by John R. Gentry

Introduction:

1. Titus 2.11, 12; 1 Pet. 2.18–25, God saved us, in part, to train us to live a self-disciplined life like the perfect example of Jesus.
2. Let’s study what it means to be trained/disciplined, by looking at how the word is used in the New Testament, looking to the example of Jesus, and considering how to develop discipline.

Discussion:

1. The Definition of Discipline
   1. “Training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency … Acceptance of or submission to authority and control.” (Webster’s New World Dictionary)
   2. 1) The whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment).  It also includes the training and care of the body.  2) Whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions; a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue; b) chastisement, chastening, (used of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment). (Thayer)
   3. Some places in the New Testament where the word is used in the KJV:[1]
      1. Eph. 6.4 “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (NASU, discipline)
      2. 2 Tim. 3.16 “instruction in righteousness.” (NASU, training)
      3. Titus 2.12 (verb) “teaching us that denying ungodliness.”
      4. Heb. 12.9, 10 (verb) “fathers corrected … chastened us.” (NASU, disciplined)
   4. Heb. 12.1–11, God’s definition of discipline.
      1. Teaching and wisdom imparted.
      2. Restricted course of action.
      3. Temporary adversity.
      4. Self-control.
      5. Benefit-driven.
      6. Benefits are reaped in perseverance.
2. Some Areas of Life in which Jesus Exemplified Self-Discipline
   1. Temptation to sin.
      1. Matt. 4.1–11, when tempted in the wilderness.
      2. Heb. 4.15, when tempted in all points, or in every respect, as us.
      3. 1 Pet. 2.21–23, when tempted to seek revenge or to revile in return.
   2. Obedience to God.
      1. John 5.30, in seeking to do the will of God.
      2. Mark 14.36, “not as I will, but as you will.”
      3. Heb 5.8, even to the point of suffering and losing his life (cf. Rev. 2.10).
   3. Serving others.
      1. John 13.1–20, it being a servant to others.
      2. Phil. 2.5–8, in giving up everything for the benefit of others.
      3. 1 John 3.16, in giving our life to help/save others.
3. How Jesus and We Develop Discipline
   1. Thoughts lead to actions.
      1. Mark 7.18–23, from within, from the hear proceed actions.
      2. Eph. 4.17–24, darkened in understanding, ignorant, hardness of heart lead Gentiles to practice every kind of impurity.
      3. Rom.12.1, 2, serving God begins with renewing the mind (Col. 3.1–4; Phil. 4.8, 9).
      4. Matt. 26.36–44, example of Jesus giving thought/prayer to actions.
   2. Actions lead to habits.
      1. Ps. 1.1, notice progression of walks (thoughts), stands (actions), sits (habits).
      2. Eph. 4.19; 1 Tim. 4.2, callous, seared conscience result of darkened understanding.
      3. Bad actions lead to bad habits; good actions lead to good habits.
   3. Habits lead to character.
      1. Developing character
         1. Eccles. 7.1; Prov. 22.1, a good name comes from a good character.
         2. Eccles. 10.1, even a little folly forms negative image of character.
      2. What kind of character do you have?/li>
   4. Character leads to destiny, 2 Pet. 1.5–11.

Conclusion:

1. 1 Pet. 2.18–25, Jesus Christ is our perfect example of discipline.
2. Let us discipline our thoughts, actions, habits and character so as to be a disciplined disciple of Jesus Christ.

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[1] Various forms of the noun paideia are used 6x in Eph. 6.4; 2 Tim. 3.16; Heb. 12.5, 7, 8, 11; various forms of the verb paideuō are used 13x in Luke 23.16, 22; Acts 7.22; 22.3; 1 Cor. 11.32; 2 Cor. 6.9; 1 Tim. 1.20; 2 Tim. 2.25; Titus 2.12; Heb. 12.6, 7, 10; Rev. 3.19