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Disciplines of a Godly Young Man
An adaptation of the classic book Disciplines of a Godly Man, this new book provides a biblical framework for living a radical life as a young disciple of Jesus. Point blank, this is a punchy, no-holds-barred book for young men that lays out the call and command to be disciplined, godly, and sold-out for Jesus. Addressing topics such as purity in one's thought-life, peer pressure, and perseverance as a Christian, this specially adapted work stands to influence a struggling generation. Using the same no-nonsense approach that made R. Kent Hughes' Disciplines of a Godly Man a positive influence on thousands of adults, this adaptation by Kent, his son Carey, and veteran youth leader Jonathan Carswell outlines the disciplines necessary to help a young man align every facet of his life with the fundamental truths of the Bible. It not only teaches how to live a life of Christian discipline, but also instills the desire to do so into a young heart longing to live a life of integrity, meaning, and fulfillment. This book brings the authority of a trusted name with a new flavor that will engage a younger audience.
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First published January 1, 2012
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About the author
R. Kent Hughes
111 books87 followersR. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and a visiting professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide. He and his wife, Barbara, have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.
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October 2, 2025
While I’m certainly no longer a “young man,” I’m coaching a basketball team full of them and am using this book for our weekly devotions. Perfect book as Hughes regularly uses sports analogies throughout.
All I can say is “Excellent” read!!
I don’t understand the negative reviews that insinuate the author’s bent toward legalism … Hughes emphases all throughout and even devotes his entire closing chapter with the truth that “Salvation is by grace alone, and living the Christian life is also by grace alone … as we tackle the disciplines of a godly young man, we must remember it is a matter of grace from beginning to end.”
Some of my favorite quotes from each chapter:
Chapter 1: “Discipline is Everything”
- “In other areas we may be able to claim some natural advantage. An athlete may be born with a strong body, a musician with perfect pitch, or an artist with an eye for perspective. But none of us can claim a natural spiritual advantage. In reality, we are all equally disadvantaged. None of us naturally seeks after God … therefore, as children of grace … discipline is everything in the Christian life.”
Chapter 2: “Discipline for Godliness”
- Manliness: “a life disciplined for godliness - a life overseen, instructed, and energized by the Man of all men - the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Chapter 3: “Discipline of Purity”
- “The moment lust takes control, God loses reality”
Chapter 4: “Discipline of Friendship”
- “The deepest of friendships have in common this desire to make the other person royalty”
Chapter 5: “Discipline of Mind, Refusal”
- “A Christian mind demands conscious refusal”
Chapter 6: “Discipline of Mind, Filling”
- “Bible’s most repeated call in both the Old and New Testament is to ‘hear the Word…’”
Chapter 7: “Discipline of Devotion”
- “The reason that many young men never have an effective devotional life is that they never plan for it.”
Chapter 8: “Discipline of Prayer”
- “We must never wait until we feel like praying.”
Chapter 9: “Discipline of Tongue”
- The tongue “can commit spiritual arson … can affect the whole course of your existence…”
Chapter 10: “Discipline of Work”
- “All work is sacred if it is done for God”
Chapter 11: “Discipline of Perseverance”
- “All of us can finish well if we choose to rely on him who is our strength and our guide.”
Chapter 12: “Discipline of Church”
- “Churchless Christian … should be as odd as a car without wheels or a pianist without a piano.”
Chapter 13: “Discipline of Giving”
- “It’s easy to surrender part when we have already given the whole.”
Chapter 14: “Discipline of Witness”
- “We should be evangelistically intentional about the social and relational circles we run in.”
Chapter 15: “Discipline of Ministry”
- “See your life, as you pass from person to person, as a series of God-arranged appointments … there are no relational accidents.”
Chapter 16: “Grace of Discipline”
- 2x dangerous responses: 1. Paralysis of analysis or 2. Self-sufficient Legalism … 1x correct response: “The young man who wisely disciplines himself for godliness understands the necessity of prioritizing and realism and prayer and accountability and that failure is part of success, but his GREATEST wisdom and impetus come from his understanding of grace. Everything in his life comes from God’s grace - grace alone!”
All I can say is “Excellent” read!!
I don’t understand the negative reviews that insinuate the author’s bent toward legalism … Hughes emphases all throughout and even devotes his entire closing chapter with the truth that “Salvation is by grace alone, and living the Christian life is also by grace alone … as we tackle the disciplines of a godly young man, we must remember it is a matter of grace from beginning to end.”
Some of my favorite quotes from each chapter:
Chapter 1: “Discipline is Everything”
- “In other areas we may be able to claim some natural advantage. An athlete may be born with a strong body, a musician with perfect pitch, or an artist with an eye for perspective. But none of us can claim a natural spiritual advantage. In reality, we are all equally disadvantaged. None of us naturally seeks after God … therefore, as children of grace … discipline is everything in the Christian life.”
Chapter 2: “Discipline for Godliness”
- Manliness: “a life disciplined for godliness - a life overseen, instructed, and energized by the Man of all men - the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Chapter 3: “Discipline of Purity”
- “The moment lust takes control, God loses reality”
Chapter 4: “Discipline of Friendship”
- “The deepest of friendships have in common this desire to make the other person royalty”
Chapter 5: “Discipline of Mind, Refusal”
- “A Christian mind demands conscious refusal”
Chapter 6: “Discipline of Mind, Filling”
- “Bible’s most repeated call in both the Old and New Testament is to ‘hear the Word…’”
Chapter 7: “Discipline of Devotion”
- “The reason that many young men never have an effective devotional life is that they never plan for it.”
Chapter 8: “Discipline of Prayer”
- “We must never wait until we feel like praying.”
Chapter 9: “Discipline of Tongue”
- The tongue “can commit spiritual arson … can affect the whole course of your existence…”
Chapter 10: “Discipline of Work”
- “All work is sacred if it is done for God”
Chapter 11: “Discipline of Perseverance”
- “All of us can finish well if we choose to rely on him who is our strength and our guide.”
Chapter 12: “Discipline of Church”
- “Churchless Christian … should be as odd as a car without wheels or a pianist without a piano.”
Chapter 13: “Discipline of Giving”
- “It’s easy to surrender part when we have already given the whole.”
Chapter 14: “Discipline of Witness”
- “We should be evangelistically intentional about the social and relational circles we run in.”
Chapter 15: “Discipline of Ministry”
- “See your life, as you pass from person to person, as a series of God-arranged appointments … there are no relational accidents.”
Chapter 16: “Grace of Discipline”
- 2x dangerous responses: 1. Paralysis of analysis or 2. Self-sufficient Legalism … 1x correct response: “The young man who wisely disciplines himself for godliness understands the necessity of prioritizing and realism and prayer and accountability and that failure is part of success, but his GREATEST wisdom and impetus come from his understanding of grace. Everything in his life comes from God’s grace - grace alone!”
February 16, 2023
I appreciate the authors’ instructive delivery of twelve disciplines (purity, refusal, prayer, work, ministry and others) in this short book. They seem careful to not embark on any (big) exegetical exercise but consistently prefer to advise incisively on actions after incisively setting out the biblical premise. There are the occasional helpfully sobering rebukes, such as us downplaying dangers, justifying our choices and being slow or wilfully blind to recognise how our environment and consumption work against godly discipline.
I appreciate more that before and after canvassing on the twelve disciplines, they explain what discipline is biblically, and that grace and hard work come together (1 Cor 15:10). Interestingly I don’t think the word “self-control” was mentioned once in this book, although I think the authors imply that self-control if practiced, should appear across most aspects of our lives.
And my favourite nugget from this book is this:
“[L]egalism is self-centered; discipline is God centered. The legalistic heart says, "I will do this thing to gain points with God." The disciplined heart says, "I will do this thing because I love God and want to please him."
I appreciate more that before and after canvassing on the twelve disciplines, they explain what discipline is biblically, and that grace and hard work come together (1 Cor 15:10). Interestingly I don’t think the word “self-control” was mentioned once in this book, although I think the authors imply that self-control if practiced, should appear across most aspects of our lives.
And my favourite nugget from this book is this:
“[L]egalism is self-centered; discipline is God centered. The legalistic heart says, "I will do this thing to gain points with God." The disciplined heart says, "I will do this thing because I love God and want to please him."
December 3, 2019
It’s a trap! That’s how I would describe this book, a trap! I had already noticed many direct remarks that needed endnotes and didn’t have any. “This is how it is, don’t dare to doubt me!” Then after 10 chapters of mostly accurate information, the writers go on to explain that church going is equivalent to being a Christian, and not going to a physical church building means you are not having communion with other Christians. Then the writers go on explaining the Old Testament tithing was actually giving 25% to God and they even illustrate the story of a Danish fellow who gave everything. These are very harmful doctrines, those who fall into this trap are prone to manipulation by Church “leaders”!
August 18, 2022
A book written for a younger male audience than the well-known work with a similar title by R. Kent Hughes.
This is a command heavy book, but one that finds its balance in the final chapter. Kent and Carey show that disciplines in the Christian life can not be cultivated apart from grace. They do well to show that there is no contradiction between grace and hard work and that the differences between legalism and discipline is the underlying motivations.
My one criticism of this work is that I wish the content of the final chapter on the grace of discipline would have been sprinkled throughout the work. This book read apart from the final chapter could potentially be spiritually hazardous.
This is a command heavy book, but one that finds its balance in the final chapter. Kent and Carey show that disciplines in the Christian life can not be cultivated apart from grace. They do well to show that there is no contradiction between grace and hard work and that the differences between legalism and discipline is the underlying motivations.
My one criticism of this work is that I wish the content of the final chapter on the grace of discipline would have been sprinkled throughout the work. This book read apart from the final chapter could potentially be spiritually hazardous.
June 14, 2025
Great book to analyze your spiritual life and disciplines as a young man. It’s also a great book to go through with a mentor as they can give a lot of insight as an older man that has gone through or still struggles with certain things.
March 12, 2021
I read this book with my 13-year-old son. We found it to be a mostly helpful introduction to various disciplines in the Christian life. It certainly raised some topics that he had never thought about before, and at times I found myself convicted to do better in my own life.
For a book with such emphasis on effort, I appreciated that the author framed the whole thing in terms of grace. Books on Christian disciplines can easily fall into the trappings of performance and legalism, but this book made clear that it is only by the grace of God that we can succeed in the Christian life.
The topics were well-organized into discrete disciplines, but one or two of them felt more like they could characterize all the others. For example, perseverance is a great quality, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a discipline all on its own. Also, some of the illustrations didn't hit home for my son, partly because of his age, and partly because he is an MK and is less connected to American culture.
Overall, this was a useful book and a good place to start in helping my son think more deeply about his faith and how to work it out in his own life.
For a book with such emphasis on effort, I appreciated that the author framed the whole thing in terms of grace. Books on Christian disciplines can easily fall into the trappings of performance and legalism, but this book made clear that it is only by the grace of God that we can succeed in the Christian life.
The topics were well-organized into discrete disciplines, but one or two of them felt more like they could characterize all the others. For example, perseverance is a great quality, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a discipline all on its own. Also, some of the illustrations didn't hit home for my son, partly because of his age, and partly because he is an MK and is less connected to American culture.
Overall, this was a useful book and a good place to start in helping my son think more deeply about his faith and how to work it out in his own life.
April 20, 2022
So, so good. Read it!
March 16, 2025
Dated now. Some helpful application but feels a bit like a constant barrage of 'you're not doing well at X', with every chapter full of truth, but perhaps lacking in grace.
Rarely christological in application, but very practical.
Rarely christological in application, but very practical.
May 28, 2012
If you have a son and you want to find that book that speaks to him without making him feel feminized or beating around the bush, then look no further than Disciplines of a Godly Young Man. The authors take the reader through what discipline is and why it’s needed for a godly life then into five areas covering relationships, soul, character, ministry, and discipline. You won’t find a pat on the back, easy answer, go ahead and do it your way as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else in this book – you’re going to have Biblical, godly answers to the hard questions in life.
I didn’t want to think that one day my little 5 year old boy is going to need this book – he is going to need answers to certain life questions – and I want them to be Biblical answers so when he enters that time in his life where he is noticing girls, I’ll hand him this book and tell him to spend the day reading! If you’re a Christian man who stands for Biblical Christianity in today’s world you’re often going to be mocked and shunned by the world – most men will decide to keep one foot in the world and cuss, watch T.V. non-stop while others will do the God honoring thing and refuse to back out on their convictions. In order to do this our boys are going to need to have certain disciplines such as purity, prayer, tongue, witness and much, much more.
I can’t say this is just for young men, I know adult men in today’s churches that could use the advise in this book. The authors advocate ridding yourself of the television if it’s making you sin or even tempting you to sin. As I said they aren’t going to beat around the bush or make you feel good about your sin – and if you haven’t well it’ll hopefully cement your convictions. It’s not every day you find authors who are willing to take a stand for Biblical manhood, because most will have scathing reviews written about them and their books, but these authors hit the nail on the head and I appreciate what some would consider ‘old fashioned’ manhood being written about un-apologetically.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for posting my own opinion, no other compensation was given.
I didn’t want to think that one day my little 5 year old boy is going to need this book – he is going to need answers to certain life questions – and I want them to be Biblical answers so when he enters that time in his life where he is noticing girls, I’ll hand him this book and tell him to spend the day reading! If you’re a Christian man who stands for Biblical Christianity in today’s world you’re often going to be mocked and shunned by the world – most men will decide to keep one foot in the world and cuss, watch T.V. non-stop while others will do the God honoring thing and refuse to back out on their convictions. In order to do this our boys are going to need to have certain disciplines such as purity, prayer, tongue, witness and much, much more.
I can’t say this is just for young men, I know adult men in today’s churches that could use the advise in this book. The authors advocate ridding yourself of the television if it’s making you sin or even tempting you to sin. As I said they aren’t going to beat around the bush or make you feel good about your sin – and if you haven’t well it’ll hopefully cement your convictions. It’s not every day you find authors who are willing to take a stand for Biblical manhood, because most will have scathing reviews written about them and their books, but these authors hit the nail on the head and I appreciate what some would consider ‘old fashioned’ manhood being written about un-apologetically.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for posting my own opinion, no other compensation was given.
December 14, 2025
Excellent reminder of the basics of personal holiness, especially for young men. I am looking forward to using this as a resource for discipleship in the future.
Disciplines of: Purity, Friendship, Mind (Refusal and Filling), Devotion, Prayer, Tongue, Work, Perseverance, Church, Giving, Witness, Ministry
Favorite Quotes:
"Giving in to sexual temptation is easily the biggest obstacle to godliness among men today, and it is wreaking havoc in the lives of many" (31)
"It is the 'legal' sensualities, the culturally acceptable indulgences, that will take you down (e.g. long hours of internet use, indiscriminate TV watching, double entendres, coarse humor, laughter at perverse things) (33).
"Satan does not fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God" -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (34)
Accountability needs four things: total trust, total honesty, total love, and a real consequence (38)
"Life is filled with small rejections--sarcastic smiles, innuendos, awkward silences, exclusive club atmospheres--so that many men go through their days with their guards up. If we discipline ourselves to be accepting, others will see it in our eyes and hear it in our voices, and they will sense that acceptance is there for them. An open, accepting soul is like a warm inviting home, a place where friendships grow in this dark and often-cold world" (49).
"One of the ways that we become softened morally is when we are induced to laugh at things that appall us" -Malcolm Muggeridge (60).
"Better your TV on the trash heap than your soul in the garbage" (64). Control the hours and the content.
"You can never have a Christian mind without reading and listening to the Scriptures regularly--because you cannot be profoundly influenced by that which you do not know (67).
[Regarding prayer] "C. S. Lewis said, 'We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be within us" (77).
"Seriousness and reverential respect must always characterize our approach to God" (78).
[Thomas a Kempis' Daily Prayer]: "As thou wilt, what thou wilt, when thou wilt" (79-80).
"Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God" (86).
"The true test of a young man's spirituality is not his ability to speak but rather his ability to control his tongue" (104).
"Do your work with enthusiasm" (113).
"The deserter of the Church cannot be in Christ, since he is not among Christ's members" - Augustine (130)
"Listening to a CD or podcast of the same sermon may be helpful, but it is not the same as listening with the body of Christ" (135-136).
Commit to your local church: attendance, membership, participation, giving, prayer (137-138).
"To be godly at its very core is to be a man who goes to the world (even at personal risk and sacrifice) proclaiming the gospel for the world's salvation" (152).
"It's our job to know and pursue non-Christians" (153-154).
"The Christian world is ministered to by tired people... as young men, you have to understand that you will never do great things for God without the willingness to extend yourselves for the sake of the gospel, even when bone tired" (164).
Disciplines of: Purity, Friendship, Mind (Refusal and Filling), Devotion, Prayer, Tongue, Work, Perseverance, Church, Giving, Witness, Ministry
Favorite Quotes:
"Giving in to sexual temptation is easily the biggest obstacle to godliness among men today, and it is wreaking havoc in the lives of many" (31)
"It is the 'legal' sensualities, the culturally acceptable indulgences, that will take you down (e.g. long hours of internet use, indiscriminate TV watching, double entendres, coarse humor, laughter at perverse things) (33).
"Satan does not fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God" -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (34)
Accountability needs four things: total trust, total honesty, total love, and a real consequence (38)
"Life is filled with small rejections--sarcastic smiles, innuendos, awkward silences, exclusive club atmospheres--so that many men go through their days with their guards up. If we discipline ourselves to be accepting, others will see it in our eyes and hear it in our voices, and they will sense that acceptance is there for them. An open, accepting soul is like a warm inviting home, a place where friendships grow in this dark and often-cold world" (49).
"One of the ways that we become softened morally is when we are induced to laugh at things that appall us" -Malcolm Muggeridge (60).
"Better your TV on the trash heap than your soul in the garbage" (64). Control the hours and the content.
"You can never have a Christian mind without reading and listening to the Scriptures regularly--because you cannot be profoundly influenced by that which you do not know (67).
[Regarding prayer] "C. S. Lewis said, 'We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be within us" (77).
"Seriousness and reverential respect must always characterize our approach to God" (78).
[Thomas a Kempis' Daily Prayer]: "As thou wilt, what thou wilt, when thou wilt" (79-80).
"Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God" (86).
"The true test of a young man's spirituality is not his ability to speak but rather his ability to control his tongue" (104).
"Do your work with enthusiasm" (113).
"The deserter of the Church cannot be in Christ, since he is not among Christ's members" - Augustine (130)
"Listening to a CD or podcast of the same sermon may be helpful, but it is not the same as listening with the body of Christ" (135-136).
Commit to your local church: attendance, membership, participation, giving, prayer (137-138).
"To be godly at its very core is to be a man who goes to the world (even at personal risk and sacrifice) proclaiming the gospel for the world's salvation" (152).
"It's our job to know and pursue non-Christians" (153-154).
"The Christian world is ministered to by tired people... as young men, you have to understand that you will never do great things for God without the willingness to extend yourselves for the sake of the gospel, even when bone tired" (164).
December 9, 2022
Very similar to his book Disciplines of a Godly Man, just a bit more geared towards young men. Excellent advice in the book. Here's some good info:
Golfer Jack Nicklaus said the more he practiced, the luckier he became. Wayne Gretzky and many of the best sports players accredit their success to their discipline of practice.
You will never get anywhere without inglorious discipline.
Discipline is everything for the Christian life.
The Discipline of Godliness
If you are to succeed, you need some spiritual sweat. Discipline your soul and body.
Addiction to entertainment will strangle your godliness.
Time to man up, put down the joystick, and get to work.
The Discipline of Purity
We live in a sex-crazed world.
The church today has become more like the Corinthian church.
Movies, games, and secret glances desensitize men from godliness.
David fell when things seemed to be going well. He was relaxed and didn’t have to go to war. And we must be careful of the temptations at the unexpected times in life.
Satan does not fill our hearts with hatred for God, but forgetfulness of God. The longer David stared at Bathsheba, the less he thought about God.
God fades before the lusting eyes.
Pursue the discipline of purity. We must live in purity whether those around us are doing so or not.
It is impossible to keep a clean mind if you’re not careful about what you watch on TV and see on the Internet.
It is better to go without a TV then to allow sin to destroy your life. Remember what Job said in Job 31:1
The Discipline of Friendship
One of the greatest examples of a friendship is David and Jonathan.
You should regularly place yourself in a position and in places to find friends.
Be open and honest with affirmations, and you will find friends.
A servant’s heart is key to finding friends.
The Discipline of Mind
Proverbs 23:7 — “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”
Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
A Christian mind is impossible without refusal.
The Discipline of Devotion
Prayer is aligning my will to the will of God.
You need a time and place for quiet time.
Mark 1:35 — “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
Prayer should be frequent and fervent.
The Discipline of the Tongue
Proverbs 18:8 — “The words of a talebearer (gossip) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
Gossip is the fast food of today.
A critical tongue is not a spiritual gift, it is from hell.
No discipline with your tongue = no godliness.
The Discipline of Work
God is a worker. He commanded Adam to work, and He expects us to work as well.
Your work is a sacred manner
Colossians 3:17, 23; 1, Corinthians 10:31
Run the race with perseverance God has given you.
The Discipline of Church
We will not grow apart from church.
Church is not a spectator sport.
The Discipline of Giving
It begins with giving ourselves to God, but it continues with giving to others.
You cannot serve two masters
The Discipline of Witness
Golfer Jack Nicklaus said the more he practiced, the luckier he became. Wayne Gretzky and many of the best sports players accredit their success to their discipline of practice.
You will never get anywhere without inglorious discipline.
Discipline is everything for the Christian life.
The Discipline of Godliness
If you are to succeed, you need some spiritual sweat. Discipline your soul and body.
Addiction to entertainment will strangle your godliness.
Time to man up, put down the joystick, and get to work.
The Discipline of Purity
We live in a sex-crazed world.
The church today has become more like the Corinthian church.
Movies, games, and secret glances desensitize men from godliness.
David fell when things seemed to be going well. He was relaxed and didn’t have to go to war. And we must be careful of the temptations at the unexpected times in life.
Satan does not fill our hearts with hatred for God, but forgetfulness of God. The longer David stared at Bathsheba, the less he thought about God.
God fades before the lusting eyes.
Pursue the discipline of purity. We must live in purity whether those around us are doing so or not.
It is impossible to keep a clean mind if you’re not careful about what you watch on TV and see on the Internet.
It is better to go without a TV then to allow sin to destroy your life. Remember what Job said in Job 31:1
The Discipline of Friendship
One of the greatest examples of a friendship is David and Jonathan.
You should regularly place yourself in a position and in places to find friends.
Be open and honest with affirmations, and you will find friends.
A servant’s heart is key to finding friends.
The Discipline of Mind
Proverbs 23:7 — “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”
Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
A Christian mind is impossible without refusal.
The Discipline of Devotion
Prayer is aligning my will to the will of God.
You need a time and place for quiet time.
Mark 1:35 — “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
Prayer should be frequent and fervent.
The Discipline of the Tongue
Proverbs 18:8 — “The words of a talebearer (gossip) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
Gossip is the fast food of today.
A critical tongue is not a spiritual gift, it is from hell.
No discipline with your tongue = no godliness.
The Discipline of Work
God is a worker. He commanded Adam to work, and He expects us to work as well.
Your work is a sacred manner
Colossians 3:17, 23; 1, Corinthians 10:31
Run the race with perseverance God has given you.
The Discipline of Church
We will not grow apart from church.
Church is not a spectator sport.
The Discipline of Giving
It begins with giving ourselves to God, but it continues with giving to others.
You cannot serve two masters
The Discipline of Witness
April 7, 2025
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I found this book to be a great starting place, but found myself wanting to go deeper at times. I would have preferred his chapter on the Grace of Discipline (16) to go after the first two chapters on the necessity of discipline because young men need to hear about the joys of grace before they can see the necessity of discipline. I did appreciate the simplicity of the book - he was clear and relatable to younger readers, but I felt that the simplicity sometimes left the reader wanting more. I especially appreciated his final chapter on Grace, even if I wish it came earlier in the book, because in that chapter the arrow finally hit home - you must not be passive, nor must you be legalistic, instead you must make the faith you have claimed your own by the grace and mercy of God working in you. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." I Corinthians 15:10.
June 24, 2019
Many men today live very undisciplined lives at worst and carelessly unintentional lives at best. However, if we are to live a life that is worthy of the gospel, that does not happen by accident. It takes intentionality and discipline.
This was a great book for young men to consider more seriously how they might intentionally live their lives for Christ. It reminded me a lot of an expanded and updated version of JC Ryle's "Thoughts for Young Men."
The book is divided up into chapters expanding on developing discipline in relationships, your soul, character and Ministry. It touches on these areas using biblical wisdom in thought-provoking ways and would help lead young men to consider more seriously how they are living in these areas.
I definitely recommend this for young men wishing to learn how to not waste their lives but spend it for what matters most. This book brings Good gospel truths and godly wisdom which would be profitable for men both young and old to take to heart.
This was a great book for young men to consider more seriously how they might intentionally live their lives for Christ. It reminded me a lot of an expanded and updated version of JC Ryle's "Thoughts for Young Men."
The book is divided up into chapters expanding on developing discipline in relationships, your soul, character and Ministry. It touches on these areas using biblical wisdom in thought-provoking ways and would help lead young men to consider more seriously how they are living in these areas.
I definitely recommend this for young men wishing to learn how to not waste their lives but spend it for what matters most. This book brings Good gospel truths and godly wisdom which would be profitable for men both young and old to take to heart.
July 30, 2024
I recently read Disciplines of a Godly Man and picked this up wanting to give it to the teens at my church. Mostly it's a shorter, simpler version of the original.
One problem... the first chapter on Purity was just too bad for me to ignore. Among the normal unhelpful "men are sex maniacs" language of most evangelical Purity Culture books was a short section which suggested starving yourself to achieve freedom from a masturbation habit.
It is amazing to me that the gospel of grace which gives freedom from sin applies to all sin except the sexual ones in most minds.
On the subject of sexual purity this book teaches young men that they must look away, white knuckle, and punish themselves into a modicum of freedom from sexual sin.
One problem... the first chapter on Purity was just too bad for me to ignore. Among the normal unhelpful "men are sex maniacs" language of most evangelical Purity Culture books was a short section which suggested starving yourself to achieve freedom from a masturbation habit.
It is amazing to me that the gospel of grace which gives freedom from sin applies to all sin except the sexual ones in most minds.
On the subject of sexual purity this book teaches young men that they must look away, white knuckle, and punish themselves into a modicum of freedom from sexual sin.
October 31, 2021
Reason I gave only 3 stars is mostly due to the fact that it is written to a younger audience; the principles/disciplines are all solid and true principles to build and apply to ones life. How authors break down principles into detail could be altered but again, this is written to middle/high school aged boys.
January 2, 2024
The first time I picked this book up was at my college library, and I read about 4 chapters. I read it through myself and used it in for a discipleship curriculum with some young men. It worked very well. It is straightforward, directly impacts its intended audience, and speaks Bible truth that doesn't change. This is a phenomenal read that I will keep going back to I'm sure.
March 5, 2021
The book talks about the seriousness of being a Christian man. It is no trivial matter being a Christian. Just as in any other area, discipline is necessary to live a truly godly life. Loved the book! I highly recommend it.
September 30, 2022
Easy to read, concise, well balanced, and encouraging. It focuses hard on being intentional and working hard, yet it also focuses on the grace of God. It wraps it up neatly at the end. The author has a fun sense of humor as well.
July 22, 2023
If you've read the original "Disciplines of a Godly man" then you have read 98% of this take. It is lightly edited for a younger audience, taking out more mature themes from the original work. If I had to guess, a proper age audience for a book like this would be 9-12 years old.
June 28, 2018
A helpful book for young men on what grace ought to look like fleshed out in everyday life.
November 24, 2019
Helpful. Could be good as a recommend. Not mind-blowing
February 1, 2020
This is a must read book. The basic military training every Christian have to go through.
September 23, 2020
Saving Our Sons With Purpose.
The information that I have obtained work be used as the foundation for my mentoring program. Saving Our Sons With Purpose.
The information that I have obtained work be used as the foundation for my mentoring program. Saving Our Sons With Purpose.
February 26, 2021
Very good, useful for teens and young guys.
March 8, 2021
“It is Gods Grace that energizes us to live out the disciplines of a godly young man.”
April 26, 2021
Helpful book.
December 30, 2021
Based at the start, kinda based at the end. Good read for rookie Christians.
May 27, 2022
Simple, challenging, and straight forward. I hope to get some of my students to read this.
October 23, 2022
Reread in one day. Piercingly and practically exhortative.
November 5, 2022
Not super heavy- but good reminders for the Christian man!
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