It is for discipline that you endure…All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. [Hebrews 12:7a, 11-13]
I normally focus on a “word for the year” as opposed to a resolution. I hadn’t given it much thought in December as I prepared my heart for what God might have in store for me in 2024, but discipline kept popping into my mind. (I know, it’s not a fun word.)
All my life, I thought I was well-disciplined (insert Mom and Dad’s chuckle here). As I entered my early twenties, I was great at dedicating ample time to reading my Bible daily, checking off my to-do lists, and following through on my commitments. It was a few years later that I realized how much I had been suffocating living this life of expected perfection. I finally released that burden and learned that my value was not found in being a disciplined and well-ordered woman.
Fast forward a few more years, and now that lack of discipline, thanks to my newly discovered freedom and identity, is suffocating me all the same.
As I consider the word, discipline, the word that comes to mind is disciple. How can you have one without the other?
If discipleship—that is, following Jesus and his teachings—is our daily goal, then discipline is the way we ensure our path to follow Jesus is straight.
Being a disciple means you need a teacher, and discipline is the outcome of teaching a disciple.
They go hand-in-hand. I may be on a specific journey to rediscover the balance of a disciplined life this year, but I reckon we all need this reminder that discipline is not bad nor should it be undesirable.
If we are seeking to live a life worthy of our calling,1 discipline should be a regular tool in our arsenal to ensure righteousness abounds.
The Word: Disciple
Strong’s G3101 | mathētēs (math-ay-tes')
a learner, pupil, disciple
one who follows one’s teachings
not only one who learns but one who adheres to what is taught
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35
It is not by our knowledge alone that we are disciples, but the way we live, and that often requires discipline because of our human nature. In order to follow the path of teaching Jesus has given us, we must allow the Spirit to correct and discipline us so our feet stay straight on the path.
The Word: Discipline
Strong’s G3809 | paideia (pahee-di'-ah)
instruction, correction, chastening, nurture
education, teaching, admonition, rewards, punishment
“it also includes the training of the body”
“whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.”
“instruction which aims at increasing virtue”
Discipline is not to be confused with provocation, antagonization, or mockery (see Ephesians 6:4). Discipline is a way to reprove someone/yourself so that you may strengthen, sharpen, and solidify one’s body, mind, and spirit.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training (G3809) in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
If our goal is to look more like Jesus in 2024 than we did in 2023, then discipline must become part of our daily rhythms.
Discipline is the roadmap for discipleship.
What does that look like for you? Here’s what it will look like for me this year:
Moving my body regularly and in challenging ways to strengthen my muscles
Reading the Bible in 90 days to strengthen my knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word
Monthly bite-size goals for different areas of life (journaling every day, reading a book a month, etc)
Discipline is for your whole self: mind, body, and soul. How will you cultivate it? Who will hold you accountable? What are your discipleship goals this year?
Read the Bible in 90 Days with Me!
I’ve never read the Bible all the way through, and this seemed like the best first goal of strengthening my discipleship for 2024. I’m reading it chronologically, and I created a free guide to go along with the reading that I wanted to share with you. You can read more about this journey here, but download the free guide below.
I’m struggling not to read every bit of commentary that is in my Bible - I’m a few days behind now and have started listening on the dwell app too to catch up.
I just looked at your guide - I LOVE the space to take notes for reflection and questions - I’m journaling in the margins of my Bible as I go particularly on the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout scripture and the attributes. Have you started yet? What day are you on?