Spiritual Disciplines within the Church: Participating Fully in the Body of Christ [Paperback]

Donald S. S. Whitney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1996

'You're worth it.' 'You deserve a break today.' 'Do something nice for yourself.' Commonly heard phrases in this society are committed to self-gratification and individual rights. Doing things for other people is a waste of precious time, and asking for help is weak. So how do we build the church described in the Scriptures' In this day and age, how can we be a genuine community based on self-sacrifice and mutual commitment' In Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, seminary professor, author, and former pastor Don Whitney shows us how to build a sense of community and be active participants instead of passive attendees. Whitney looks at such frequently asked questions as: Why can't I get by on my own' Why should I go to church' Why should I give of myself to the church' Why do I need to worship in church' Couldn't I just worship in nature' Why does it matter whether I become a member of the church'Committed love must mark the local expression of the body of Christ. By putting spiritual disciplines into practice in the church, congregations can return to the depth of community present in the New Testament church, where they 'devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (September 10, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802477461
• ISBN-13: 978-0802477460
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Corporate Spirituality, March 5, 2005

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Disciplines within the Church: Participating Fully in the Body of Christ (Paperback)

This is a solid book on corporate spirituality, exploring the dynamics of spiritual formation in the church through disciplines such as serving, giving, praying, attending ordinances, hearing the preached word, learning, fellowshipping, etc. Some chapters are better than others (the best chapters are the ones on worship and prayer and the final chapter which gives guidance on how to research a church before joining it), but all are worth reading. The book is sprinkled with some helpful illustrations and great quotations from the Puritan/Reformed tradition. This is a good follow-up to Whitney's more popular book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for Sunday School or Bible Study!, June 17, 2000

By 

kelly K. Burch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Disciplines within the Church: Participating Fully in the Body of Christ (Paperback)

This is an ideal book for pastors and leaders who are looking for a resource for a new believer's or new member's study at a church. Dr. Whitney continues to challenge and equip biblically. If you have read Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life you will enjoy this work as well.