Discipline

Have structure.

Definition: Discipline is the orderly pattern of behavior.

Joshua was instructed by God to “be careful” to do all that He commanded them to do. The word careful in Hebrew is shamar.

Shamar —> to keep, watch, preserve

There is intentionality required of Joshua to keep God’s words, watch over God’s words and preserve God’s words.

• Keeping requires the discipline to hold onto and not let go.
• Watching requires time and attention to keep it in front of him.
• Preserving requires protection and nourishment.

Discipline was required of Joshua to fulfill what God had asked him to do. Discipline is a requirement for us as men to go from being unstructured boys to disciplined men. While boys are the ones who are watched over, protected, and preserved, men are called to be the ones who watch over, protect, and preserve. Men are designed to be leaders of discipline.

What's At Stake?

To have no discipline is to have no structure. Without structure, we will get little to nothing done. To have no discipline is to have no desire to do anything. With structure, we will be able to accomplish more than we could imagine.

Results of Discipline

Prize (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Security (Proverbs 25:28)

Endurance (Romans 5:3-5)

Character (Romans 5:3-5)

Hope (Romans 5:3-5)

Perseverance (Romans 5:3-5)

Questions

Questions for God:

• What areas do I need to develop discipline?
• What blueprints do you have for me to build structure in “that” area?

Questions for others:

• On a scale of 1-10, what would you rate me when it comes to “being disciplined”?
• What areas in my life do you see me the most careless in?

Application

1. Develop a plan of discipline in the identified areas of need and share it with someone by tomorrow.
2. Evaluate after 30 days the progress of your discipline with someone else.

Prayer

• Lord, I ask You to expose any areas where I have not been disciplined. Thank You for giving me a spirit of self-control. Give me blueprints of discipline to steward. Amen.