I have produced a short, four-part introductory study on spiritual disciplines for the Christian life. The first part of the study deals strictly with the need for spiritual discipline in the life of a Christian, while the remaining guides tackle three of the most neglected (yet beneficial) spiritual disciplines, particularly in Reformed churches.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive study on the disciplines, nor does it offer an enormous amount of detailed, practical advice for participating in them. Instead, I have sought to provide a basic argument for practicing spiritual disciplines (or, as I have called it, “Training for Godliness”) and offer a big-picture look at their purpose and benefits in the life of a Christian. I believe that the disciplined life should be a natural outworking of the gospel, but it does take some hard work and intentionality of living. My goal is to stir up interest in the spiritual disciplines in the hope that believers will seek the counsel of more exhaustive resources, and, out of a genuine desire for godliness, pursue the preparation and training leading to promise for the present life, and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8 ESV).

Here are links to the four parts of the study, in order:

Training for Godliness

• Part 1 – An Introduction to Spiritual Discipline
  
• Part 2 – The Discipline of Prayer
  
• Part 3 – The Discipline of Meditation
  
• Part 4 – The Discipline of Fasting
  

The study is somewhat geared toward groups, with ideas for reflection and discussion at the end of each part; if you find the study useful, I encourage you to use and modify the material to fit your group’s particular needs. Editable Microsoft Word (.doc) format copies are available upon request. For further questions, e-mail ryan.benhase@gmail.com.

The word “evangelism” may stir up all kinds of images for us. One person might think of overseas missions. Another might picture handing out tracts explaining the gospel. Still others may think of long, awkward conversations over coffee, or perhaps going through the Scriptures with an unbelieving friend. Surely, we all come from different places and, from our various experiences, have a wide range of ideas regarding evangelism. Yet if there is one thing we all have in common, it is the understanding that evangelism is about saving the lost.

Certainly, this concern for the lost is immensely important and commanded by Scripture. However, our church has lately been reading a book called Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis (IVP) which has been very provocative and beneficial. While reading the chapter about discipleship, I came across the following comment:

“We continue to ‘evangelize’ one another as Christians because it continues to be the gospel message with which we exhort and encourage one another. The good news that gives life is the good news that transforms, while the community that incarnates gospel truth for the sinner is the community that incarnates gospel truth for the saint” (110).

In other words, we, as Christians, should evangelize ourselves. The Greek root for “evangelize” is ευαγγελιζομαι, which literally means “I preach the gospel.” Therefore, it is not only something done toward nonbelievers, but toward Christians as well. As believers, we should be preaching the gospel to one another. This is the means by which we edify, admonish, and exhort one another to live a cross-centered life, stirring each other to good works. The moment we lose our focus on the gospel in favor of something we deem more “spiritual,” (whether it be a ministry program, social justice, an obsession with spiritual warfare or spiritual gifts, etc.) we have abandoned the faith. The Gospel is as spiritual as it gets; it is not entry-level Christianity, but the very fabric by which the Christian life exists.

By preaching the gospel to one another, we will prompt each other to change and grow; the gospel begins to shape each and every aspect of our everyday lives. The gospel comes to influence where we work, what we spend our time on, and how we handle our money; this happens gradually, nurtured within the context of a gospel-centered community as we evangelize one another. In this, we are sanctified through the gospel, by the work of the Holy Spirit. And even more, evangelizing ourselves leads us to evangelize others; by preaching the gospel to one another, we are driven to preach the gospel to those who have not received it. It is our own experience with grace which motivates us to share that grace with others. Therefore, to truly be effective in evangelizing the lost, we must also be effective in evangelizing each other.

But what does this mean?

It means talking less about theology from a philosophical standpoint and more about theology from a practical standpoint. How is the gospel being reflected (or not reflected) in our lives? If we believe what we say we believe, our lives should be marked by it. So, we must hold one another accountable, admonishing and encouraging one another with the gospel, and preaching it to one another, that we might share in the earth-shattering grace of God.