At the beginning of the year some of the young adult ladies at my church decided that we wanted to do a book study together. I was so excited because for once our church actually had young adult girls! Most of us went off to college so we were gone for a while, but we all recently came back and so I was super hyped for this book study. I have also never joined one before so I was definitely looking forward to reading the same book and then meeting up to discuss it. Most importantly, there’s accountability with our reading and in our spiritual lives.
The book we decided to read was “Disciplines of a Godly Women” by Barbara Hughes. I know, upon hearing the word discipline it can be a turnoff, but the book is truly filled with words of wisdom and LOTS of grace. At the beginning of the book, Hughes addresses our wordly idea of spiritual discipline and gives us a new outlook on it
“Let’s face it: Many of us think of spiritual discipline in terms of ‘living the letter of the Law’ or as a series of draconian rules that no one could possibly live up to. Such legalism seems to us a path to frustration and spiritual death.
But true discipline is a far cry from legalism - thank God! The difference lies in motivation: Legalism is self-centered; discipline is God-centered. The legalistic heart says, ‘I will do this thing to gain merit with God.’ The disciplined heart says, ‘I will do this because I love God and want to please Him.’ The true heart of discipline is relationship - a relationship with God.”
She splits discipline into five categories: soul, character, relationships, ministry, and grace and within those categories, Hughes breaks it down even more specifically.
Soul
- Discipline of the Gospel - The Source of Godliness
By this gospel you are saved… . Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. 1 CORINTHIANS 15: 2-3
- Discipline of Submission - The Posture of Godliness
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11
- Discipline of Prayer - Submission’s Lifeline
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kind of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. EPHESIANS 6:18
- Discipline of Worship - Submission’s Celebration
Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ROMANS 12:1
Character
- Discipline of Mind - Submission’s Education
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ROMANS 12:2
- Discipline of Contentment - Submission’s Rest
All my longings lie open before you, O Lord. PSALM 38:9
- Discipline of Propriety - Submission’s Behavior
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. PHILIPPIANS 1:27
- Discipline of Perseverance - Submission’s Challenge
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. HEBREWS 12:1
Relationships
- Discipline of the Church - Submission’s Framework - God’s Family
I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 TIMOTHY 3:14-15
- Discipline of Singleness - Submission’s Framework - Singleness
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:17
- Discipline of Marriage - Submission’s Framework - Marriage
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man t be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” GENESIS 2:18
- Discipline of Nurturing - Submission’s Caress
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. GENESIS 3:20
Ministry
- Discipline of Good Deeds - Submission’s Industry
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPHESIANS 2:10
- Discipline of Witness - Submission’s Commission
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. ACTS 4:20
- Discipline of Giving - Submission’s Generosity
It is more blessed to give than to receive. ACTS 20:35
Grace
- Grace of Discipline
But by grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10
Spiritual discipline is essential in pursuing God and godliness, “None of us is born righteous; none of us naturally seeks God or is reflexively good. We need an abundance of God’s grace and help to discipline our lives.” I’ve been learning about how disciplining my soul, character, relationships, and ministries are ways to help me pursue God and His characteristics even more. In many ways, I’m also learning that in order to die to my flesh I do need these spiritual disciplines. If I ignore to discipline those areas of my life it’ll be harder to fight my sinful desires and we all know it’s a daily battle. Praise God that even in my failures to discipline myself that God’s grace remains steadfast and overflowing though. Hughes’ sweet reminder, “God is not counting your failures against you, and you’re not building a treasury of merit with your success. You are simply trying to bring some discipline to your spiritual life because you know it is what your heavenly Father wants for you. He understands our failures better than we understand our own children’s.”
Sisters, I pray that we will be able to discipline ourselves in the efforts to pursue God and godliness. May the Gospel be our foundation as we submit to God’s will and purpose for our lives. I fully trust that in our pursuit for God’s characteristics that there will be fruits and kingdom growth. In our failures may we receive God’s grace and pick ourselves back up. May we do everything all for the glory of God!
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