Disciplines - Friendship Assembly

D I S C I P L I N E S

12 SKILLS THAT JESUS TAUGHT US TO DEVELOP

HUMILITY

COMPASSION

FORGIVENESS

PEACEFULNESS

INTEGRITY

GENEROSITY

NON-RETALIATION

LOVING ENEMIES

PRAYERFULNESS

TRUSTING PROVISION

JUDGEMENT AVOIDANCE

DISCERNMENT

Humility

Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The art of submitting to God above our circumstances allows for us to properly implement this powerful discipline. In heart, humility is about recognizing one’s dependence on God, following the example of Jesus, valuing others, avoiding pride, and living a life of courtesy and service. It is a skill that shapes one’s relationship with God and others, nurturing a spirit of love, grace, and selflessness

Compassion

Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

A necessity for anyone following Christ is the ability to exit one’s own experience and live life through another’s pain and perspective. From a Christian perspective compassion is a reflection of God’s love and mercy, demonstrated through Jesus’ life and teachings. It involves recognizing the suffering of others and responding with empathy, kindness, and actionable support. Christians are called to embody compassion, thereby reflecting God’s love and contributing to their spiritual growth and the well-being of their communities.

Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

God has modeled for every believer the importance of releasing the evil of others, and exchanging it for love and mercy. forgiveness is a reflection of God’s grace and mercy, essential for personal healing, spiritual growth, and relational harmony. It is taught and exemplified by Jesus, who emphasized the importance of forgiving others as a manifestation of God’s unconditional love. Forgiveness restores relationships, promotes peace, and aligns believers with the heart of God, who forgives freely and abundantly.

Peacefulness

Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Having a state of being full of peace was the Lord’s desire for us, but this is not an easy task. To master this skill we must fully lean into the full promise of Jesus to carry the entirety of peace He has left for us. Peacefulness is a state of inner tranquility that arises from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It involves trusting in God’s sovereignty, seeking reconciliation with others, and fostering an environment of peace. This peace is both a present reality and a future hope, rooted in the assurance of God’s eternal love and care.

Integrity

Matthew 5:37 – “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Our words are extremely important to the Lord, as they are a reflection of the heart. James informs us that no human being has been able to tame the tongue, but through Christ we are able to align our words with His ways. Integrity is a reflection of one’s commitment to living according to God’s truth and righteousness. It involves honesty, transparency, consistency, and a steadfast commitment to God’s moral principles in all aspects of life. Christians strive to emulate the integrity modeled by Jesus Christ, seeking to honor God and serve others with integrity in every circumstance.

Generosity

Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Where our treasure is, thats where our passion and heart will be. We marry value to our emotions and Jesus has taught us that you cannot serve God and money. In other words, money is an excellent servant, but a horrible master. We are called to use our finances as a servant to the Kingdom and find our treasure in the Kingdom of God and all that it is accomplishing. Generosity is a testimony of God’s love and provision, encouraged by biblical teachings and the example of Jesus’ sacrificial love. It involves giving selflessly to meet the needs of others, trusting in God’s continued provision, and investing in eternal treasures. Generosity cultivates spiritual growth, strengthens community bonds, and demonstrates God’s love in tangible ways.

Non-retaliation

Matthew 5:39 – “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Godly surrender and meekness is a hard line to tread, butshould be fully embraced to master the skill of non-retaliation. Non-retaliation is about responding to wrongdoing with love, forgiveness, and peace, following the teachings and example of Jesus. It involves trusting God with justice, extending grace to others, and seeking reconciliation over revenge. This practice reflects the transformative power of Christian love and promotes a more peaceful and just world.

Loving Enemies

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Loving your enemies from a Christian perspective means following Jesus’ command to show unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness even towards those who harm or oppose you. It reflects God’s love, seeks reconciliation and peace, demonstrates the transformative power of good over evil, and contributes to personal spiritual growth and inner peace. This radical love is a core aspect of living out the teachings of Jesus and embodying the Christian faith.

Prayerfulness

Matthew 6:6 – “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Trusting in God's Provision

Matthew 6:25-26 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Trusting God’s provision in Christianity means having faith in God’s promises and character, relying on His daily care, and finding peace in His sovereignty. It involves contentment, gratitude, and stepping out in faith, knowing that God, as a loving Father, will meet all needs according to His perfect wisdom and love.

Judgement Avoidance

Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

In Christianity, judgment avoidance is about refraining from passing judgment on others, recognizing God’s sole authority to judge. It involves humility, self-examination, compassion, and forgiveness. By avoiding judgment, Christians promote a spirit of unity and support within their communities, following the example and teachings of Jesus.

Discernment

Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Discernment is the process of seeking and recognizing God’s will in various aspects of life. It involves prayer, Scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and careful evaluation of moral and ethical choices. Discernment helps believers navigate life’s complexities, avoid deception, and make decisions that honor God, often with the support and counsel of the Christian community.