Peak of the Week: Train Yourself – Godly Disciplines, Part 1

Categories:Peak of the Week
by John Stephen Smith

Train Yourself

“Until I come, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, etc.” 1 Timothy 4:13

Now understand clearly – A _____________________________________ is the goal! We are to train ourselves to be “godly.” As with almost any type of training, there are necessary disciplines that accompany the desires we have for success. So, if our desires become “Godly Desires”, the next step is to determine what some “Godly Disciplines” are. Disciplines are the habits (processes priorities, regimens, routines) that connect to the goal and help bring about the desired outcome.

PURPOSES OF GODLY DISCIPLINES

Hebrews 12:11 says “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Now, even though this passage is talking about the disciplines that come through hardships and we’re talking about the daily habits of godliness, there are similarities in disciplines – particularly the end result! Again, they “produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Godly disciplines are different in that they are intentional. They are planned and purposeful. They come from godly desires, but desires and disciplines work in tandem. The more godly your desires become, the more effective your godly disciplines will be. But vice versa, the more disciplines you practice, the more your desires will become godly. It’s a win-win combination.

COMMON DISCIPLINES

Now, again note the basic disciplines or practices that the first Christians were devoted to in Acts 2:42 – “They were devoted to doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.” These four devotions (or GODLY DISCIPLINES Series: TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY – 2 © Wayne Monroe disciplines) are very fundamental and indicative of the first things the first Christ-followers did as a result of their salvation. These four should not be viewed as duties but as delights, not so much as a discipline but as a devotion to be continued on a regular basis

  1. The Discipline of B___________________________________ “devoted to the apostles’ teaching”
  2. The Discipline of C___________________________________ “devoted to fellowship”
  3. The Discipline of D___________________________________ “devoted to the breaking of bread”
  4. The Discipline of E___________________________________ “devoted to prayer”

UNCOMMON DISCIPLINES

  1. The Discipline of F___________________________________ Matthew 4:2, 6:16; Acts 13:2-3, 14; Ezra 8:23 Q – Why is this needed for godliness?
  2. The Discipline of G ___________________________________ 1 Timothy 4:11-14; Ephesians 4:7-16 Q – Why is this needed for godliness?
  3. The Discipline of H___________________________________ 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 Q – Why is this needed for godliness?
  4. The Discipline of I___________________________________ 1 Peter 4:9; Heb. 13:1-3; Acts 28:7; Romans 12:13, 16:23; 1 Tim. 5:10; and 3 John 8. Q – Why is this needed for godliness?

QUESTIONS & EXERCISES
For Daily Devotionals or Bible Study Group

  1. What are some words you could use other than “disciplines” to describe the growth steps that the early Christians manifested in Acts 2:42? What do you learn from these descriptions?
  2. How does the discipline of fasting help you in the pursuit of godliness? What are some actions you need to take?
  3. How does the discipline of personal ministry help you in the pursuit of godliness? What are some actions you need to take?
  4. How does the discipline of generosity help you in the pursuit of godliness? What are some actions you need to take?
  5. How does the discipline of hospitality help you in the pursuit of godliness? What are some actions you need to take?
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