What are spiritual disciplines?
Spiritual disciplines are habits of grace — practices like Bible reading, prayer, worship, fasting, silence, and service — that put us in the path of God’s grace so he can shape us into the likeness of Christ.
Disciplines do not earn God’s love; they receive it. Paul tells Timothy to "train yourself in godliness," using a word from athletics. The Christian life involves training, not just trying.
Classic disciplines include: Scripture, prayer, worship, fasting, silence and solitude, simplicity, confession, service, and giving. None of them save us; all of them open us to the One who does.
The aim is Christ-likeness. Disciplines are not the goal; they are the path on which the Spirit grows the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and the rest.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.