Book Review - Disciplines of a Godly Man

Another book that has shaped my way of thinking--especially on the subject of discipline.

Title: Disciplines of a Godly Man
Author: Kent Hughes
Publisher: Crossway
Pages: 304

I know 304 pages might sound intimidating to some of you but I have some good news: It's not actually 304 pages. That is, the content of the actual book isn't. Over 85 pages of the book are bonus materials (resources, testimonies, and cited sources, questions). Really, this book isn't all that intimidating by size.

So who's Kent Hughes? Well, he was the Senior Pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois for 27 years. I say 'was' because he retired from the role near the end of 2006. Not only was he pastor, but a proficient author at the same time. He has written seven books himself, while also being a major contributor to the Preaching the Word Series project. He was truly disciplined in his life to accomplish so much. He shares the insights about discipline, that he found in Scripture, in this wonderful book.

So, he begins the book with a little introduction about discipline. 'Why discipline' we ask? For this: "train yourself to be godly" (1 Timothy 4:7). Read any book about the subject of discipline and one of it's central points is simply that: discipline and godliness go hand in hand. Without discipline, godliness is not there. And before continuing to explain many disciplines in detail, he spends a page or two talking about the difference between legalism (many fear discipline because of it) and discipline. Here's what he says,

The difference is one of motivation: legalism is self-centered; discipline is God-centered. The legalistic heart says, "I will do this thing to gain merit with God." The disciplined heart says, "I will do this thing because I love God and want to please Him." There is an infinite difference between the motivation of legalism and discipline!

Hughes then gives about 10-12 pages on each of the seventeen disciplines he talks about:

1. Purity
2. Marriage
3. Fatherhood
4. Friendship
5. Mind
6. Devotion
7. Prayer
8. Worship
9. Integrity
10. Tongue
11. Work
12. Perseverance
13. Church
14. Leadership
15. Giving
16. Witness
17. Ministry

Constantly leaning on statistics and Scripture, Hughes clearly cuts to the point: men need to be disciplined. In all aspects, to be godly. He calls for some spiritual sweat. 

It is amazing to find out that women are so much more disciplined that men. At least, that's what the statistics show right now in the 21st century (read to find more details). Like a mentor, Kent Hughes gently probes you with questions; testing you. This is the most personal book--maybe tied with C.J. Mahaney's books--that I've ever read. 

For the sake of not revealing too much about the book, I will say this: for the 17 disciplines, Hughes clearly demonstrates the purpose for each; the blessings of each; and the practicality of each. This isn't a theoretical book that leaves you scratching your head not knowing what to do afterwards. This book calls you to action. This is one of the reasons I recommend this book. Any guy who has sight to see, should read this book. Get it at your local bookstore or at Amazon. And as Hughes says, 

No discipline,no discipleship! No sweat, no sainthood! No perspiration, no inspiration! No pain, no gain! No manliness, no maturity!