Discipline is at the heart of discipleship.

Psst! It’s okay to read this. We aren’t talking about the “punishment” type of discipline. (We’ll sneak that in under a pleasant-sounding title.) The kind of discipline that we’re talking about today is a regular routine–a habit–a repeated action that produces a benefit.

Following God requires that you stay in spiritual shape. And you can stay spiritually fit only if you stay in training. Spiritual training requires a daily regime of studying God’s Word and spending quality time with Him in prayer.

Exercising only once a week won’t keep you physically fit. And you can’t really know God by going to church only once a week. If you are serious about knowing God and following Him, you will be serious about your spiritual fitness program.

All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1 Corinthians 9:25