What is a Spiritual Discipline?

Spiritual Disciplines are not the desired end-product of spiritual life – but rather they are a means to an end. They are… the intentional development of authentic spiritual life and intimacy with God.

“God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving His grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us. … They are God’s means of grace.”

Richard Foster, Celebration of Disciplines

A means to create space to meet with God that you otherwise had not planned on.”

Henri Nouwen

BASIC DEFINITION OF A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE:  Deliberately self-imposed habit that nurtures spiritual health and fosters spiritual growth leading to maturity.

BASIC CONCEPTS BEHIND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES:  These are called disciplines because they are not the natural intuitive thing to do. Physical disciplines include developmental exercises within the natural order of the physical body or mental aptitudes. Spiritual disciplines are developmental exercises that open us into the spiritual realm of existence.

IDENTIFYING THE DISCIPLINES:  Different Christian disciples, mystics, and discipline practitioners through the ages have identified different orders and descriptions of the spiritual disciplines. Below are a sampling of the most typical disciplines by Dallas Willard, an American philosopher and major contributor to writings on Christian spiritual formation.

Disciplines of Abstinence:

Solitude

Silence

Fasting

Frugality

Chastity

Secrecy

Sacrifice

Disciplines of Engagement:

Study

Worship

Celebration

Service

Prayer

Fellowship

Confession

 

Information provided by authenticdiscipleship.org/

Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines”