Definition of spiritual disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are gospel-centered personal and interpersonal activities (practices) that are prescribed in the Bible as means for collaborating with the Holy Spirit’s work of producing growth in godliness in the believer (1 Tim 4:7 NASB). Spiritual disciplines don’t guarantee or produce growth. The Holy Spirit produces growth and spiritual disciplines are merely a means to an end.
In other words, spiritual disciplines are spiritual habits. The Holy Spirit uses these habits to transform lives.
List of spiritual disciplines
Many authors cover different spiritual disciplines. On this page, I will share a list of common spiritual disciplines. I do that by sharing the table of contents of a few popular spiritual formation books.
Living the Spirit-formed Life: Growing in the 10 principles of spirit-filled discipleship by Jack Hayford
This book is one of my favorite spiritual formation books. I read it after I had read several dozens of other spiritual formation books. When I first created this page before I read his book, I wrote, “A very important discipline that I would add to the list below is the Discipline of forgiveness and overlooking offenses. Forgiveness is crucial to inner life health. When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, he names this specific discipline. We have to practice it regularly.” I was very excited to see that Jack Hayford included it his list of spiritual disciplines, what he calls the disciplines of the spirit. If I hadn’t seen it, I had made up my mind to write a book that included it. I also love Dr. Hayford’s inclusion of things like “Maintaining a heart of integrity”. I think that is crucial. Authenticity, which as I define it carries the concept of “maintaining a heart of integrity” is one of our core values. Our core values represent spiritual disciplines we need to practice.
Hayford includes the following spiritual disciplines
- Committing to Hear God’s Voice
- Living in the Power of Baptism
- Celebrating the Lord’s Table
- Walking in the Spirit of Forgiveness
- Feeding on the Word of God
- Maintaining Integrity of Heart
- Abiding in the Fullness of the Spirit
- Living a Life of Submission
- Practicing Solitude
- Living as a Worshiper
I love Hayford’s book because it’s very unique from many other books I’ve read and the contents resonate with me. Of all the spiritual formation books I’ve read, he covers the topics that I would include in a book I write.
When I write a book on spiritual formation, I would also like to include chapters on the following topics: Prayer, meditation, fasting, disciplemaking, simplicity/minimalism, etc.
Hayford, Jack. Living the Spirit-Formed Life: Growing in the 10 Principles of Spirit-Filled Discipleship (p. 6). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Foster covers the following spiritual disciplines
Part 1: The inward disciplines. 1. Meditation; 2. Prayer; 3. Fasting; 4. Study
Part II: The outward disciplines. 5. Simplicity; 6. Solitude; 7. Submission; 8. Service
Part III: The corporate disciplines. 9. Confession; 10. Worship; 11. Guidance; 12. Celebration.
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
Whitney covers the following spiritual disciplines
- Bible Intake (Hearing God’s Word; Reading God’s word; Studying God’s Word; Memorizing God’s word; Meditating on God’s word)
- Prayer
- Worship
- Evangelism
- Serving
- Stewardship
- Fasting
- Silence and solitude
- Journaling
- Learning
- Perseverance in the Disciplines
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun
Calhoun covers the following spiritual disciplines. She uses the mnemonic WORSHIP to structure her book, where WORSHIP stands for Worship, Open myself to God, Relinquish the false self, Share my life with others, Hear God’s word, Incarnate the love of Christ, and Pray.
Part 1: Worship
Celebration
Gratitude
Holy Communion
Rule for Life
Sabbath
Worship
Part 2: Open Myself to God
Contemplation
Examen
Journaling
Practicing the Presence
Rest
Retreat
Self-Care
Simplicity
Slowing
Teachability
Unplugging
Part 3: Relinquish the False Self
Confession and Self-Examination
Detachment
Discernment
Secrecy
Silence
Solitude
Spiritual Direction
Submission
Part 4: Share My Life with Others
Accountability Partner
Chastity
Community
Covenant Group
Discipling
Hospitality
Mentoring
Service
Small Group
Spiritual Friendship
Unity
Witness
Part 5: Hear God’s Word
Bible Study
Devotional Reading
Meditation
Memorization
Part 6: Incarnate the Love of Christ
Care of the Earth
Compassion
Control of the Tongue
Humility
Justice
Stewardship
Truth Telling
Part 7: Pray
Breath Prayer
Centering Prayer
Contemplative Prayer
Conversational Prayer
Fasting
Fixed-Hour Prayer
Inner-Healing Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Labyrinth Prayer
Liturgical Prayer
Prayer Partners
Praying Scripture
Prayer of Recollection
Prayer Walking
