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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Drawn from a rich heritage,Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will guide you through a carefully selected array of disciplines including:• Scripture reading• prayer• worship• Scripture meditation• evangelism• serving• stewardship of time and money• Scripture application• fasting• silence and solitude• journaling• learning By illustrating why the disciplines are i...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
June 1st 1997
by NavPress
(first published 1991)
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Stacia
rated it
Recommends it for:
Christians who want to grow more in their spiritual life
Recommended to Stacia by:
my church and husband
Shelves:
biblical-study
5/08 This is a very good book. Donald Whitney is a good writer and really help brings to mind spiritual disciplines that one might not have thought of as is. However, I do think that this is a book that is better as a reference than a sit down and read it all. I think the best way to approach the book is read about a discipline and really put it into practice and make it a habit, and then read/learn about another discipline. If you try to do it all at once its overwhelming and not helpful.
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I listened to this book, getting a free download from www.christianaudio.com
Very much in line with Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, it is a review of individual piety in Bible reading, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. Whitney is careful to avoid obvious legalistic pitfalls, and gives good practical advice on each subject. But I found some of his subjects a stretch, especially getting Biblical suppor...more
Very much in line with Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, it is a review of individual piety in Bible reading, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. Whitney is careful to avoid obvious legalistic pitfalls, and gives good practical advice on each subject. But I found some of his subjects a stretch, especially getting Biblical suppor...more
This is one of those rare school-assigned readings that turned out to be quite good, and yet one I would almost never picked up on my own. Honestly, I've heard more than my fair share of teaching and preaching on Bible study, prayer, meditation, Scripture memory, and the like. I would say, heartily, "Ok, I get it."
Of course, I don't, and nobody else does either. But Whitney is a good author who allows Scripture to speak as much if not more than he does.
And the s...more
Of course, I don't, and nobody else does either. But Whitney is a good author who allows Scripture to speak as much if not more than he does.
And the s...more
One of the most worn books in my library is "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life." It serves as a starting point and a returning point whenever I am evaluating my own pursuit of Christ. Its back cover says this:
It’s not uncommon for for an accomplished musician to be able to sit down in front of a new piece of music and play it through without a hitch. To make it seem easy, as if it required no effort. Yet, the “freedom” to play with such skill comes only after...more
It’s not uncommon for for an accomplished musician to be able to sit down in front of a new piece of music and play it through without a hitch. To make it seem easy, as if it required no effort. Yet, the “freedom” to play with such skill comes only after...more
Many people, especially with a reformed bent think this is the best book on spiritual disciplines. Disagree. I also heard claims that it is the most gospel centered. Disagree. Just because it mentions jesus doesn't mean functionally it is gospel centered. Sometimes this book leans on basic fideism on obedience to "law" as a means of obtaining maturity. Though Foster might not mention the gospel in some reformed formula, functionally it is more gospel centered because of the clear admon...more
Donald Whitney does a great job of tackling a difficult subject with biblical truth and practical insight in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. The topic of spiritual disciplines is not a popular one in most church circles today, and that is precisely why these churches are not impacting the world with the power of Christ. Spiritual disciplines are the God-ordained means of becoming more Christ-like. Whether it’s bible reading, prayer, journaling, or fasting, Godly people hav...more
BT Robinson
added it
Fundamentalist writing at its "best." Follow this list, and you too can find God. Because God wants to build up a huge list of tasks for your life so that you have no time to actually interact with the world. And we should be separate from it anyways, since this is all just temporary and nothing else matters but isolated time with our "personal savior." Sarcasm, people. Even the author isn't sure why you should do these things other than desperately trying to prove your worth...more
Read for my Discipleship class this semester. Excellent read for any Christian. Everything in Whitney's book centers around 1 Timothy 4:7, which says to, "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." He states that the purpose for the disciplines is to grow more in Christ-likeness, rather than accomplishing tasks or feeling good about oneself. He defines the disciplines and lists each one's benefits. He also makes helpful suggestions for practicing the disciplines. For exam...more
This book was recommended by a pastor at my church when the small group I attend wanted to learn more about spiritual disciplines. Whitney covers twelve of them in this book: Scripture Readings, Prayer, Worship, Scripture Meditation, Evangelism, Serving, Stewardship, Scripture Application, Fasting, Silence & Solitude, Journaling, and Learning. Practicing these, says Whitney, will help a person grow in godliness.
I learned a lot from studying this book. It is especially good for a grou...more
I learned a lot from studying this book. It is especially good for a grou...more
This book was challenging to get through because it required tremendous, sometimes uncomfortable, thought. However, I firmly believe in a disciplined life, and thus enjoyed reading about some of the Christian principles to guide it. I plan on going back through certain aspects of the book this summer as I begin to put some of the disciplines into practice. I plan on working on fasting (ugh), journaling, and solitude. The last two shouldn't be a problem, but I know fasting will be difficult f...more
I will write up a full review later. But this is one of the most useful, practical books on spiritual growth I have ever read. It is somewhat similar to Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, but I think a little more accessible and less intimidating. I am going to schedule some time to re-read it again in about six months. I will try to put into practice what I can now and plan on adding more later.
I have been reading through the "Ancient Practice Series" as well....more
I have been reading through the "Ancient Practice Series" as well....more
This book did wonders to realign my thinking regarding the spiritual disciplines. Prior to reading this there were parts of the disciplines that felt like a task I had to do to know God despite teachings that only grace saves. After reading this I was able to rest in the fact that only grace saves but God uses the disciplines to allow us insight into who He is. They are the privileges of knowing Him and allowing me to draw near.
This book offers a great overview of the various disciplines of the Christian life. They are:
- Bible intake
- Prayer
- Worship
- Evangelism
- Serving
- Stewardship
- Fasting
- Silence and Solitude
- Journaling
- Learning
After reading this book, I now realize just how many disciplines there are in the faith and that I should be practicing all of them at the same time! Of course, an emphasis on some of them is more appropriate at...more
- Bible intake
- Prayer
- Worship
- Evangelism
- Serving
- Stewardship
- Fasting
- Silence and Solitude
- Journaling
- Learning
After reading this book, I now realize just how many disciplines there are in the faith and that I should be practicing all of them at the same time! Of course, an emphasis on some of them is more appropriate at...more
Though I think I'm saying this on all my books now, this is a must read for all Christians. It is a great look at the spiritual disciplines taught to us in the Bible and gives practical ways of doing the disciplines to help you as you grow in your relationships with Christ. It has definitely convicted me and motivated me into strengthening my disciplines and adding ones that I was lacking in. Great God inspired book.
I really like Whitney's approach to spiritual disciplines. He points out that God's Word leads us to a disciplined life -- methodical, reasonably goal-oriented -- but that discipline alone will not make us godly. It's easy for me to check all the boxes, to get everything done and say I've had a good week. But to actually use each activity to point my mind and heart God-ward is different. Lifeless method is no better than methodless spontaneity. Neither one is the best path to godliness. It...more
Excellent Book on the exploration and growth of the spritual walk. The book walks through the Spiritual Disciplines and gives explanations and appplications for them in a Christian's life. Will strengthen your walk with the Lord if you are dedicated to doing the disciplines
Wonderful book on breaking down into concrete fields, what areas are important for a Christian to develop. Backed and supported with scripture and expounding the concepts and godly principles behind why each is important. Encouraging and supportive. A+
Way too baptistic. Not enough on the right use of the sacraments, weekly sabbath observance, church discipline, or liturgical discipline. Pretty heavy on individual self-discipline though. To that extent, it is helpful.
This book is a reminder that Christian maturity takes a purpose driven life. I have done almost everyone of the disciplines except journaling. I know this is important but I never did it and still do not journal.
I required this book for a counseling class that had a section on the spiritual disciplines. It was well received by the students who each thought it was useful to their understanding of the disciplines.
If you are looking for a book that will give you good (read "non-legalistic") motivation for pursuing the Spiritual Disciplines along with practical help look no further. This is your book.
An excellent book on the Christian disciplines. About 20 years I read Richard Foster's book. This book by Don Whitney is in my opinion streaks better, and includes less mysticism and more Bible.
Tough to get through sometimes, but amazing thoughts, well worded, does a good job of convicting. Also good ideas to get you going in the Spiritual Disciplines.
Excellent book. I have read it a few times and always benefit from it. As the name suggests, it is very practical and accessible. I recommend it.
I started this book a couple of years ago and got sidetracked halfway through. When I picked it back up a few weeks ago, I wondered why it took me so long. This is a great little book to introduce a much overlooked topic in today's church culture. Whitney offers practical advice on how to get started.
If you can only read one book on spiritual disciplines, I would recommend Whitney over Foster and Willard for biblical accuracy.
Insightful and informative. For a Christian, these 11 principles (Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling and learning) are absolutely priceless and will do much in helping to establish positive spiritual growth and an enlightening walk. This is a must read.
This is a pretty good book, lot of practicality to it. I think I like Foster's book better, though.
This book helps you to grow in godliness and expresses christ's character through your own personality.
Becky
added it
Hard book to read. Took me a while. I learned alot from this book. I highly recommend it!
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FROM WEB PAGE:
Since 2005, Don Whitney has been Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also serves as Senior Associate Dean. Before that, he held a similar position (the first such position in the six Southern Baptist seminaries) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, for ten yea...more
More about Donald S. Whitney...
Since 2005, Don Whitney has been Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also serves as Senior Associate Dean. Before that, he held a similar position (the first such position in the six Southern Baptist seminaries) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, for ten yea...more
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