The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. The word rendered “discipline” in the New American Standard translation is the Greek word gumnasia from which our English words gymnasium and gymnastics derive. This word means “to exercise or discipline,” which is why the King James Version renders 1 Timothy 4:7 as “exercise thyself r

There is an invitation to all Christians to enjoy God and the things of God through the Spiritual Disciplines. All in whom the Spirit of God dwells are invited to taste the joy of a Christ-centered, gospel-based, Spiritual Disciplines lifestyle.

Christians in a gluttonous, denial-less, self-indulgent society may struggle to accept and begin the practice of fasting. Few Disciplines go so radically against the flesh and the mainstream of culture as this one. Nevertheless, we dare not overlook its biblical significance. Of course, some people, for medical reasons, cannot fast. Still, even tho

Without pen in hand or fingers on the keyboard, I can get so distracted in meditation that I begin tacking one unrelated thought to another until I’m shingling off into the fog of daydreams instead of thinking in the light of Scripture. The discipline of writing down my meditations in my journal helps me concentrate. Sitting with pen and paper or f

God wants you to enjoy giving. Some people give to God like they fork over to the IRS after an audit. Others give to God like they pay their electric bill. But a few people give to God like they give an engagement ring to their fiancée or like they give wrapped surprises to their ecstatic four-year-old on Christmas morning. Some give because they k

Praying regularly with others can be one of the most enriching adventures of your Christian life. Many of the great movements of God can be traced to a small group of people He called together to begin praying.

More than almost any other Discipline, journaling has a fascinating appeal for nearly all who hear about it. One reason is the way journaling blends the Bible and daily living, like the confluence of two great rivers into one. And since each believer’s adventure down life’s river involves bends and hazards previously unexplored by him or her on the

On a long fast you discover that some of the food you normally eat isn’t really necessary. When you practice silence and solitude, you find that you don’t need to say some things you previously thought necessary.

The general rule, then, in your personal, daily intake of Scripture is to both read and meditate. Read at length—such as a chapter or more—then go back over what you’ve read and select something specific from that as the focus of your meditation. Read big; meditate small.