Throughout The Course, The Students Will Be Reading David Ma ✓ Solved

Throughout The Course The Students Will Be Reading David Mathishabit

Throughout the course, the students will be reading David Mathis’ Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines. This book outlines different spiritual disciplines (called habits) that foster spiritual growth. As they read the book, the students will attempt to participate in 6 of these spiritual disciplines, with at least one from each of the main categories described in the book (Word, Prayer, and Fellowship). In week 7, the students will submit a 3–5 page paper in which they describe their experience with these disciplines. The paper will consist of 6 sections, one for each of the disciplines the students participated in (half-page minimum). Each section will a.) describe what the discipline is (according to Mathis) and b.) reflect on the students’ own experience in practicing the discipline.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In this assignment, I explore six spiritual disciplines from David Mathis’ book, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines. These habits are designed to foster spiritual growth and deepen one’s relationship with Jesus. The disciplines I chose cover the key categories—Word, Prayer, and Fellowship—as outlined in the book. My reflections on practicing these disciplines are based on my experiences, challenges, and insights gained through intentional practice.

Discipline 1: Scripture Reading (Word)

According to Mathis, Scripture reading is the foundational habit for spiritual nourishment, allowing believers to encounter God’s truth and promises. Mathis emphasizes that engaging with the Bible regularly helps believers grow in faith and understanding. I approached this discipline by setting aside daily time for reading, using a plan that guided me through different parts of the Bible. Initially, I found it challenging to stay focused, but over time, I began to appreciate the richness of Scripture and how it reveals God's character and His promises. This discipline has deepened my understanding of God’s grace and has strengthened my trust in His Word.

Discipline 2: Prayer (Prayer)

Mathis describes prayer as communicating with God, engaging with Him personally and honestly. It is essential for cultivating a vibrant relationship with Jesus. I practiced prayer through both structured formats, like the Lord’s Prayer, and spontaneous, conversational prayer. At first, it was difficult to maintain consistency and resist distractions, but as I persisted, I noticed a profound sense of peace and clarity. Prayer became a way to bring my worries, gratitude, and requests before God, helping me to align my heart with His will. This discipline has continue to deepen my intimacy with Jesus and renewed my dependence on His grace.

Discipline 3: Fellowship (Fellowship)

Mathis highlights fellowship as the practice of building relationships within the body of Christ, which encourages spiritual growth through accountability, encouragement, and mutual edification. I participated in a small group where we discussed Scripture and shared life experiences. Engaging with fellow believers challenged me to grow in humility and love, and provided a space for mutual support. I experienced that authentic fellowship creates a sense of belonging and accountability that motivates spiritual discipline. Practicing this discipline has reminded me of the importance of community in the Christian life.

Discipline 4: Meditation on God’s Word (Word)

Meditation, as described by Mathis, involves pondering and dwelling on Scripture to internalize its truth. I practiced meditative reading by slow, reflective engagement with passages that spoke to my current life circumstances. This discipline helped me interpret Scripture more deeply and see God's Word as life-giving and relevant. It also challenged me to pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and comfort. Reflection revealed that meditation enhances understanding and makes Scripture more personal and transformative.

Discipline 5: Confession and Repentance (Fellowship)

Mathis discusses confession as openness with God and others about sin, leading to repentance and spiritual cleansing. I practiced journaling my sins and bringing them before God in prayer, sometimes confiding in a trusted friend for accountability. Initially, vulnerability felt uncomfortable, but I experienced freedom and humility in that process. This discipline fostered genuine repentance, restoring intimacy with God and enabling spiritual growth. It underscored the importance of humility and grace in the Christian journey.

Discipline 6: Serving Others (Fellowship)

Servanthood, as outlined by Mathis, involves actively loving and serving others as an expression of Christ’s love. I volunteered at a local food bank, where I learned that serving requires selflessness and compassion. The experience shifted my perspective from superficial acts to meaningful expressions of Christ’s love in action. Serving others reminded me of Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice, inspiring me to live out my faith actively. It revealed that service is an essential discipline for cultivating Christlike character.

Conclusion

Practicing these six disciplines deepened my understanding of my faith and my relationship with Jesus. Each discipline presented unique challenges and rewards, emphasizing that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey requiring intentional effort and dependence on God’s grace. Engaging in Scripture, prayer, fellowship, meditation, confession, and service has transformed my spiritual life, cultivating humility, gratitude, and love. I look forward to continuing these disciplines beyond this course to sustain my spiritual walk.

References

  • Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines. Crossway, 2018.
  • Royce, Thomas. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. HarperCollins, 2010.
  • Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1995.
  • Chandler, R. Albert. My Utmost for His Highest. Discovery House, 2011.
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. SCM Press, 1959.
  • Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. Discovery House, 2011.
  • Kennedy, John. Discipleship Essentials. InterVarsity Press, 2006.
  • Packer, J.I. Knowing God. InterVarsity Press, 1993.
  • Wright, N.T. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. HarperOne, 2006.
  • Wilkins, M. Craig. The Message of the Sermon on the Mount. Crossway, 2012.

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