|
Spiritual Disciplines FAQWhat are spiritual disciplines?
Christians engage disciplines regularly to open oneself to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual disciplines give God access to one’s heart so that God can gradually transform the believer into Christ’s likeness. Spiritual disciplines are how the believer cooperates with the Holy Spirit in the ongoing process of sanctification. Believers have practiced spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, meditation, worship, Bible study, and fasting, to name a few, since the time of Christ.
How do disciplines differ from practices?
There are many different ways to practice a spiritual discipline. For example, the spiritual discipline of prayer may be practiced as breath prayer, centering prayer, intercessory prayer, the Jesus prayer, etc. The specific way one integrates a spiritual discipline into one’s life may be called one’s practice.
How do I get started?
Most likely, you are already practicing a spiritual discipline in your life. Worshipping with your family of faith, studying or meditating on Scripture, and spending time in prayer are all spiritual disciplines.
To begin a new spiritual discipline in your life, first, be intentional about starting. Say, “I will begin developing this discipline into my life.” Second, learn about the discipline. Read a book or article that explains the discipline’s purpose and practice. Third, experience the discipline. Invest most of your time doing the discipline, not just learning. Finally, don’t give up. Experiment with the discipline until you find a practice or experience that best connects you to God. The purpose of all disciplines is to open our lives to God as God transforms us into the image of Jesus.
|