A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 4: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i on: The I nward Di sc i p l i nes 149

IV. The Discipline of Study

The purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. They aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. Nowhere is this purpose more clearly seen than in the Discipline of study. The apostle Paul tells us that we are transformed through the renewal of the mind (Rom. 12.2). The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4.8, [italics added]). The Discipline of study is the primary vehicle to bring us to “ think about these things.” Therefore, we should rejoice that we are not left to our own devices but have been given this means of God’s grace for the changing of our inner spirit. ~ Foster. Celebration of Discipline. p. 62.

A. The biblical witness

1. Definition: “Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful attention to reality the mind is enabled to move in a certain direction” (Foster, Celebration of Discipline , p. 63).

2. The need for the believer is to become a critical thinker , i.e., a person who judges all things in light of how they interface with the mind of God given to us by the Holy Spirit in the inspired Word of God.

a. None comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2.11 – For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

b. God alone reveals the things which are hidden, Dan. 2.22 – he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.