Introductory Note:
This selective, topical index is designed to help readers get a picture of the with-God life presented in the Bible and the role of the Spiritual Disciplines in fostering that kind of life toward its fullness. The passages listed either contain a specific reference to a topic serving as a discipline (e.g., the word “meditation”) or are about that topic without using the specific term. Because this index is selective, it does not list every passage in the Bible on each topic, and the entries are restricted to the topic’s role as a Spiritual Discipline. Some of the entries are negative examples of the practice of a particular discipline.
The list of disciplines chosen for this index also does not include every practice or situation that could actually serve as a discipline in the process of spiritual formation. The disciplines under consideration here include celebration, chastity, confession, fasting, fellowship, guidance, meditation, prayer, sacrifice, secrecy, service, silence, simplicity/frugality, solitude, study, submission, and worship. Since the central focus of Christian spiritual formation is the with-God life, that topic begins the index. It is followed by sections containing scriptural references for the various disciplines, in alphabetical order. Those references for which there are spiritual formation exercises are designated by an asterisk.
No doubt some passages may have been omitted that might be very useful for understanding spiritual formation. What is given here is intended to provide only a substantial introduction to the presence and importance of Spiritual Disciplines in the Bible. For further study on disciplines and how they are to be practiced, please see Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, and Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines.
We are releasing this Bible in two editions—with and without the Deuterocanonial Books. (See the Foreword for a general statement.) In the Spiritual Disciplines Index, you will see some references to passages in the Deuterocanonial Books. These references will be in italics to differentiate their status from the New and the Old Testaments.
Renovaré Team
Excerpt from Life with God Spiritual Formation Bible
SECRECY: Consciously refraining from having our good deeds and qualities generally known, which, in turn, rightly disciplines our longing for recognition.
*Ps 51:6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
*Ps 91:1 You … live in the shelter of the Most High, … abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Isa 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
*Ezek 16:15 You … lavished your whorings on any passer-by.
Sir 42:18 He searches out the abyss and the human heart; he understands their innermost secrets. For the Most High knows all that may be known; he sees from of old the things that are to come.
Matt 6:4 [May] your alms … be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:6 Whenever 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.
Matt 6:18 [May] your fasting … be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matt 10:26 Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.
*Mark 4:22 There is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.
Luke 8:10 To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God.
Rom 2:16 According to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.
Excerpted from the Life with God Bible (New Revised Standard Version), with special thanks to HarperOne and to the late Dallas Willard who compiled the Index.
