Men in Pursuit of a Godly Vision

October, 2006

by: Walt Bertelsen

Discipline with direction is not drudgery

Remember the poster: three binoculared men intently fixed upon the same object. In the lenses of the binoculars, you see a cross. The message is simple. They are pursuing what God has for them (holiness).

Seminary professors often get a bum rap for being so theologically complex and obtuse that it requires a preacher to translate their teaching into practical, everyday laymen’s terms. Dr. Don Whitney, of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, requires no such mediator. Don Whitney spoke plainly to our Calvary men about three essentials—things that men in search of a godly vision need to be doing if they are to grow as followers of Christ and leaders in their homes. The three essentials: practicing the spiritual disciplines, growing in wisdom through life-long learning, and leading family worship.

Practicing spiritual disciplines: its importance

Don Whitney pointed out that there are three ways that God changes a man: through circumstances, through people, and through the disciplines—practiced by us but empowered by His Spirit, (not “sola bootstrap”). As with Zaccheus, we are to place ourselves in Jesus’ path, not expecting Him to take a dirt road to us! All of us know we’re supposed to practice the spiritual disciples (e.g., regular and systematic intake of the Word, prayer, meditation, etc.). All of us know it’s difficult to be successful and consistent in doing them, and many are discouraged as a result. What Don Whitney taught us goes far toward helping us to become successful in following Christ. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to be pursuing holiness. God has predestined us to Christlikeness. This is the end for which the discipline that Paul told Timothy to follow (1 Tim 4:7) is directed. Remember, as Don Whitney said, that “discipline without direction is drudgery.” Practicing discipline is a means to the goal of godliness. The Pharisees had this confused. They “practiced” many of these disciplines—but they pursued them as ends in themselves, and the result was disastrous.

We must each want the prize if we are to become successful in these disciplines: we must want that prize more than we don’t want the practice. That is, we need to want the Christlikeness, and Him who is the prize (“if by any means I might attain….”). Quoting theologian Coach Tom Landry, Don pointed out that God will “make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to become what they really want to become.”

Life-long learning

Not only is discipleship about the intentional following of Christ—it is about learning from Him, as well. Don Whitney pointed out that we all recognize the importance of spiritual truth being in the heart; it must be in the head first. We need a burning heart, that’s true, but not one kindled by a brainless head. Says the proverb: “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out” (Pr 18:15). Many don’t associate love with learning, but this is precisely what the command says, (love God with all the mind, and be transformed by its renewing). Learning is necessary for growth. Of the many ways to learn, reading stands out, yet many do not read, or believe that they can’t read well. “Can you read one page a day?” Don asks. If you can, then, in a year, you will have read the equivalent of two average books. Most college grads do not even read one a year!

Leading family worship

The lack of men leading their families in worship is pandemic (it’s everywhere). But our God deserves to be worshipped daily in our homes. A big reason they don’t do this: they have not been explicitly taught how. Men are expected to do it, and feel guilty about not doing it, Yet Deut. 6 commands men to teach their children diligently. Don Whitney’s three guidelines are: brevity, regularity, flexibility. Every man who attended the conference received Don’s recently published little book on leading family worship. Read it.

Pray for the men of Calvary!