the opportunity to talk briefly about the christian spiritual disciplines or means of grace, as jerry prefers.
The message of desiring god is that god is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him, that the great business of life is to glorify god by enjoying him forever. Each chapter gives an explanation and biblical basis for. How to live as jesus liveddallas willard, one of todays most brilliant christian thinkers and author of the divine conspiracy christianity todays 1999 book of the year, presents a way of living that. Donald whitney chose to focus this book on the personal disciplines alone, meaning that there are some core disciplines that are glossed over such as fellowship and confession, as well as dimensions of disciplines like prayer that are unnecessarily limited in the. Spiritual disciplines and legalism resources eternal. Through prayer, scripture reading, meditation, and more, we know god more. Some of these methods border on the mystical and the extrabiblical, sometimes delving into areas of eastern mysticism, catholic mysticism, and new age philosophy. Spiritual disciplines for the christian life audiobook. And hes also the author of the new book from crossway titled, praying the bible. Odallas willard there are many different spiritual disciplines that can help us to grow and mature in christ. If you have never read a book on habits of grace or spiritual disciplines, start with this one. Drawn from a rich heritage, spiritual disciplines for the christian life will guide you through a carefully selected array of disciplines.
Having been introduced to them by some of the classic books on the subject. Spiritual disciplines a practical strategy practices such as reading scripture and praying are important not because they prove how spiritual we are but because god can use them to lead us into life. I describe them several ways 6 aspects of that description. Of course theres so many books about the spiritual disciplines today, and for good reason. The spiritual disciplines are tools that god has used in my life to deepen my relationship with him. Unless we do it for god s glory, and our joy in him, it does us no ultimate good. Extremely helpful book with the foundation being 1 timothy 4.
This book explores how bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with other christiansthree foundational habits of gracehave the power to. Meditations of a christian hedonist by john piper there are few books that have my understanding of what it means to love god than this one. Randy alcorn discusses spiritual disciplines and legalism desiring gods dont waste your life randy alcorn. In february of this year, crossway released habits of grace. Remembering spiritual disciplines the exchange a blog by. Most of the times we read the word discipline in the bible it is in conjunction with reproof or correction using the hebrew word muwcar prov. Spiritual disciplines oa discipline is an activity within our power that enables us to accomplish what we cannot do by direct effort. In habits of grace, mathis writes brilliantly about three core. He speaks with a voice that neither scolds nor overwhelms, offering encouragement through suggestions and insights to help even the newest believer find a rhythm by which to employ these means of grace. The legacy of sovereign joy god s triumphant grace in the lives of augustine, luther, and calvin john calvin and his passion for the majesty of god a godentranced vision of all things the legacy of jonathan edwards. Insightful and heartwarming, this classic book is written for those who seek to know god better.
In this series we have defined spiritual disciplines as. Abortion adoption afterlife apologetics bible study calvinism church planting culturalsocial issues death disability discipleship discussion questions faith family fear forgotten classics god s holiness gospel grief hermeneutics humility identity idolatry into the art series jesus justice local church marriage men old testatment parenting. He is known for his modernday classic book, spiritual disciplines for the christian life. This conversation is especially relevant here at the beginning of 20 with so many new biblereading and prayer plans in the offing. Very good, but not better than the books mathis refers to often spiritual disciplines for the christian life by whitney, prayer by keller, and when i dont desire. His groundbreaking books the divine conspiracy, the great omission, knowing christ today, hearing god, the spirit of the disciplines, renovation of the heart, and the divine conspiracy continued forever changed the way thousands of christians experience their faith. Enjoying jesus through the spiritual disciplines, by david mathis, pastor at cities church in minneapolisst. The following pages describe many, but not all of the spiritual disciplines that.
There are a number of popular programs and books today on the spiritual disciplines, but some go too far from scripture in an effort to outline various methods of disciplining oneself. It is a great privilege and honor to be on the podcast, tony. Just last month he joined us at the desiring god offices, and we had the opportunity to talk. For new christians desiring to deepen their faith or longtime christians wanting to restore their first love, spiritual disciplines devotional will lead them in the right direction. Spiritual disciplines christian books, bibles, gifts. God centered books from the ministry of john piper. A gospelcentered spirituality is a sola scriptura spirituality. Most of the times we read the word discipline in the bible it is in conjunction with reproof or correction using the hebrew word muwcar. I appreciate his categories of god s voice, god s ear and god s body.
Oct 12, 2007 randy alcorn discusses spiritual disciplines and legalism desiring god s dont waste your life. Through prayer, scripture reading, meditation, and more. They are habits of devotion, habits of experiential christianity that have been practiced by gods people since biblical times. Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, worship, solitude, and evangelism. The spiritual disciplines pamphlet explains the classic spiritual disciplines that help us follow jesus. By illustrating why the disciplines are important, showing how each one will help you grow in godliness, and offering practical suggestions for cultivating them, spiritual disciplines for the christian life will provide you with a refreshing opportunity to. Enjoying jesus through the spiritual disciplines by. Abortion adoption afterlife apologetics bible study calvinism church planting culturalsocial issues death disability discipleship discussion questions faith family fear forgotten classics gods. May 23, 2014 drawn from a rich heritage, spiritual disciplines for the christian life will guide you through a carefully selected array of disciplines. In other words, under the influence of puritan theology, whitney expands the boundaries of the phrase means of grace taught by the reformers and the baptist catechism, which focuses on scripture, baptism, and the lords supper desiring god, question 95. Pursuing a passion for god through spiritual disciplines. This book is a decent introduction to some spiritual practices to help christians grow in godliness, but it feels incomplete.