Practicing
the Spiritual
Disciplines

We are super excited to begin our new sermon series and church wide challenge, Let’s Build Together. The challenge is to commit to 52 days – the time it took Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem – of study, prayer, fasting, meditation, memorization and other weekly challenges. These are foundational disciplines for the spiritual health of a disciple of Christ

Let’s Build Together?
But what are we building? Well as we learned in week 1:

  • We’re building ourselves. We’re praying and asking God to make our hearts more pliable to Him.
  • We’re building others. We’re praying and asking God to make our hearts more pliable to the concerns of others.
  • We’re building the kingdom. We are seeking and praying that we use the influence and positions that God has placed us in to further the kingdom of God.

So imagine what God can do in our homes, in our families, our church family, in our communities, and in this world when we all work together to build in response to Nehemiah’s call, Let’s Build Together (Nehemiah 2:18).

The spiritual disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion to help us fully connect with God and others. This is important because just as the undisciplined body becomes sluggish and out of shape, the undisciplined spirit becomes weak. This is why Paul tells Timothy: “train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim 4:7-8).

This verse is the cornerstone of the spiritual disciplines because it spells out their purpose—training for godliness. “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB). The goal is godliness, but the biblical means to that is to discipline yourself

Start Small

The easiest way to get overwhelmed is to try and do too much at once. That is why we have one challenge a week that we can incorporate to our daily lives.

Be Accountable

Just as we do better at physical exercise when we have a trainer to hold us accountable, we should have a spiritual partner that can help keep us disciplined in our spiritual activity.

Track Your Growth

Consider keeping a journal or record of your activity with the spiritual disciplines. Journaling is one of the best places for charting your progress holding yourself accountable to your goals.

Weekly Challenges:

Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines

During our weekly challenges we’ll be looking at the life and ministry of Nehemiah. One of the powerful lessons we learn in Nehemiah is how much we can accomplish when we align ourselves with the will and plan of God. Nehemiah and the people of God accomplished what seemed impossible because “…the people had a mind to work” (4:6).

Spiritual disciplines are practices or habits that we find modeled and taught in Scripture.

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Meditation

Meditation is to think on, reflect on, ponder; to turn over in my mind; to internalize, when it becomes a part of you.
I will meditate on your wonderful deeds – Psalm 119:27

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Prayer

Prayer is talking to God.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2

Pursuing the Word of God for Transformation

Bible Study is knowing God and learning His truths and priorities through the study of Scripture.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” — John 8:31

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Worship

Worship is our response to the revelation of God in our lives
“Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only ” — Luke 4:8

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Service

An action done to others for the benefit of others with right motives, by God’s strength to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. ” — 1 Peter 4:10

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Memorizing Scripture

Memorizing Scripture is storing the scripture in our minds; committing God’s word to memory so that it can be recalled and put to use.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity

Seeking God’s Kingdom first. Be concerned above all else with God’s kingdom and what God wants.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ” —  Matthew 6:33

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Stewardship

Stewardship is faithfully managing God’s resources, for the benefit and love of God and others.
“Guard the treasure that was committed to you…” — 2 Timothy 1:14 

Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Rejoicing

Joy is the inner gladness, satisfaction, and confidence in God that ignites our heart to rejoice.


“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4