by flaivoloka – from www.sxc.hu
This is the third post in this series. The introduction is here. The last post was on practical teaching.
Private Disciplines
In today’s post we explore private disciplines as an essential part of the faith development process. It is necessary to attend worship and Bible study in a congregational setting (Heb. 10:25). But it should not be enough. Our faith should take on a personal expression when we read the Bible and pray as a part of our personal life. Typically this is when one’s faith really begins to take off.
Andy Stanley wrote in the book Deep and Wide, “Personal spiritual disciplines introduce a sense of intimacy and accountability to our faith walks. Private spiritual disciplines tune our hearts to the heart of God and underscore personal accountability to our heavenly Father” (Location 1258, Kindle).
Our personal spiritual life is in a direct correlation with our overall spiritual life. When a Christian is not praying, reading, or meditating upon God’s will they open themselves up for the darts of Satan (Eph. 6:10-22). Another private discipline that is not often considered is our personal stewardship. A Christian should be cheerfully giving from their heart to the Lord (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
Some Tips for Parents
- Begin early, like after they can read, requiring and encouraging them to read sections of their Bible, Bible story books, and their Sunday school lessons.
- Teach them to pray. Encourage them to pray out-loud with you before meals and at bedtime. Encourage them to pray with their siblings if they share a room before bed. (It is so sweet to listen to their prayers!)
- Let them give something to the Lord each week. If they have an allowance or earn some money they should be taught at that moment to give God his percentage (a minimum of 10% is a good biblical principle to use). It disappoints me to see so many teens who work not consider giving to the Lord. Parents must teach their children how to give.
- Finally let them see your example on this issue. Let them see you reading the Bible, let them listen to your prayers, and discuss with them the practice of giving.
Some Tips for Churches
- Give resources for church members to use in developing these disciplines. New Christians especially need guidelines and instruction on how to pray and a Bible Reading plan.
- Do congregational events to emphasize these disciplines. We have done several times a day of prayer and fasting. Many churches do some congregational Bible reading program. We have done this the last two years and I coordinate it with the sermon topics. Hopefully this helps accomplish the concept of practical teaching discussed in the last post.
- Church leadership must model these disciplines. Though it is not likely these will be physically witnessed by the members, the leaderships consistent involvement in Bible study, prayer, and giving will be evident to the members. New disciples need to have strong examples of men and women in the church who are daily Bible readers and prayer warriors.
The reason God asks us to be involved on a personal basis with prayer, Bible study, and giving is because it builds our faith and our relationship with Him. It is not about how much we read, give, or pray; but rather about the relationship and communication that is shared through these means.
I often say in talking to couples that TIME and COMMUNICATION are the foods of love. A relationship needs these to grow. In our relationship with God we need to have time and communication through private disciplines so our relationship with God will grow.
