Be disciplined for Jesus

Discipline.

The first thoughts that might come to mind when thinking about discipline are harsh corrections, e.g. a spanking or a military drill sergeant.

Those thoughts would be correct because discipline is needed for correction in many phases of life.

But for believers, discipline also falls under alternate meanings of the word.

By definition from Merriam-Webster:

“Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; a field of study.”

Believers who want to share the Gospel of Jesus likely know where this is going.

Our training that molds us within our “field of study” (our discipline for our lives) follows the word of God – the Bible.

Our discipline, in all aspects, is to internalize God’s word with all our heart and soul and mind.

Psalm 119:10-11 (KJV) – “10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (KJV) – “6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

Matthew 4:4 (KJV) – “But (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

From here we can sustain our faith and deeds – be disciplined – with what we know of Jesus and His salvation, and we can build upon our discipline – the knowledge of Christ our Savior and our faith that propels us to share Him with the lost.

Matthew 22:37 (KJV) – “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

And being disciplined in this way leads us to what Christ calls us to do, which is to “love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39 (KJV)

Now, disciple, how can you be disciplined today in breaking through a barrier and connecting with someone for Jesus?

3 Questions for now

Discipline takes commitment and practice.

Disciplining ourselves to ask pertinent questions that create a conversation is not necessarily natural to all of us.

But we can learn, we can discipline ourselves.

Here are questions to ask as you discipline yourself to share with others:

• Do you ever feel like things in life are haphazard, like you’re not in control?

• What do you do when things get out of control in your daily life?

• I found a way to make sense of life’s chaos. May I share with you what I’ve found?

Set some goals. Forge a path. Share with someone.

Be kind. Love others. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Discipline is the foundation of our mission

Discipline.

As mentioned earlier, the word may provoke thoughts of punishment or correction, and rightfully so.

We have been disciplined by our fathers on earth, and our Father in Heaven has also disciplined us. All of this to help us grow, mature and better ourselves.

Hebrews 12:10-11 (KJV) – “10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Discipline with God results in a transformation for us that delivers peace and spiritual growth.

To noodle on the meaning of “discipline,” we can look at the root of the word that leads us to something more, something closer to who we are to be as believers in Christ.

The word “discipline” is derived from the Latin word “disciplina” which refers to training and instruction.” Taking it further down the academic rabbit hole, the root word from there is “discere” which refers to learning.

Now, disciple, that leads us down a different path with discipline.

Aside from correction we will encounter when we sin, discipline is something we should embrace in how we study and apply our faith in Christ in our lives.

Discipline requires us to be committed to our faith and work toward fulfilling our calling in Christ – sharing the Gospel with others.

This requires us to be disciplined in prayer and study of the Word – internalizing in our heart and soul and mind all that is Jesus and His salvation.

Joshua 1:8 (KJV) – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Our discipline – our study of God’s word or our calling – requires us to continually be in training and learning about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and allowing all that we know to be our mission in life … our personal ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

We can support our discipline by studying the Bible daily, attending worship on Sunday, and tapping into Sunday school or group Bible study. Our mission requires an involved intent for learning and understanding what God will have us do in our lives.

Colossians 3:16 (KJV) – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Discipline in our lives – by any definition – doesn’t look the same for every believer. We are all called to our chosen tasks, our mission, and that’s what we must pursue.

Romans 10:17 (KJV) – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

James 1:22 (KJV) – “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Now, disciple, where will your discipline take you today?