Spiritual Disciplines Devotional: A Year of Readings (Paperback)

by Valerie E. Hess (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Have you been longing to learn more about spiritual disciplines but haven't known where to start? Through brief daily readings and simple ideas on spiritual practices, this book will introduce you to the core disciplines of the Christian faith. Rather than being another burden to an already full schedule, practicing spiritual disciplines leads to the joyful, rich life God has created for us.

We are not trying to earn our way into God's favour, but rather we are trying to develop habits that will make us better at living the life Jesus has invited each of us into. Holy habits.

Each month, the focus will be on one of the twelve core disciplines of the Christian life. This will allow you to soak in the rich principles behind each practice in a brief daily format. Within each discipline, there are readings for five days of the week, providing "built in grace" should you need a day off. Each session contains a Bible verse and a short teaching on the discipline. With the introduction to each discipline there is an array of practical application ideas that you can incoporate into your week. As a bonus, there are optional ideas that families can use to help their children begin to understand and practice thediscipline as well.

By devoting just ten minutes a day to reading and practice, you can set yourself on a journey full of lifetime riches. Make this the year you discover the disciplines and create holy habits in your walk with God.

Market/Audience

• Devotional readers
• People interested in spiritual formation
• Parents

Features and Benefits

• Brief daily readings take you through 12 core disciplines in a year's time
• Five entries a week make completing the book a manageable goal
• Bonus family activities help you experience the disciplines with your children

Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (June 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830835032
• ISBN-13: 978-0830835034
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #586,933 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Devotional, December 28, 2007

By	Chua Teck Luck "Debby" (Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just bought this devotional yesterday from SKS in Singapore. Was actually out looking for a devotional to use for 2008 so that I could be encouraged to spend time with the Lord daily. Was actually torn between two devotionals 'Closer Walk' and this devotional. In the end, I bought both devotionals. Have actually read the devotionals for the first month and I find that it's good especially for one who wants to learn more about Spiritual Disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines is something that is not really talked about in our modern day context because to most it is not appealing and or insiginficant. Personally, I love the write-ups on each discipline introducing the various disciplines to us before the devotional proper. I also like some of the illustrations given in the devotional. Only thing that disappointed me was the fact that it is a 5 day devotional and not a 7 day devotional but I think there is a good balance because the author wants us to spend the remaining two days in the week to practice the discipline before moving on to the subsequent week's devotional. No point reading or going through a devotional such as this without a chance to practice what we have learnt. That is essentially what Spiritual Disciplines is all about - Practicing and eventually letting it become a part of our lives. I can see that if it were a 7 day devotional, none of us would find the time to practice the various disciplines and everything will come to zero at the end of studying this devotional because Spiritual Disciplines is not something acquired by reading or studying but by practicing and letting it become a part of our very being.

Certainly a good devotional for Christians who want to progress beyond mere uplifting and encouraging devotionals to something we can acquire and make it a part of our Christian living so that we will become true disciples of Christ.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...A great book for small group..., October 10, 2007

By	Rosalie Nelson (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Our small group is using this for our weekly meetings; we all read the individual 5-day devotionals, making notes on what seemed most crucial to each of us; we also each choose a 'practice' from the selections given at the beginning of each discipline. This has worked quite well for us, helped us focus more on a particular discipline ( we've also divided into accountability partners with one other member of the group.)

I strongly recommend this devotional for personal or group use; the author has some new and interesting insights.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Devotional, July 22, 2007

By	Kimmy Kay (East Moline IL) - See all my reviews

This devotional not only gives you uplifting reading for everyday, but combines different spiritual disciplines into monthly readings for each discipline. It is great for personal use, or would be great for a small group to use to learn and discuss spiritual disciplines and ways to incorperate them into daily life. It gives ideas for teaching the disciplines to children and is a great resource for every home!