Page 58 - First Steps 2023

7. Incorporate four disciplines of the Christian faith.
Discipline is for many people a dirty word…but not the way we’re us-
ing it here.

It means a practice, a habit that helps you once it becomes a routine
part of your life.
The following four practices have helped Jesus-followers like you
since Day 1—Jesus modeled them for his first disciples, and we still ben-
efit when we incorporate them in our lives today.
They’re daily reminders to seek first the Kingdom of God. They’re
windows that swing open your soul, giving God’s grace the chance to blow

through your life like a refreshing breeze.
And they’ll help you overcome temptation, too.
You and your discipler will address these in greater detail later; for
now, just know they’re there and you’ll be finding out how they can help
you grow in your faith.

• Discipline 1: Prayer
In the coming weeks you’ll discover how to pray with specificity—and
you’ll see God answering your prayers.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are atten-
tive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do
evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

• Discipline 2: Bible study
You’ll find you actually want to be reading the Bible regularly once

you understand how to encounter the Bible less as a homework assign-
ment and more as a story of God’s love for you.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you”
(James 1:21).

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