40 Days of Discipline

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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 5 – Devotional Readings

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1 – 2, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Determination

Reflection:

The concept of perseverance, or the determination to continue despite challenges, features in our Scripture passage for today.  It is a concept I can relate to because over the years I have completed several half marathons.  My time to complete the 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers) ranges between 2 hours 8 minutes and 39 seconds, and 2 hours 43 minutes and 33 seconds, the year I hurt my knee. 

The fastest half marathon by a female is 1 hour 2 minutes and 52 seconds, achieved by Letesenbet Gidey in Valencia, Spain in 2021.  Letesenbet is an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. She was once suspended from high school for refusing to participate in physical education classes (she was disinterested because she wanted to become a pilot or a doctor).  Her remarkable victory in Valencia was approximately 10 years after that suspension.  This remarkable turnaround can be partly attributed to her determination and discipline.  Where determination is concerned, Letesenbet was successful despite dealing with a civil war in her home country and significant cultural challenges for women runners in Ethiopia.  In terms of discipline, she adhered to a rigorous training program.  For example, to prepare for the 13.1-mile race, she would train by running for 18.6 miles (30 kilometers), and as if that wasn’t enough, her training sessions were at high altitudes in Ethiopia. 

The time it took me to prepare for my first race was more than a year.  While my preparation cannot be compared to Letesenbet’s, I learned how much discipline and determination is required to train for a race of any distance. 

On several occasions, the Apostle Paul likens our faith journey to a race. The author of Hebrews does the same in our Scripture passage.  As I think about the discipline and determination required to run a good race, I see some parallels to the requirements to run the Christian race:   

  • Diet: The Word
  • Weight training: Withstanding temptations
  • Rest days: Worship
  • Runs: Day-to-day life 

Conclusion:

I encourage you to actively train with discipline and determination for your spiritual race. You already have the training plan in the Word of God.   I would love hear your thoughts.

Contributor: Bridget Jeffries


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 4 – Review

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.   (1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27, English Standard Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Today is reserved for your review of the discussions we have engaged in over the past three days.  As you perform your review, please catch up on the comments.   

Suggestion:

One of our commentators (Pastor Ronnie) provided what could be considered a personal restatement of our Scripture passage: “Run well! Finish Well, Receive Well done!  Start with the End in mind. Do whatever is necessary to finish well and receive the Prize.”  Take some time to come up with your own restatement, and if you care to, please share it on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 3 – Group Bible Study

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.   (1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27, English Standard Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Context:

Thank you so much for the excellent comments over the last two days!

So far, in our study of the Scripture passage above, we have considered the “why” (an “imperishable” prize), and the what (running to win) of Paul’s discourse.  Today, we turn to the “how.” 

The “why, what, how” framework is particularly helpful in distinguishing purpose (why) from the process of achieving the purpose (what and how).  As you think about the acts of self-discipline Paul describes in the passage, prayerfully consider where you think discipline falls in the framework.    

Historians say that the ancient Greek Olympians would take an oath of training, which required them to swear that they had trained for at least 10 months before competition.  In other words, the athletes were discouraged from competing without discipline.  The Apostle Paul would likely have been aware of this context when he used the sporting metaphors.  Consequently, he would expect his audience to comprehend the importance of discipline and the role it should play in the life of Christians.

Questions:

  • Would you describe Paul’s discipline/training as his purpose (why) or a means to achieving his purpose (how)?
  • What spiritual pitfalls could result from of confusing process with purpose? 

Please share your answers on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 2 – Group Bible Study

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.   (1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27, English Standard Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Context:

Many thanks to those who shared their answer to the questions yesterday!

Today we turn to the “what” in our frame.  Just as Paul’s motivation (his why) is clear, so too are his actions and directives (his what).  Paul uses the sporting metaphors to demand specific action. It is worth thinking about why he makes the demand he does.     

Questions:

  1. What action does Paul demand and why do you believe he picks this action?
  2. Can you think of another Scripture passage that uses similar sporting analogies?

Please share your answers on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 1 – Group Bible Study

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.   (1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27, English Standard Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Context:

The Scripture passage for our study over the next three days is 1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27 (see above). For our study, we will be using a “why, what, how” framework.  In the passage, the Apostle Paul presents his motivations (why) for a course of action (what) and then explains how to pursue the course of action (how).  It is typically best to start with the why, so, today we will focus on Paul’s motivations.

In the verses before the Scripture passage, the Apostle Paul expresses his passion for sharing the Gospel, and the lengths to which he will go to share the good news with others.  He then presents a call to action using sporting metaphors (running and boxing).  Because of the popularity of Greek games with the Corinthians (e.g., Isthmian and Olympic games), these metaphors would have struck home.  Using the metaphors, Paul shares compelling reasons for the actions he personally pursues and also demands of the Corinthians.      

Questions:

  1. Based on Paul’s metaphors, what are the motivations for his actions? 
  2. Why are these motivations compelling?

Please share your answers on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline – Postscript (Resurrection Day)

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1 – 10, New International Version)

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:16 – 20, New International Version)

Hallelujah He is risen!

Please click on the link below:

In Christ Alone (Michael W. Smith)

See you next year.


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40 Days of Discipline:  Day 40 – Review

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23 – 25, New International Version)

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:16 – 20, New International Version)

Theme:  Discipleship

Context

Today, we conclude our 40 Days of Discipline journey with our final day of review.  Each year during lent, we promote the practice of spiritual disciplines to encourage a deeper relationship with God.  Thank you for being a part of this journey. 

We focused on the theme of Discipleship this year, and explored the intrinsic link between the disciplines of Bible Study and Prayer and discipleship.  Hopefully, you have become more aware of how the Holy Spirit can use the disciplines to enhance your life as a disciple of Jesus.   

The comments we have received over the last 40 days have made an enormous difference, and we are truly grateful to those who commented.  If you were a “silent” participant we also greatly appreciate your participation.

Tomorrow is a special day to celebrate the wonderful privilege we have to be disciples of our risen Saviour and Lord.  We have found our lives in Jesus and He has equipped us to follow Him, share the gospel, and “make disciples.” 

Request

Look out for opportunities to share the joy of being a disciple of Jesus with someone who needs to hear the gospel.    

Please share any final thoughts on our journey this year.  We would love to hear from you.


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 39 – Passion Week

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”  36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.  39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  (Luke 23:32 – 43, New International Version, Emphasis added)

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).  (Mark 15:33 – 34, New International Version, Emphasis added)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  (Luke 23:44 – 46, New International Version, Emphasis added)

Theme:  Discipleship

Context:

Thanks for your comments yesterday.  You highlighted Jesus’ love and compassion for His exhausted disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.  An even more historic act of love is what we celebrate today.  As He hung on the cross, Jesus demonstrated God’s love for the whole world.     

For our final consideration of the prayers that Jesus prayed during Passion Week, we turn our eyes to the cross.  The seven sayings of Jesus on the cross have been studied extensively.  Included in Jesus’ sayings are three very short prayers.  Thousands of pages have been written about the meaning of these prayers and not surprisingly, the views expressed vary significantly.   We will not attempt to engage in the theological debates because doing so is not necessary for our purposes.  Instead, we will summarize some important points relevant to our theme of discipleship.  A few thoughts on Jesus’ three prayers on the cross are provided below:

  • “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Consistent with his teaching to love our enemies and pray for them, Jesus asks His father to forgive those who have played a part in His unjust crucifixion.
  • “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Using the words of Psalm 22:2, Jesus was transparent about His suffering and He expressed the sense of abandonment He experienced on the cross.
  • “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  Using the words of Psalm 31:5, Jesus declares His faith in His Father and His declaration of the ultimate act of sacrifice. 

Throughout our journey over 39 days so far, repeatedly we have seen how important Scripture and prayer were to Jesus’ ministry.  In the pivotal moment of His crucifixion, again we see Jesus using Scripture and praying.  The example set by Jesus on the cross is an emphatic confirmation that His disciples must be committed to Bible study and praying!

The most profound message in the three prayers though, is a message of love.  In fact, the prayers bring to mind John 3:16.   The compassion in the first prayer echoes, “For God so loved the world.”  The sacrifice and suffering in the second prayer echoes, “that he gave his one and only Son.”  Finally, the faith and confidence in the last prayer echoes, “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

We are disciples of a God of love, and we love Him because He first loved us!     

Bible Passages:

Jesus’ prayers on the cross are captured in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  The only prayer not captured in the passages above is from Matthew 27:46, which is essentially the same as Mark 15:34.  Please prayerfully read the passages and respond to the request and question below.          

Request/Question:

Please spend some time this Good Friday in prayerful reflection on the privilege we have to be disciples of a God who loves us infinitely.  Based on your reflections, what do you feel compelled to do more of as a disciple of Jesus?

Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else.  Please leave a comment on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 38 – Passion Week

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.  45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”  (Matthew 26:36 – 46, New International Version)

Theme:  Discipleship

Context:

Thanks for your comments yesterday regarding unity, including the link to the song, “We are One in the Spirit.”  In our individualistic societies with many fractured local churches, it is easy to forget how important unity is to the identity and mission of disciples of Jesus.  As is evident in your comments, John 17 reveals the importance of unity to Jesus and by extension, to us.

We will now turn our attention to Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  In Matthew’s account, Jesus prayed three times and asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him, but they could not stay awake.  Jesus’ suffering, His request to His father for the cup to be taken from Him, and His submission to the will of His Father have been the topics of many Christological and trinitarian debates.  Except for recognizing that there is considerable mystery surrounding the interplay that occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane between man’s finite domain and God’s infinite domain, we will not be engaging in the theological debates in this discussion.  Instead, our focus is on the interactions between Jesus and His disciples. 

During intense sorrow and suffering, Jesus was persistent in prayer and persistent in encouraging His disciples to pray.  Put yourself in the Garden of Gethsemane for a moment.  Imagine knowing that you are soon going to be unjustly tortured and killed. Then, imagine sharing your sorrow with some of your closest friends and asking them to watch and pray with you. Finally, imagine that instead of watching and praying, your friends fall asleep. Despite the inability of your friends to watch and pray with you, would you patiently continue to encourage them to pray and keep checking up on them?

Bible Passage:

Our Scripture passage today presents Matthew’s account of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before He is betrayed by Judas.  Please prayerfully read the passage and answer the questions below.          

Questions:

  • Why did Jesus want His disciples to watch and pray with Him?
  • What stands out to you about Jesus’ interactions with the exhausted disciples?

Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else.  Please leave a comment on the blog.


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 37 – Passion Week

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”  (John 17:20 – 26, New International Version)

Theme:  Discipleship

Context:

Thanks for your insightful comments about the word of God yesterday.  Jesus’ prayer for His disciples echoes His response to the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4), quoting Deuteronomy 8:3: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  Your comments emphasize the importance of the word of God to His disciples. This importance cannot be overstated!

We now continue our examination of John 17 to gain insights into the subject matters that really mattered to Jesus and His disciples. Today, we move to the second section of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples.  Just as we found repeated references to the word of God in yesterday’s Scripture passage, in today’s Scripture passage we find repeated references to another subject, unity.   Based on the priority Jesus gave this subject in His prayer, all His disciples should likewise make this a top priority.

Bible Passage:

Our Scripture passage today captures the last section of Jesus’ prayer in John 17 where Jesus prays for generations of disciples.   Please prayerfully read the passage and consider the questions below.          

Questions:

Please highlight the references to unity (including phrases such as “be one,” “in me,” “in you,” or “in them”) in the passage above and note the purpose for each reference. 

  • How many references do you see?
  • Based on your notes, why is unity of utmost importance to disciples of Jesus?