By Chuck E. Tate

The foundation of a strong Christian faith and life goes beyond having a Biblical worldview. It lies in developing and maintaining key spiritual disciplines. These habits not only draw us closer to God but also fortify our spiritual resilience and help us live out our faith in a meaningful way. While there are many important disciplines, here are five that are absolutely vital for strengthening our spiritual walk.

1. Bible Reading (The Word of God)

Engaging with the Bible is not only crucial for spiritual growth, it’s impossible to grow in our faith without it. The Word of God is our primary source of Truth and guidance. As Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."(NLT)

Regularly reading, meditating on, and even listening to Scripture (via Bible apps) helps us understand God's will and equips us for every aspect of life. It also strengthens our faith by reminding us of God's promises and His unwavering love for us. So, when it comes to the Word, read it, study it, memorize it, speak it, obey it, and live it!

2. Prayer

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It allows us to express our gratitude, seek guidance, and present our needs before Him. One of my favorite passages, Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand."(NLT) Consistent prayer cultivates a deeper relationship with God, bringing peace and clarity to our lives. Remember, prayer is more than just talking to God; it’s also listening. The most common way God speaks is through His Word, which is why reading the Bible and prayer go hand in hand.

3. Worship

Worship is so much more than just singing songs; it’s an expression of our love and reverence for God. In fact, the entire life of a believer is an act of worship. I like the way The Message translation lays out Romans 12:1: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” This involves honoring Christ with how we live our lives and recognizing His greatness in all we do. John 4:24 tells us, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.“(NLT) True worship is heartfelt and authentic, drawing us closer to God and aligning our hearts with His.

4. Church Attendance

Regularly attending church is vital for spiritual nourishment and growth. It provides an opportunity to learn from God’s Word, participate in corporate worship, and receive encouragement from fellow believers. Not only was it modeled by the early church in Acts, but Hebrews 10:25 also advises, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”(NLT) Church attendance helps us stay connected to the body of Christ and reinforces our faith.

5. Community and Fellowship with Other Believers

We were created for community! Building relationships with other Christians is essential for encouragement, mutual support, and accountability. Fellowship allows us to share our joys and burdens, pray for one another, and grow together in faith. Acts 2:42-47 beautifully illustrates this: "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." (NLT) Notice that the result of community was people getting saved! In addition, Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."(NLT) Being part of a faith community encourages us to live out our beliefs and provides a network of support during challenging times.

Incorporating these Christian disciplines into our daily lives strengthens our faith and equips us to navigate life’s challenges. Bible reading, prayer, worship, church attendance, and fellowship with other believers are essential habits that foster a deep and resilient spiritual life. By committing to these practices, we draw closer to God and experience the fullness of His grace and love. Let’s go… and grow!

Chuck E. Tate is a pastor in central Illinois, cohost of Revival Town Podcast, and the award-winning author of 41 Will Come. His second book will release in January 2025.

Tate is also a member of the Thinke writing team.