A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines: 12 Habits to Strengthen Your Walk with Christ

"An athlete who lifts weights as part of a training regimen probably doesn't lift just because he loves pumping iron.  He probably wants to improve his strength and endurance (and possibly his appearance).  Similarly, the disciplines are not ends in themselves-they are a means to an end."

"Spiritual disciplines do nothing to improve your record with God.  We don't perform the disciplines to make God happy (or avoid His wrath), or to earn favor or merit with God.  All the merit we need, we already have in Christ.  We place our trust in God-not in the disciplines."

 "Nevertheless, disciplines demonstrate to God how serious we are about following Him, and they also help us see how serious we are as well.  When all is said and done, spiritual disciplines are the designated means for us to grown in this relationship that we have with Jesus.  God is always speaking, so if we don't hear Him, it's not because He has suddenly gone silent.  It is more likely that we aren't listening-or perhaps don't know how to listen."

-From A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines

have children who leave the church.

Eight will fi nd their jobs unsatisfying.

Six will pay only the monthly minimum

on their credit cards. Five will have a

major problem with pornography. Four

will get divorced (affecting one million

children per year). Only one will have a

biblical worldview. All ten will wrestle

to balance work and family. The issues

facing men today require solutions

beyond just regular church attendance.

It takes discipline and determination to

keep faith strong. This book will give

men the tools they need to refl ect Christ

in all aspects of their lives.

Spiritual disciplines are to the believer what medical school is to the doctor.

A man came up to me at a conference where I was speaking and said, "Pat, do me a favor. Tell me how to be good. I already know how bad I am."

That statement captures the intent of this book - and the purpose of the spiritual disciplines. Spiritual strength, like surgical skill or athletic excellence, requires training and practice. To become the kind of man who walks with God and wields Christ's influence in your world, you'll want to begin a consistent regimen of spiritual exercises.

In A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines, Patrick Morley highlights twelve habits that will strengthen your walk with Christ, including:

-- Experiencing God in creation

-- Letting the Bible change your life

-- Learning the power of prayer

-- Grasping God's greatness through worship

-- Gaining strength through Sabbath

-- Thriving because of fellowship

-- Succeeding through wise counsel

-- And more . . .

By presenting each discipline with a concise overview, several examples, and application ideas to get you going, this powerful guidebook will help you develop the maturity every man of God was designed to reflect.

A Guide to Group Discussion  / 11

An Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines  / 15

Part 1: Discipline Related to the Works of God

1. A Man and Creation  / 21

Part 2: Discipline Related to the Word Of God

2. A Man and the Bible  / 35

Part 3: Disciplines Related to the "Whisper"of God

3. A Man and Prayer  / 49

4. A Man and Worship  / 65

5. A Man and the Sabbath  /  81

6. A Man and Fellowship  / 93

7. A Man and Counsel  / 105

8. A Man and Fasting  / 117

9. A Man and Spiritual Warfare  / 129

Part 4: Disciplines Related to a Witness for God

10. A Man and Stewardship  / 141

11. A Man and Service   / 155

12. A Man and Evangelism  /  / 167

Afterword  / 183

Notes  / 185