Don Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
After reading Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, what do you
understand his main argument to be? Do you agree with him or disagree? Why or
why not? What are three spiritual disciplines you need to strengthen and how do
you plan to implement them?
Don Whitney has provided a remarkable book to help Christians grow in virtually
every area of their Christian life. His focus on spiritual disciplines is an
application of 1 Timothy 4:7—“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness”
(14). From this verse, Whitney deduces, “The Spiritual Disciplines are the God-
given means we are to use in the Spirit-filled pursuit of Godliness” (15). He wisely
adds, “Holiness is not an option for those who claim to be children of the Holy
One (1 Peter 1:15-15), so neither are the means of holiness, that is, the Spiritual
Disciplines, an option” (18). Whitney is correct!
I believe Whitney’s book is so valuable I use it first when mentoring others and
train others to use it when they mentor others. As a result of this practice, I’ve
gone through the book several times and I’m continually grateful for his work on
this subject.
As far as spiritual disciplines I need to develop better, I would begin with fasting.
Having been raised in a Southern Baptist church known more for our ecclesiology
and potlucks, I don’t ever remember hearing a sermon or lesson on fasting. Now
to be sure, I have preached on fasting a couple of different times in my ministry,
but I don’t practice it enough.
Also, I would like to incorporate journaling again. It doesn’t have the same biblical
foundation as the other disciplines, but it has proven valuable in my spiritual
growth in the past. I was required to do it for a college class and it benefitted me
greatly. I have journaled sporadically since then but I need to get back in the habit.
Finally, I always need to grow in my prayer life. I often find myself going through
seasons of focused prayer followed by times in the desert when I don’t know
what to pray. My best efforts at prayer include the ACTS model of Adoration of
God, Confession of sins, Thanksgiving based on the truth of God’s Word, and
Supplication for myself and others. Furthermore, my prayers are most focused
when I spend a different day of the week praying for different requests (Sunday—
my ministry and my church; Monday—missionaries; Tuesday—teachers/mentors;
Wednesday—witnessing opportunities; Thursday—people I’m training; Friday—
family/friends; Saturday—fellow pastors).
May the Lord grant me grace to implement these areas as I seek to grow in
holiness.
