Get in the Habit of Spiritual Disciplines and Practices

John 15 Verses 6 to 10, Hebrews 12 Verse 10 Get in the Habit of Spiritual Disciplines and Practices September 30, 2025 Lesson 9 in Making Disciples Series Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

Hebrews 10:19–25 (NASB95) A New and Living Way

19     Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

20     by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21     and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22     let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23     Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

24     and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

25     not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 12:7–12 (NASB95)

   7     It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

   8     But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

   9     Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

10     For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

11     All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

12     Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,

Main Idea:

· Spiritual habits (disciplines and practices) are essential for personal growth and development.

Study Aim:

· To understand the purpose and power of spiritual habits (disciplines) for spiritual growth and development of a Jesus follower.

Create Interest:

· The teaching focuses on how spiritual disciplines are essential for a fruitful Christian life. It illustrates that these practices are not burdensome, but rather, they are avenues through which we experience deeper communion with Christ and cultivate His love in our lives.

Lesson in Historical Context:

· The text turns toward preparing Jesus’ disciples for their own public ministry. With the camera still securely on Jesus, the narrator begins to include his interaction with his disciples that plants the seed for their own works. Jesus eats supper with his followers and washes their feet as a sign of the service they are to render to others. The disciple Jesus loves enters the story, and the betrayer makes his next move. With the hour at hand, Jesus encourages his disciples, teaching them that he will continue to work on their behalf from his Father’s house through the Helper. Jesus teaches his disciples that although the world may hate them, they are to love one another and show the world the greater love of the Father.[1]

Bible Study:

John 15:6–11 (NASB95) Recognize the Risk

   6     “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

· Consider the importance of intentional connection with Christ to avoid spiritual barrenness, focusing on the necessity of daily practices like prayer and scripture reading to remain attached to the vine.

· What is abiding in Christ? The secret of the life of Jesus was his contact with God; again and again he withdrew into a solitary place to meet him. We must keep contact with Jesus. We cannot do that unless we deliberately take steps to do it. To take but one example—to pray in the morning, if it be for only a few moments, is to have an antiseptic for the whole day; for we cannot come out of the presence of Christ to touch the evil things. For some few of us, abiding in Christ will be a mystical experience which is beyond words to express. For most of us, it will mean constant contact with him. It will mean arranging life, arranging prayer, arranging silence in such a way that there is never a day when we give ourselves a chance to forget him[2]

· As theologian J.C. Ryle explains, to abide in Christ means “to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him,” which involves “leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him” and making His words the “guide of our actions, and the rule of our daily conduct”1. Importantly, while true faith in Jesus provides immediate salvation, the validity of that faith is proven through continued abiding—making this a condition of genuine discipleship1. Practically, this means abiding in God’s Word, keeping Jesus’ commands, and allowing this union to transform one’s heart and life—ultimately glorifying the Father through a radically changed existence2.

1 Richard D. Phillips, John, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014), 292, 539.

2Eugene E. Carpenter and Philip W. Comfort, in Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew Words Defined and Explained (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 219.

· Like a branch that is thrown away: What was stated in v. 2 as a metaphor (“He cuts off every branch in me”) appears here in the form of a simile. The description in v. 6b of the gathering and burning of the dried-up branches is not a theological statement but is drawn from observation of everyday life.

o Does this mean that if we don’t abide in Jesus, we’ll be lopped off and cast into the fire? If we don’t abide in Him, the fruit-bearing part of our life will indeed burn—but not our position because our salvation was secured by what Jesus did on the Cross. The wood of a vine is so soft it is useless to build with, so here, Jesus is saying, “If your life is not bearing fruit, it’s good for nothing but kindling.” It’s an interesting analogy because that’s what life is all about. We’re either bearing fruit, or we’re just burning up the clock.[3]

o Judas was a “fruitless branch” because he had no life-giving connection with Jesus in the first place. His exclusion simply made visible (to the beloved disciple at least) what was already the case in his heart.[4]

Thought to soak on :

· In John 15:1-5, Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and us as the branches. For a branch to thrive, it must be connected to the vine. Just as a grapevine needs pruning and care, our spiritual lives require disciplines like prayer, fasting, and studying Scripture.

o When we actively engage in these practices, we remain connected to Jesus, allowing His life to flow through us. This connection leads not just to surviving in our faith but to thriving with joy and purpose.

John 15:7 (NASB95)   Wanting God’s will for your life…come what may..

   7     “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

· Abiding transforms our desires to align with God's will, making our prayers more effective. The practice of aligning one's thoughts and heart with Jesus through meditative prayer is ensuring that requests reflect the priorities of the Kingdom.

· How can we tell when we are “abiding in Christ”? Is there a special feeling? No, but there are special evidences that appear and they are unmistakably clear. For one thing, when you are abiding in Christ, you produce fruit (John 15:2). What that “fruit” is, we will discuss later. Also, you experience the Father’s “pruning” so that you will bear more fruit (John 15:2). The believer who is abiding in Christ has his prayers answered (John 15:7) (Answers of yes/no/wait) and experiences a deepening love for Christ and for other believers (John 15:9, 12–13). He also experiences joy(John 15:11).

· This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine, but it must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic.Abiding in Christ demands worship,meditation on God’s Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service—but what a joyful experience it is! Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian.[5]

John 15:8 (NASB95) Reflect God’s Glory

   8     “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

· The fruit of our spiritual life, like love and kindness,testify to the world of God's goodness and lead others to Him.   Check out the following fruits!

o  Galatians 5:22–23 (NASB95) Fruit of the Spirit                   

     22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,                        

     23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

· The purpose of bearing fruit is multifaceted and deeply significant for Christian discipleship. Our ultimate goal is to glorify God, and Jesus specifically states that God is glorified as we produce fruit, which simultaneously proves our discipleship1.

· Through fruit-bearing, several key goals are achieved:

o God is glorified,

o Discipleship is verified,

o Joy is realized,

o Prayers are authorized2.

§ The term “glorified” means to be “praised,” “magnified,” or “honored” – essentially lifting up the Father so He is acknowledged as the sovereign God3.

· Spiritually, fruit is understood as the “overflow of God” – when divine life flows through believers, spiritual fruit naturally results1. Importantly, this isn’t about competitive measurement, but about doing our best to please God and bring Him glory, continually striving to do more in service to Him3. “Fruit-bearing” ultimately serves as a demonstration that we are true learners devoted to Christ, obeying His instructions and living like Him – with the understanding that those who profess belief but do not reflect Christ raise serious questions about their discipleship3.

1Dave Earley, “Measured by Spiritual Fruit,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 14–15.

2Stephen F. Olford, The Secret of Soul-Winning (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 131.

3Ronald K. Brown, Bible Studies for Life, Spring 2016, Herschel Hobbs Commentary (LifeWay Christian Resources, 2016), 65–66.

Thought to Soak on :

· God Is Glorified When We Bear Fruit for Him.The believer’s greatest desire is to bring glory to the Father. How is that accomplished? That is the focus of verse 8. In the words herein is my Father glorified, hereincan be rendered “by this” (NASB, HCSB, ESV). Glorified comes from a word meaning “praised,” “magnified,” or “honored.” It is to lift up the Father so He is made known and acknowledged as sovereign God. Jesus’ reference to the Father as my Father suggests this was a major concern to Jesus, the Son. That becomes a reason why followers of Jesus desire to bring glory to the Father: it matters to Jesus, and it was the focus of His own life (17:4).[6]

John 15:9-10 (NASB95)  Remain in Love in Obedience to Him

9  “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

          10  “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

· Abiding in Christ's love calls us to portray our relationship to Him as a dynamic relationship fueled by obedience and trust. Spiritual disciplines deepen this relationship, allowing believers to experience Christ’s love more fully.We are encouraged to embrace practices such as fasting and solitudeto cultivate this abiding love.

· Jesus constantly emphasized that the disciples needed to ‘remain’ in him if they were to have spiritual life, in the same way that a vine branch must remain in intimate, vital, organic connection with the trunk of the vine if it is to live and flourish.

· Vs. 9:  We need to grasp that the main characters involved are God the Father, God the Son and the disciples, and, secondly, that the unifying themes are those of love and obedience.

o The Father loves the Son—‘As the Father has loved me …’ (v. 9).

o The Son loves the disciples—‘… so have I loved you’ (v. 9).

o The disciples are called upon to love one another—

o ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you’ (v. 12);

o ‘This is my command: Love each other’ (v. 17).

· The disciples are to obey the Son—‘If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love …’ (v. 10).

· The Son obeys the Father—‘… just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love’ (v. 10).

o By extending this imagery of organic, circulatory life we can see that love flows from the Father through the Son to us; and that obedience flows back from us to the Son, and through the Son to the Father. Or, to put it another way, the essential lifeblood that all true Christians share with Jesus is love and obedience.

o If there’s no love for other believers, there’s no life. If there’s no obedience to the commands of Christ, there’s no life. The two go together. They are as vitally and organically essential as arteries and veins.

· These verses reveal the true nature of the obedience and love that should characterize every true believer.

· Vs. 10:  The standard for Christian obedience is nothing more than Christ’s obedience to God the Father. We should obey the commands of Jesus with the same absolute commitment that he showed towards his Father’s commands.

o The Christian life is not one in which you can exercise a consumer’s choice, picking the parts that you find acceptable or pleasing and disregarding those that don’t fit in with your lifestyle.

§ Absolute obedience to Christ should be as basic to the spiritual life as blood is to the physical life.[7]

Thoughts to Soak on. 

· As we have seen, our Lord wants us to be fruitful as disciples. In whatever way you interpret the specific words fruit or bear fruit in John 15:2, this teaching of our Lord is vital to a clear understanding of His work in and through our lives. It is certainly true that the Lord wants us to be fruitful disciples, and we would add fruitful soul-winners. For, ultimately, a fruitful disciple will be a fruitful soul-winner. (See the Witnessing file gift attached)

· We need to leave the results in God’s hands because salvation is His work. Our job is to allow the Lord to do His work through us. Because the Lord is at work in and through us, we can be confident that His priority for our lives is fruit and fruitfulness.

o This is why we were chosen by Jesus, and this is what the Father is working to produce.[8]

· In Decision magazine, November 2025, Jack Hibbs wrote an article “The Real Battle for America”. The following are noted salient points for your application to your life. (The entire article is worthy of your time)

o “The real battle for America isn’t being fought in courtrooms or newsrooms; it’s being fought in the prayer closets of God’s people.

o “Christians are not called to be silent, nor are we called to be obnoxious.  We are called to speak the truth in love, with conviction, compassion, and tact.”

o “The call is clear: Pray fervently. Stand courageously.  And never forget that our hope isn’t found in a party, a policy or a politician.  Our hope is in Jesus Christ.  And when the church prays and stands, God move through us to bless those around us.”

John 15:11 (NASB95)  Rejoice in Joy that you are obedient to His teaching

11     “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

· Note that Jesus links obedience to the verses with joy, showing that spiritual disciplines are pathways to a joyful life. These practices are not just duties but delights that lead to the fullness of joy God intends for us. We as believers should view spiritual disciplines as avenues to deepen joy and intimacy with Christ.

· You can’t legislate for love; but God, through Jesus, can command you to love. Discovering the difference between what law cannot achieve and what God can and does achieve is one of the great arts of being human, and of being Christian.In the present passage we are brought in on the secret of it all.

· Jesus, though, issues the command that we are to love one another, and so to remain in his love, because he has acted out, and will act out, the greatest thing that love can do. He has come to make us more human, not less. He has come to give us freedom and joy (verse 11), not slavery and a semi-human stupor. He has come so that we can bear fruit that will last (verse 16), whether in terms of a single life changed because we loved somebody as Jesus loved and loves us, or in terms of a single decision that we had to take, a single task we had to perform, through which, though we couldn’t see it at the time, the world became a different place. Love makes both the lover and the beloved more truly human.[9]

· Believers can experience Jesus’ joy by remaining deeply connected to Him, understanding that His joy is not dependent on external circumstances but rooted in a profound spiritual connection. Jesus identifies Himself as the Vine, and when we remain connected to Christ, we’ll experience overflowing joy. By drawing vitality from Him, our lives will bless others and produce much fruit.1

· “The secret is revealed in the words of Christ: ‘That My joy might remain in you,’” which means experiencing Christ’s joy is about internal transformation rather than temporary happiness. When our joy cup is full, it will be exuberant and satisfying. Someone filled with Christ’s joy will not need to seek happiness in worldly pursuits and will have no room for transient vanities.2 In our cynical world, genuine joy is impossible apart from Jesus Christ. Even during difficult times, Christ continues to pump His life into us. We cannot manufacture joy independently—just as a branch cannot grow when disconnected from its life source.1

o Additional biblical passages that illuminate this theme include:

§ Romans 15:13 speaks of God filling believers with “all joy and peace in believing”

§ Galatians 5:22 identifies joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit

§ Psalm 16:11 declares that “In Your presence is fullness of joy”

1Kim Newlen, The One Year Sweet and Simple Moments with God Devotional (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2013). [See here, here.]

2R. E. Neighbour, Sermons and Bible Studies (WORDsearch, 2000), 213.

The following is a change in looking at disciplines…and, in my mind is foundational to the development of “disciplines” as is our lesson’s focus.  Without God’s loving discipline helping us grow more like Christ, the “disciplines” would not be meaningful.   Let’s take a quick look and apply it to our main focus as you soak on this lesson.

Hebrews 12:7–8 (NASB95)  Embrace the Identity as Sons or Daughters.

   7     It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

   8     But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

· Enduring discipline is a mark of true sonship with God. Unlike illegitimate children, those who experience God's corrective training are acknowledged as His beloved children. This perspective can shift how we view trials—not as punitive, but as proof of our relationship with God. Remembering our identity in Christ, who was the Son enduring suffering on our behalf, can provide comfort and encouragement to embrace God's discipline.

Hebrews 12:9–10 (NASB95) Embrace the Path to Holiness

          9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

          10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

· What is the purpose of God’s discipline in verses 9-10?

o God’s discipline serves a profound and transformative purpose in the life of a believer. The ultimate goal is for believers to “share his holiness,” which is equivalent to being “conformed to the likeness of Christ”1.

o By His very nature as a loving Father, God introduces discipline into our lives to help us, with the deep longing that we might share in his holiness. Adversity can actually help us enter more fully into our relationship with God, deepening our understanding of our indebtedness to Him, our partnership with Christ, and our reliance on the Holy Spirit2.

· God disciplines His children for multiple interconnected reasons, including:

o Causing us to be more careful in our walk with God

o Weaning us off worldly seductions

o Establishing us more firmly in obedience

o Creating a deeper dependence on God’s promises

o Proving the sufficiency of divine grace

o Stirring up our affections for Jesus

· Developing Christlikeness:3Importantly, discipline is a sign of God’s love and active involvement in our lives, though we might not always recognize it as such. When challenged by circumstances, we might struggle against events meant to shape us for holiness and eternity4. While discipline is painful in the moment, believers are encouraged to consider its ultimate usefulness—that it will “yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness” and ensure we have not suffered in vain2.

1Henry Blackaby et al., How Great Is Our God: Timeless Daily Readings on the Nature of God (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014). [See here.]

2Raymond Brown, The Message of Hebrews: Christ above All, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 235.

3Richard Brooks, The Name High over All: A Commentary on Hebrews, Welwyn Commentary Series (Welwyn Garden City, UK: EP, 2016), 397–398.

4John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012). [See here.]

Hebrews 12:11 (NASB95) Embrace the Fruit of Righteousness

11     All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

· Discipline itself is not meant to be pleasant. If it were pleasant, it would have little corrective power. By its very nature, discipline is unpleasant to administer and to endure. Medicine, surgery, physical therapy, and other such treatments that we willingly endure are very often painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. We endure them for the sake of the end result—better health.

· How much more should we be willing to endure the Lord’s treatment of our spiritual needs, which afterwards … yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness? We should consider our troubles as spiritual treatment, which builds our character and our faith, our love and our righteousness. It will never look like it from the natural perspective, but from the perspective of faith, we see that discipline is one of God’s richest and most rewarding blessings on His children.[10]

A thought about spiritual discipline from the Book of Job

· The story of Job in the Old Testament illustrates the profound effects of God’s discipline. Job faced immense suffering, yet through his trials, he came to understand God more deeply. His experience reflects how we, too, resemble a lump of clay on the potter's wheel—undergoing pressure and shaping that leads to a beautiful vessel. God's discipline is not punishment, but a loving hand guiding us toward spiritual maturity.

In closing……………………………………………………………

· We have covered much in this lesson and barely touched on the aim of our study which was……………………..

o To understand the purpose and power of spiritual habits (disciplines) for spiritual growth and development of a Jesus follower.

· Going back to basics perhaps we should move away from ourselves and focus on what God has called us to do for Him until our last breath….all the rest will come when our attention is on His will. 

o The “Witnessing File”is something I put together to train WTBC Deacons in witnessing in 1985.   I pray you will find it helpful to share God’s love our world now at our doors steps…in our neighborhoods…you get the drift.

· I have this file reduced in size and it occupies the last two pages of my Bible cover pages.

· If you desire the file, please contact me and I will email it to you…though it is attached to the email you received today😊_

o [e-mail]

Blessings to you all and may you be filled with joy as you spread the love of Christ.

Every time you read these words in Scripture —all, always, or never —highlight them in your Bible. And remember, God never exaggerates!

[1]Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Jn 13:1–17:26.

[2]William Barclay, ed., The Gospel of John, vol. 2, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975), 176.

[3]Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 564–565.

[4]J. Ramsey Michaels, John, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 278.

[5]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 355.

[6]Ronald K. Brown, Bible Studies for Life, Spring 2016, Herschel Hobbs Commentary (LifeWay Christian Resources, 2016), 65.

[7]Andrew Paterson, Opening Up John’s Gospel, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2010), 130–132.

[8]Stephen F. Olford, The Secret of Soul-Winning(Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 131.

[9]Tom Wright, John for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 11-21(London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 73–74.

[10]John F. MacArthur Jr., Hebrews, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 397.