BIBLICAL DISCIPLINES
INTRODUCTION
Here's a question: What would happen to your physical health if you never ate, never exercised, and never slept?
You'd fall apart. Your body needs consistent care to function.
Your spiritual life is the same way.
Read This:
Psalm 5:3 • Matthew 6:5-13 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • Colossians 3:16 • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Spiritual disciplines aren't legalistic rules. They're tools God uses to strengthen your faith, deepen your relationship with Him, and transform your character.
Think of them as channels through which God's grace flows into your life. You don't earn God's favor through these practices, but you do position yourself to experience His presence and hear His voice.
Building these habits isn't always easy. Some mornings you won't feel like it. Some days you'll be too busy. But consistency matters more than perfection.
Here's a simple plan to start your morning:
1. Prayer
"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up" (Psalm 5:3).
Starting your day with prayer sets the tone for everything that follows. Before the notifications, emails, and demands start flooding in, you're acknowledging who God is and inviting His presence.
Morning prayer doesn't have to be long or eloquent:
Thank God for a new day and His faithfulness
Confess any sin from yesterday
Ask for wisdom, strength, and guidance for today
Surrender your schedule, relationships, and decisions to Him
Even 5-10 minutes of focused prayer can transform your entire day. You're saying, "God, I can't do this on my own. I need You. This day is Yours."
2. Bible Reading
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Bible isn't just another book, it's God speaking to you. When you read Scripture, you're hearing God's voice, learning His character, understanding His will, and discovering His promises.
Start simple:
Pick a book of the Bible and read a chapter each morning
New believers: Here are some great books to start with: the Gospel of John, Romans, Ephesians, and Philippians
Read slowly and thoughtfully, quality over quantity
Ask yourself: What does this teach me about God? About myself? How should I live differently?
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). Don't just read it, meditate on it. Think about it throughout the day. Memorize verses that speak to you.
3. Journaling
While not commanded in Scripture, journaling is a powerful tool. It helps you:
Process what you're learning
Track God's faithfulness over time
Record prayers and see how God answers
Work through struggles honestly
Simple approach:
Summarize what you read in 1-2 sentences
Write one truth about God you learned
Note one way you'll apply it today
Write out any burdens that are weighing on you, that you want to submit to God
Your journal becomes a spiritual diary, a record of your walk with God that you can look back on during difficult seasons.
Prayer: Individual and Family
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
This doesn't mean you never stop talking. It means maintaining an ongoing awareness of God's presence throughout your day.
Prayer is simply talking with God. It can be:
Structured (scheduled time with a list)
Spontaneous ("Lord, help me with this conversation")
Written (prayers in your journal)
Silent (quiet meditation on God's Word)
God cares more about your heart than your eloquence.
If you have a family, praying together is one of the most important things you can do.
It:
Models faith for your children
Unifies your family around God
Creates spiritual memories
Teaches dependence on God
Start small:
Pray before meals, thanking God for His provision
Pray with your spouse before bed
Brief family devotional once a week
Pray with your kids before school
Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress. Even 2 minutes is better than nothing.
Building Consistency
Here's how to make spiritual disciplines stick:
1. Start small – Don't try to pray an hour and read ten chapters on day one. Start with 10 minutes total.
2. Be consistent – Same time, same place when possible. Consistency builds habit.
3. Give yourself grace – You'll miss days. Don't quit. Just start again tomorrow.
4. Remember relationship, not ritual – The goal isn't checking boxes; it's knowing God more deeply.
One more thing: These practices won't save you.
Only Christ saves. They won't make God love you more, He already loves you completely. But they will:
Strengthen your faith
Help you hear God's voice
Transform your mind and heart
Equip you for life's challenges
You're not earning God's favor. You're positioning yourself to experience the fullness of the relationship He's already given you.
Think About It:
What time of day could you realistically set aside for prayer and Bible reading?
Which discipline (prayer, Bible reading, journaling) do you think would benefit you most right now?
If you have a family, what's one simple way you could start praying together this week?
Prayer:
Father, I want to know You more. Help me build habits that draw me closer to You. Give me discipline when I don't feel like it and grace when I stumble. Speak to me through Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.
