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

Ses s i on 5: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Charac ter : The Outward Di sc i p l i nes 227

2. The discipline of solitude involves the cultivation of silence before the Lord as well as seeking special seasons of aloneness and isolation in order to experience the Lord’s presence and leading.

3. The discipline of submission refers to the freedom we have to both subordinate our will to that of the Lord, and surrender our rights to always get our way for our own sakes.

4. The discipline of service involves expressing our devotion to the Lord and love for others in the cultivation of a lifestyle of kindness, generosity, and hospitality.

B. Critical implications

1. As disciples of Jesus we are to outwardly express, in every dimension of our lives, the richness of the walk we have cultivated in the inward disciplines of the Word, prayer, fasting, and study.

2. As we cultivate a life of simplicity, we will experience a new sense of devotion to God and release from the things and ambitions of the world. Only in simplicity can the power of devotion to Christ be fully experienced.

3. In a world of noise, clamor, and crowds, it is urgent that 21st century urban disciples experience the power of silence before the Lord and solitude in aloneness. We must cultivate times where we experience a “fast” from media, television, crowds, and noise in order to rediscover the presence and voice of the Almighty.

4. Submission (the ability to subordinate our own will and obey the commands and orders according to the direction of another) is a powerful personal and corporate