Scheduling Time for Spiritual Disciplines in Daily Life

Scheduling time for spiritual disciplines is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of discipline and intentional living. The apostle Paul writes in Titus 2:12, "Putting us under discipline—in order that, denying ourselves of ungodliness and worldly covetings, in a sober-minded and righteous and godly manner, we should live, in the present age" ^[1]. This discipline is not merely about following rules but about living a life that is guided by godly principles.

The Psalmist prays, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalms 90:12) ^[2]. This prayer underscores the importance of being mindful of the passage of time and using it wisely for spiritual growth. Numbering one's days involves being intentional about how time is spent, prioritizing activities that foster a deepening relationship with God.

One of the key spiritual disciplines is sobriety, or living a disciplined life. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights that sobriety is commanded in various biblical passages, including 1 Peter 1:13 and 5:8, and is essential for all saints ^[4]. Living soberly means being watchful and prayerful, as emphasized in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 1 Peter 4:7.

The discipline of meditation is also crucial. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 Timothy 4:15, meditation involves careful consideration of spiritual things, likening it to the digestion of spiritual food ^[7]. This process of meditation is essential for assimilating spiritual truths into one's life.

The biblical concept of discipline is not limited to personal effort but is also understood as a gift from God. The grace of God teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:12) ^[8]. This understanding of grace as a disciplining force is echoed in Hebrews 12:10-11, which contrasts earthly discipline with God's discipline, highlighting that God's discipline is for the believer's good and leads to a harvest of righteousness ^[5].

Incorporating spiritual disciplines into daily life requires a commitment to prioritizing time for these practices. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to be diligent and not spiritually dull, following the example of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12) ^[6]. This diligence involves being focused and committed to spiritual practices.

The uncertainty of life underscores the importance of making the most of the present time. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites several biblical passages that warn against procrastination, including Luke 9:59-62 and Psalm 119:60, emphasizing that the present is the accepted time for seeking God and glorifying Him ^[3]. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 also highlights the importance of timing, noting that there is a season for every activity under heaven ^[10].

Practically, scheduling time for spiritual disciplines involves redirecting emotions and activities toward the Lord. The Psalmist advises offering sacrifices in the right spirit, which involves redirecting emotions toward God and preventing excessive self-reflection (Psalms 4:5) ^[11]. John Gill's commentary on Psalms 90:12 suggests that numbering one's days involves understanding the brevity and uncertainty of life, leading to a wise use of time ^[9].

Sources

Titus “Titus 2:12 (Rotherham) — Putting us under discipline—in order that,—denying ourselves of ungodliness and worldly covetings, in a soberminded and righteous and godly manner, we should live, in the present age,”
Psalms “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. -- Psalms 90:12”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Procrastination — Condemned by Christ -- Lu 9:59-62. Saints avoid -- Ps 27:8; 119:60. To be avoided in Hearkening to God. -- Ps 95:7,8; Heb 3:7,8. Seeking God. -- Isa 55:6. Glorifying God. -- Jer 13:16. Keeping God's commandments. -- Ps 119:60. Making offerings to God. -- Ex 22:29. Performance of vows. -- De 23:21; Ec 5:4. Motives for avoiding The present the accepted time. -- 2Co 6:2. The present the best time. -- Ec 12:1. The uncertainty of life. -- Pr 27:1. Danger of illustrated -- Mt 5:25; Lu 13:25. Exemplified Lot. -- Ge 19:16. Felix. -- Ac 24:25.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sobriety — Commanded -- 1Pe 1:13; 5:8. The gospel designed to teach -- Tit 2:11,12. With watchfulness -- 1Th 5:6. With prayer -- 1Pe 4:7. Required in Ministers. -- 1Ti 3:2,3; Tit 1:8. Wives of ministers. -- 1Ti 3:11. Aged men. -- Tit 2:2. Young men. -- Tit 2:6. Young women. -- Tit 2:4. All saints. -- 1Th 5:6,8. Women should exhibit, in dress -- 1Ti 2:9. We should estimate our character and talents with -- Ro 12:3. We should live in -- Tit 2:12. Motives to -- 1Pe 4:7; 5:8.”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:10: 12:10-11 There are at least two limitations on an earthly father’s discipline. First, his discipline, or education, is only for a few years (literally for a few days)—children eventually leave home. Second, earthly fathers were doing the best they knew how from their limited perspectives. By contrast, God’s discipline lasts throughout life and is always good for us, based on his limitless knowledge and love. His goal is that we might share in his holiness. Although it is painful, discipline brings about a peaceful harvest of right living. It brings God’s childre”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:12: 6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By loving God and others, we follow the example of great people of the faith. The author puts a great deal of emphasis on both faith and endurance as normal requirements for God’s people (see 11:4-38).”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 90:12: So teach us to number our days,.... Not merely to count them, how many they are, in an arithmetical way; there is no need of divine teachings for that; some few instructions from an arithmetician, and a moderate skill in arithmetic, will enable persons not only to count the years of their lives, but even how many days they have lived: nor is this to be understood of calculating or reckoning of time to come; no man can count the number of days he has to live; the number of his days, months, and years, is with the Lord; but is hid from him: the living know they shall d”
Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 3:1: 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven: Wisdom recognizes that everything has its own season—in human activities as in the realm of nature (see 1:3-7). A wise person will determine the appropriate time to pursue any activity (8:5). The opportunity is fleeting (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5).”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:5: 4:5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit: Redirecting emotions toward the Lord prevents a godly individual from doing too much self-reflection (40:6-8; 51:17).”

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