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Worship Study Devotional Assignment: [Insert Devotional Title and Delete Bracket]
[Insert Your Name Here and remove brackets]
WRSP 101: Introduction to Worship Studies
[Insert Submission Date Here and remove brackets]
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Note: This sample is not based on a principle of worship. For your devotional, be sure to
select one of the principles of worship from the Worship Study Devotional Assignment
Instructions. See the instructions for details.
Topic: Spiritual Disciplines
Scripture:
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but
we for an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I
discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be
disqualified” (I Cor 9:25-27, English Standard Version).
Narrative:
Over the years, I have been described with words such as orderly, methodical,
meticulous, and left brained. If you have met me, you have probably noticed a few of my
slightly obsessive tendencies. My roommates lovingly tease me about what they call my “manic”
mode. Randomly, I will go on a cleaning spree. It often comes out of nowhere. Suddenly, I
have the desire to clean out the fridge, organize something or speed clean the house. Whenever
it strikes, the roommates quietly gather their belongings and proceed to hide in their rooms,
feigning fear that I might organize their personal affects. While I think the word “manic” is
funny, the term “motivated” might be slightly more applicable. Motivation is defined as “the
general desire of someone to do something.”1 My cleaning sprees come at random times because
I desire to clean. However, when that desire goes away, my house can become dirty.
1 Oxford English Dictionary Online, "Motivation,” accessed November 04, 2021,
http://www.oed.com/viewdictionaryentry/Entry/11125.
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The same thing can be said for my spiritual life. When I am motivated by a rousing
sermon or I have just listened to an incredible worship song, I find that I have the desire to spend
time in prayer, reading my Bible, and abiding with God. When the feeling goes away, my time
with God starts to falter.
Teaching Point:
Speaking of his spiritual life, Paul says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do
not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after
preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (I Cor 9:25-27). Discipline is defined as “the
controlled behavior resulting from training, teaching, instruction, and direction.”2
Paul is speaking of consistent spiritual behaviors as opposed to fleeting spiritual feelings.
He compares his spiritual life to that of a prized athlete. A runner must exercise self-control in
what she eats, how she trains, when she sleeps, and how steady she runs. Paul does not let his
feelings control his spiritual development. He practices his growth through training. The same
is true of us; we discipline ourselves for the sake of being more like Jesus.3 We do this through
spiritual disciplines.
Spiritual Disciplines are habits we practice so we can grow in being like Jesus and being
with Jesus. They include things like praying, bible study, memorizing scripture, fasting,
worshiping, and more! They are defined by the Bible and used for the purpose of holiness. They
are habits we develop through training. You see there is a difference between discipline and
2 Oxford English Dictionary Online, "Discipline," accessed November 4, 2021,
http://www.oed.com/viewdictionaryentry/Entry/11125.
3 Philip Nation, Habits for our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together,
and Send Us Out (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016), 57.
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motivation. While motivation prompts productivity by feeling, discipline prompts productivity
by behavior. Motivation hinges on attitude. Discipline hinges on practice. Motivation may (or
may not) get us started. Discipline will help us get to the finish line…being more like Jesus and
being with Jesus.
Application:
Listen to the song “More Like Jesus” by Passion. Then ask God to help you answer the
following questions:
•
Do your spiritual habits operate more out of motivation or discipline?
•
Do you identify with the motivation/lack of motivation of reading the Bible, praying, and
spending time with Jesus?
•
What is your next step in being with Jesus and being more like Jesus?
Response Song: “More Like Jesus”
You came to the world You created
Trading Your crown for a cross
You willingly died
Your innocent life paid the cost
Counting Your stature as nothing
The King of all kings came to serve
Washing my feet
Covering me with Your love
If more of You means less of me
Take everything
Yes, all of You is all I need
Take everything
You are my life and my treasure
The One that I can’t live without
Here at Your feet My desires and dreams I lay down
Here at Your feet My desires and dreams I lay down
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Oh Lord, change me like only You can
Here with my heart in Your hands
Father I pray make me more like Jesus
This world is dying to know who You are
You’ve shown us the way to Your heart
So Father I pray make me more like Jesus4
4 Kristian Stanfill & Passion, “More Like Jesus,” recorded 2018, track 6 on Whole Heart Live, Digital and
Compact Disc.
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Bibliography
Nation, Philip. Habits for our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us
Together, and Send Us Out. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016.
Stanfill, Kristian & Passion. “More Like Jesus,” track 6 on Whole Heart Live. 2018, Digital and
Compact Disc.
