Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life (Don Whitney)

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

A major work on sanctification in the Christian life for the past 20 years, revised and updated. For over two decades now, this has become the standard book to guide followers of Christ through a personal study of the essential spiritual disciplines. Each one involves your personal growth in the Lord.

Twenty years ago, Don Whitney shed fresh light on how Christians approach Christian growth with the original release of this book. Drawing from a rich heritage of godly believers from Christian history, he guides readers through this carefully selected array of disciplines:

Key Disciplines Don Whitney covers:

• Bible reading
• Prayer
• Worship
• Meditation
• Service
• Evangelism
• Stewardship
• Application
• Fasting
• Silence
• Solitude
• Journaling

Whitney also shows how these spiritual disciplines, far from being legalistic, as they are often perceived, are actually the means to unparalleled spiritual liberty. Updated with in-depth questions on Bible study and prayer, and methods for praying through and meditating on Scripture.

This book will leave a lasting mark on your Christian life. By illustrating why these disciplines are important, Whitney shows how the practice of them will help you grow in godliness, and offers practical suggestions for cultivating them. This is the book which provides you with a refreshing opportunity to become more like and grow in character and maturity.

About the Author

Don Whitney has been Professor of Biblical spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, since 2005. Before that, he held a similar position (the first such position in the six Southern Baptist seminaries) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, for 10 years. He is the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don is a frequent speaker in churches, retreats, and conferences in the U.S. and abroad.

Don grew up in Osceola, AR, where he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After graduating from Arkansas State, Don planned to finish law school and pursue a career in sportscasting. While at the University of Arkansas School of Law, he sensed God’s call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He then enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979. In 1987, Don completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He earned a PhD in theology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfonteine, South Africa in 2013.

Pastoral Background

Prior to his ministry as a seminary professor, Don pastored Glenfield Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, IL (a Chicago suburb), for almost 15 years. Altogether, he’s served local churches in pastoral ministry for 24 years.

He is the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, which has a companion Study Guide. He has also written How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian?, Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, and Family Worship. His hobby is restoring and using old fountain pens.

Don lives with his wife, Caffy, in their home near Louisville. She teaches classes for seminary wives and is an artist, muralist, and illustrator. The Whitneys are parents of one daughter, Laurelen.