Does the term “spiritual disciplines” sound like some sort of Christian code word to you? If so, don’t worry. It’s actually quite simple. In this post, you’ll learn what spiritual disciplines are, why they matter, and why they’re essential for women. Then stick around to the end because I have a tool to help you refine your spiritual habits!
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What Are Spiritual Disciplines?
Imagine your Christian life is like a tree. In order to produce fruit, we need roots. Spiritual disciplines are those roots—habits that faithful Christians are grounded in. When we consistently practice these habits, they lead to sturdy spiritual growth.
The Core Spiritual Disciplines
There are many spiritual disciplines, or habits, to consider. I’ve compiled a list of several habits to consider, along with Scripture references for support:
- Bible Reading, Studying, and Memorization (Psalm 119:11)
- Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
- Meditation (Joshua 1:8)
- Worship (Hebrews 13:15)
- Fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Service and Encouraging Others (Galatians 5:13)
For a more in-depth resource, consider Donald Whitney’s book on spiritual disciplines, which you can find by clicking right here. While I don’t agree with every perspective Whitney presents, it’s a well-rounded presentation for anyone wanting to delve deeper into these habits.
Why Do Spiritual Disciplines Matter?
Whitney defines spiritual disciplines as “the God-given means by which we, as believers, pursue godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)
Let’s take a closer look at that sentence. God-given —found in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16)—means—or ways—that help us pursue godliness—moving closer to God; being more like Him.
Perhaps that sounds overwhelming. How can we, as imperfect humans, be like God? The secret is to look for a model. Has anyone demonstrated that we can grow closer to God by practicing certain habits?
Jesus, Our Perfect Example
The Apostle Paul encouraged believers, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV). Just like we follow recipes or find hair tutorials, it’s only natural to have a model for our spiritual lives too. Paul points us directly to Jesus as our model.
Jesus’ earthly life shows us the value of spiritual habits like prayer, fellowship, and meditation on Scripture. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus:
- Teaching in the temple
- Praying and meditating in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Quoting Scripture to withstand temptation
His life is the perfect example of practicing spiritual disciplines in everyday life.
Our goal is to be as much like Christ as we can.
The difference is, of course, that Jesus is both God and man. While we can imitate Him, we can’t fully replicate His perfection.
It reminds me of my mother’s roast. She makes an incredible roast—truly the best I’ve ever had. And even though she’s shown me exactly how she prepares it, I can never seem to replicate it perfectly. No matter how hard I try, my roast just doesn’t taste quite as wonderful as my mother’s.
That’s how it is with our Christian lives too. Jesus is the perfect example, but because He is divine and we are not, our attempts to be like Him will not be perfect.
That’s why we cannot forget this ultimate truth: we cannot stand on our own apart from Christ. But by practicing the same habits He did, we can access the same strength from the Father that sustained our Savior through his darkest days.
What If Spiritual Disciplines Start to Feel Like a Meaningless Checklist?
It happens to the best of us. Sometimes, we lose sight of the significance of being imitators of Christ. When we forget that the purpose of spiritual disciplines is to be more like Him, they start to feel mundane.
The word “discipline” itself suggests pushing through the mud sometimes. That’s how we plant our roots deeply in Christ.
When our spiritual disciplines start to feel empty or meaningless, we need to remind ourselves that the actions we take (or don’t take) will either draw us closer to Christ or propel us away.
If we ignore our habits and push them aside, we’re really pushing away our Savior.
Why Do Spiritual Disciplines Matter for Women?
Of course, spiritual disciplines matter for all Christians. But as women, we should consider spiritual disciplines while fulfilling our divinely designed roles.
We nurture, encourage, and support those around us. We pour into others—our husbands, our children, and our local church congregations.
Spiritual Disciplines Give Us the Energy We Need to Pour Into Others
Let’s not forget that we cannot water our gardens from an empty well. In order to be equipped for pouring into others, we must first be filled with the Lord. We need a solid foundation of biblical knowledge and a dependency on the Savior to completely embrace the roles God has designed for us.
This is a big part of why I started Gather in the Garden—a magazine to help women like you take root in Christ so you can experience personal fulfillment and pour into others.
If you’re curious to know more about Gather in the Garden, read this post. If you want to purchase the latest issue or join the waitlist for the next one, click right here.
A Final Encouragement
Remember, the sweetest-smelling blooms are cut after prepping and plowing the ground. Spiritual growth will come with steady labor. As long as we keep the purpose in mind and consistently pursue spiritual disciplines, we will reap a close relationship with the Lord and a joy-filled Christian life.
I love this! Thank you so much for sharing God’s word.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing that encouragement with me!