The Essential Quality of Self-Discipline


“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”  – 1 Corinthians 9:25

Self-Discipline:  the ability to exercise control over one’s actions, thoughts, inner desires and words.  (From the Greek enkrateia – meaning lordship or power over.)

“He must live a devout and disciplined life.”  – Titus 1:8

HOW DO I GROW THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF SELF-DISCIPLINE?

• _____________  ___________ __________  __________

(Jesus) “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”  – John 15:5

Level 1: Getting Started

• ________  __________

• Attend Church Regularly

• __________  __________  _______  _______  ________

Level 2: Maturing Disciplines

• Develop a Bible Study Plan

• __________  _________  _______  __________

• Honor God Through My Tithing

“Train yourself to be godly.”  – 1 Timothy 4:7

• d________  _____  ______  _____  ______  _______.

“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (see also Hebrews 12:1)

• D_________  ____  _________  ______  ______ (no matter the cost).

(Paul) “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.”  – Acts 20:22-27

Level 3: Accelerating Maturity

• ____________________________________________

• Fasting

• _______________________________

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”  – 2 Timothy 1:7

• D_______  ________  _______ (no matter how hard it gets).
  
  

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  – Galatians 6:9

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  – Philippians 4:13

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!”  – 1 Corinthians 9:24

My Next Step Today is to…

• Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:25.
• Commit to the self-discipline necessary to develop godly spiritual habits.