Spiritual Disciplines
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Liberty University
READING REPORT: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
BY DONALD S. WHITNEY
Submitted to Dr. B. R. Lowman
In Partial Completion of Course Requirements For
PLED 520 – Spiritual Formation
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
SUMMARY 1
EVALUATION AND CRITIQUE 7
PERSONAL APPLICATION 8
CONCLUSION 8
BIBLIOGRAPHY 9
INTRODUCTION
Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life explores eleven different spiritual disciplines that should be active in the believers’ life. The spiritual disciplines bring about spiritual growth that flow from disciplines that are both private and corporate.[1] The ultimate goal of engaging in and practicing spiritual disciplines is to draw the individual closer to God. The eleven disciplines that Whitney outlines in this book are: Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. In all of this practicing, the main objective is that one begins to practice the disciplines outlined in this book to promote their own spiritual growth. Even though the list that Whitney puts forth in this book is not a comprehensive list, simply incorporating the disciplines listed in this book will put one on the path to growth.
SUMMARY
Whitney, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, divides each of the thirteen chapters for the purpose of adequately covering each discipline per chapter with the exception of Bible intake, which is discussed in two chapters. Whitney concludes the book with his final chapter explaining why perseverance in the disciplines is necessary. The chapters contain basic definitions of the discipline, ways to practice them and the importance of doing so. Each chapter ends with a personal challenge to commit one to the practice of the
Liberty University
READING REPORT: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
BY DONALD S. WHITNEY
Submitted to Dr. B. R. Lowman
In Partial Completion of Course Requirements For
PLED 520 – Spiritual Formation
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
SUMMARY 1
EVALUATION AND CRITIQUE 7
PERSONAL APPLICATION 8
CONCLUSION 8
BIBLIOGRAPHY 9
INTRODUCTION
Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life explores eleven different spiritual disciplines that should be active in the believers’ life. The spiritual disciplines bring about spiritual growth that flow from disciplines that are both private and corporate.[1] The ultimate goal of engaging in and practicing spiritual disciplines is to draw the individual closer to God. The eleven disciplines that Whitney outlines in this book are: Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. In all of this practicing, the main objective is that one begins to practice the disciplines outlined in this book to promote their own spiritual growth. Even though the list that Whitney puts forth in this book is not a comprehensive list, simply incorporating the disciplines listed in this book will put one on the path to growth.
SUMMARY
Whitney, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, divides each of the thirteen chapters for the purpose of adequately covering each discipline per chapter with the exception of Bible intake, which is discussed in two chapters. Whitney concludes the book with his final chapter explaining why perseverance in the disciplines is necessary. The chapters contain basic definitions of the discipline, ways to practice them and the importance of doing so. Each chapter ends with a personal challenge to commit one to the practice of the
Bibliography: Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 1997.