Sanctification - Part 17

What are the most common and accepted current practice of the spiritual disciplines?

Probably the best list to follow is that generated by Baptist pastor and theologian, Donald Whitney. Whitney is careful to call the practitioner to focus their disciplines on God’s Word, and to make the goal, a deeper understanding of, and relationship with, God. And, he emphasizes these spiritual disciplines as both personal and corporate, and that they are to be learned and practiced within the local church. Whitney's list includes:

1. Bible Intake
2. Prayer
3. Worship
4. Evangelism
5. Serving
6. Stewardship
7. Fasting
8. Silence and Solitude
9. Journaling
10. Learning

(The list if from Whitney's book: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 1991)

The key point to remember when considering that Spiritual Disciplines should: (1) be discerned and guided from God’s Word; (2) be focused on God; thus, leading the participant to a deeper knowledge and obedience of him: and (3) that the practitioner must avoid making their self-discipline, or the practice itself, the central point of worship.

Rather, all useful forms of Spiritual Disciplines that “lead to Godliness” are those based in God’s Word, and that lead us closer to God. An in the end, they help us to realize our total dependence upon God for our spiritual growth and sanctification.

Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.