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Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
Service........................................................................................................................................... 1
Stewardship..................................................................................................................................1
Fasting........................................................................................................................................... 2
Silence............................................................................................................................................2
Bibliography................................................................................................................................. 4
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Introduction
Spiritual disciplines are intentional practices that foster spiritual growth and deeper
communion with God. Service, stewardship, fasting, and silence are key disciplines that shape
me into Christlike maturity.1 Together, these disciplines shape me into a faithful disciple,
strengthening my relationship with God and my witness to the world. If I had to evaluate myself
on the application of these, I would say I am about 50/50 between service and stewardship and
fasting and silence; with fasting and silence being areas I need to develop and be more
consistent.
Service
In Mark 10:45 Jesus says that He did not come to be served but to serve and to give
Himself a ransom for many. With this example, I know that my service involves selflessly
meeting the needs of others. This discipline cultivates humility, love, and a servant’s heart,2
reinforcing my role in the body of Christ (Gal. 5:13). When I am engaged in service in the
church and to those around me, I know that God is developing my character and is using me to
strengthen the church community. Therefore, it is important for me to stay engaged and continue
to find where God wants me to serve, doing my best to understand the will of God for me in
every situation.
Stewardship
1 Corinthians 4:2 teaches that stewards are to be faithful in their stewardship. This
discipline acknowledges God’s ownership over all things (Ps. 24:1). Stewardship encompasses a
great deal; it is not just isolated to money or possessions. My time and talents are also a part of
1 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. (NavPress Tyndale House Publishers:
Colorado Springs, CO, 2014).
2 Ibid, 149-150.
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managing the things that God has entrusted to me. As a believer, I am to be wise with how I use
the talents God has gifted me (Matt. 25:14-30). It is my responsibility to use every gift and talent
that God has entrusted to me for the purpose of edifying the church,3 as Paul teaches in 1
Corinthians 12, God has tempered me into the body for the purpose of supporting the body as a
whole so that it may bring glory and honor to Him.
Fasting
A practice of self-denial, fasting redirects focus from physical needs to spiritual
nourishment.4 In Matthew 6:16, Jesus provides guidance for how this discipline ought to be
practiced. Explaining that it is not for the recognition or praise of others, but for the purpose of
drawing closer to God. It deepens the dependence on God, enhances prayer life, and fosters
spiritual renewal. Jesus Himself set the example of this discipline by fasting for 40 days and
nights in preparation for temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). Through fasting, I am able to cultivate
discipline and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. This is a discipline I know I need to develop a bit
more, I have fasted at times, but it has primarily been for physical development rather than
spiritual development. However, I know that there is a time coming that I know I will be called
into a time of fasting for me to understand clearly God’s will.
Silence
In a noisy world, silence creates a space to hear God’s voice clearly (Ps. 46:10). Often
coupled with fasting, this discipline fosters contemplation, self-examination, and deeper intimacy
with God.5 It teaches patience and reliance on the Holy Spirit, refining my ability to discern
3 Kenneth Boa, Conformed to His Image: Biblical, Practical, Approaches to Spiritual Formation. Revised
Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 326-327.
4 Whitney, Spiritual, 2014, 192.
5 Whitney, Spiritual, 2014, 224.
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God’s will. I recently put this particular discipline into action, taking a day to observe complete
silence. I had realized that I talk a lot throughout the day and sometimes unnecessarily so, so I
made the decision that I would not speak so much as a whisper, concentrating my thoughts on
God and listening for His voice in every moment. This was a difficult task because I had to work,
but I managed to keep my silence for quite some time for that day. The silence was eventually
broken out of necessity, however, even in that moment, I directed my thoughts toward God and
asked for His permission to speak. It was a sensation unlike any other as I broke the silence and
responded to the person before me. Since then, I have been looking for and taking advantage of
little moments of silence and only speaking when it is absolutely necessary. I have found that,
through this practice, my thoughts are more focused on God during the times of silence.
4
Bibliography
Boa, Kenneth, Conformed to His Image: Biblical, Practical, Approaches to Spiritual Formation.
Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Whitney, Donald S., Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. NavPress Tyndale House
Publishers: Colorado Springs, CO, 2014.
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