An introduction to the spiritual disciplines the art of manliness. This book is a must read for all christian leaders, whether in a spiritual community or in the world. The spread of such principles to the world would revolutionize. Much has been written about working the steps and staying sober. I read it after i had read several dozens of other spiritual formation books. Outlining the various stages of spiritual growth and how we can find christ in every circumstance, this study enables believers to lay aside every sin and weight that would hinder them in their walk with god. What spiritual disciples do you follow to help you grow closer to god.
Spiritual disciplines exercise our spirit, mind, and emotions so that we become closer to god. Above all, the discipline of divine grace is derided as legalism or is entirely unknown to a generation that is largely illiterate in the scriptures. How to practice the spiritual discipline of silence rzim. We do that by practicing the spiritual disciplines. Below are some resources that can help get you started with practicing the spiritual disciplines. Pdf the spiritual disciplines as practices of transformation.
The more we practice these disciplines, the better we get at them, and the stronger we make our faith. Buy a cheap copy of practicing basic spiritual disciplines. However, just because christians have been practicing all of these practices, it did not mean that i was practicing them, or had even heard or thought of some of them. Whitney makes in his work, spiritual disciplines for the christian life 2014, navpress. The spiritual disciplines are conceptualized here in their relationship. Spiritual disciplines are practices of transformation intentionally pursued through the daytoday actions of deeper living. God has something to say about bible study, prayer witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience, but many churches are unknowingly losing what god wants in an effort to become more relevant and increase attendance. Practicing basic spiritual disciplines thomas nelson. Practicing spiritual disciplines new hope and broad top. Calhoun provides what you need to practice and get to know god better, which is essentially the reason you should be looking into spiritual formation books in the. So i embarked on what would turn out to be a fouryear journey intensely and intentionally practicing twelve ancient. They consist primarily of a set of disciplines and a series of moral traits traditionally. Stanley personal published on 20090831 by thomas nelson. Spiritual disciplines and mental health dave spriggs piedmont.
If you want to grow spiritually, practice spiritual disciplines. 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. It would make a good companion book to other books on the. They come directly from the bible and all have the same goal in mind if our motivation is correct. Welcome to the website of the book practice these principles. Jesus is the way to lifeand not just life after death, but life here and now.
I read practicing our faith as part of a growth group and found it interesting. Adele ahlberg calhoun, spiritual disciplines handbook. When i first created this page before i read his book, i wrote, a very important discipline that i would add to the list below is the discipline of forgiveness and overlooking offenses. The ageold tools of bible study, prayer, witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience are still relevant today. Saint ignatius is famous for writing a book commonly.
Each of these practices has been lifechanging for me in cultivating the fruit of the spirit and experiencing christs love, peace, and joy to greater depths. Like so many, the brand of christianity id known had run its course. They are habits of devotion, habits of experiential christianity that have been practiced by gods people since biblical times. These disciplines are typically organized into two categories. These principles are spiritual in nature, for they are grounded in god and his will for us. The spirit of the disciplines book by dallas willard.
Ultimately, these practices will lead to you becoming more like the savior. In practicing basic spiritual disciplines, you will examine several such practices that will help you mature in christ and develop a consistent and unwavering walk of faith. Download practicing basic spiritual disciplines pdf free. New life growth by practicing spiritual disciplines.
I pray that they will help you in your spiritual walk as you move toward health and wholeness. The ageold tools of bible study, prayer, witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience are still. One author defines the spiritual discipline of silence as, a regenerative. An introduction to the spiritual disciplines the art of.
This book, along with richard fosters celebration of discipline, were instrumental in introducing spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation into the. The church leaders best books series is our way of helping leaders find, read, and. Extra pages are supplied for notes and prayer requests. This book is one of my favorite spiritual formation books. Mcneal looks at the good and bad characteristics of a. Ten chapters also include the ten hallmarks of spiritual strength, as well as the four rs of spiritual growth. Dallas willards examination of the disciplines of the christian life is an unparalleled book on the subject. Looking for a church with modern spiritual disciplines. Todays post outlines eight spiritual disciplines as described in richard fosters book, the celebration of discipline. God has something to say about bible study, prayer witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience, but many churches are unknowingly losing what god wants in an effort to become more relevant and. The purpose of training the soul, of practicing the spiritual disciplines, is to align them aright. If you could see my copy, you would think that i must have had it for decades. Looking for a church with modern spiritual discipli. Examine some of the essential practices for maturing believers which lead to godly strength and a consistent, unwavering walk of faith with dr.
Originally published in 1991 and revised and updated in 2014, whitneys book is regarded as a modern classic in the field of biblical spirituality and the spiritual. Spiritual disciplines for the christian life by donald whitney is one of the first books that i received as a new christian. 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. Practicing basic spiritual disciplines the in touch study. Practicing the spiritual discipline of silence helps to restore the peace and clarity that eludes the soul of a weary christian pilgrim. Whitney will help you understand and practice the most. Practicing basic spiritual disciplines 9781418541170 by. What this book did for me was open my eyes to the many different types of spiritual disciplines that christians have been practicing over the years. The spiritual disciplines are those practices found in scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of jesus christ. That is a good thing as a people we can never draw too close to god or have too strong of a spiritual appetite. God has something to say about bible study, prayer witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience, but many churches are unknowingly losing what god wants in an effort to become more.
Dallas willard bases his entire spiritual disciplines book on his understanding of matthew 11. Long considered a classic, this book is now in its longawaited second edition, and it is better than ever. From the bible, we progress to booksthe reading of which must become an evermoredisciplined life practice for us all. There is much talk today about the spiritual disciplines. Perhaps, even when sunday school classes are full, small groups well attended, and spiritual disciplines regularly practiced, these practices are. Search for spiritual disciplines and you will come up with lists ranging from a few practices to giant, enormous, booklength lists. Ps one book in particular on spiritual disciplines that i have found helpful in my own faith journey as a person and as a pastor is the book celebration of discipline by richard foster. He is a new york times bestselling author who has written more than 60 books, including the bestselling devotional every day in his presence.
Spiritual disciplines a practical strategy practices such as reading scripture and praying are importantnot because they prove how spiritual we are but because god can use them to lead us into life. This book will be great both for new believers just starting on their journey and as. It seems that there is a renewed interest in learning about and practicing spiritual disciplines today. I describe them several ways 6 aspects of that description. Practicing basic spiritual disciplines by charles f. Practicing basic spiritual disciplines the in touch study series. The nook book ebook of the the in touch study series. Ptp is based on the understanding that these principles are embedded in the steps, and that we work the steps by practicing the principles they embody. They help us see his will for our lives more clearly so that we can live the life he desires for us. Practices that transform us, revised and expanded, downers grove. The bible has no comprehensive spiritual disciplines list we should practice, but it does.