Discipline

This Thursday we begin a brand new series on self-discipline.

Paul the apostle placed this concept of formation (discipline) at the center of his admonition to Christian parents in Ephesians 6:4, where he commanded them to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

When you think about it, a lot of the instruction we received is by word of mouth. Discipline (paideia), however, is instruction through action. Essentially related to character formation, it involves a life-long process of learning and growth. It always implies a journey. For the early Christians, discipline entailed all of those things that are done in the community of faith that shape the whole person in the journey toward maturity in Christ.

We all need discipline. We should see it as a wonderful invitation to Christian discipleship. A disciple is a learner. A disciple of Christ is a person who has consented to place himself or herself under the discipline of the Lord, the true purpose of which is liberation. It's like learning the piano, unless you practice, you will never be "free" to release the music that is in your soul.

This, my friends, will be an incredible month!

pcraig