Introduction
Are you training for godliness with intention, or are you hoping spiritual growth will “just happen” while life with God feels like chaotic March Madness? Here’s the central truth I want you to take to heart: Godliness is not an accident; it is formed through being nourished by Scripture and practicing a life of disciplined, gospel-shaped training.
Many of us know what it’s like to feel lost in the spiritual journey, wondering how we get from point A to point Z. Paul doesn’t leave Timothy (or us) in the dark. In 1 Timothy 4:6–8, he gives a clear path: a healthy diet of truth and a trained life aimed at godliness.
Main Points
Are you training for godliness with intention, or are you hoping spiritual growth will “just happen” while life with God feels like chaotic March Madness? Here’s the central truth I want you to take to heart: Godliness is not an accident; it is formed through being nourished by Scripture and practicing a life of disciplined, gospel-shaped training.
Many of us know what it’s like to feel lost in the spiritual journey, wondering how we get from point A to point Z. Paul doesn’t leave Timothy (or us) in the dark. In 1 Timothy 4:6–8, he gives a clear path: a healthy diet of truth and a trained life aimed at godliness.
A Spiritual Journey Can Feel Chaotic
March Madness is fun because it’s unpredictable, upsets happen, brackets break, and it can feel like there’s “no rhyme or reason.” If we’re honest, spiritual growth can feel like that too: confusing, slow, and hard to measure.
But Scripture is not vague about how we grow. What’s often vague is our conversation and our intentionality. Paul steps in with clarity: growth in godliness has a pattern, nourishment and training.
Nourished by Words of Faith
Paul tells Timothy, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister [servant] of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine…” (1 Timothy 4:6).
If I want to be a “successful servant” of Jesus, I must start with what feeds the soul:
- I instruct myself and others in “these things”, for Timothy that meant Paul’s letter; for us it means the whole counsel of God in Scripture.
- My foundation cannot be feelings or preferences. God grows me through truth.
- The Word must be nourishing. Scripture is not a weapon to bludgeon wounded people. You may have experienced someone quoting “Do not be anxious” in a way that dismissed your pain rather than shepherding your heart. That’s not nourishment.
Paul’s vision is that God’s Word, handled rightly, strengthens faith, restores perspective, and brings life.
Healthy Doctrine That Produces Health
Paul calls it “good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6). Notice: good doesn’t only mean “technically correct.” It also means healthy, doctrine that leads to spiritual health in bodies, souls, relationships, and communities.
Here’s a discipling question I want to ask you (and I ask myself): Is my use of Scripture making people healthier in Christ, or heavier with shame, confusion, and fear?
Healthy doctrine:
- aligns with Jesus and the apostles,
- is applied in love,
- creates repentance and hope,
- leads toward maturity, not control.
Carefully Followed, Not Merely Taught
Paul adds, “which you have carefully followed” (1 Timothy 4:6). This is protection against hypocrisy.
It’s possible to teach true things and still drift into a double life. If I’m not obeying what I teach, I’m training myself in the wrong direction. So I don’t want you only to learn the Bible; I want you to follow it, imperfectly, yes, but sincerely and increasingly.
A simple way to practice this: when Scripture confronts you, don’t rush to explain it, respond to it. Ask, “What would obedience look like today?” Then take one concrete step.
Train Toward Godliness, Not Just Bodily Goals
Paul says, “Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things…” (1 Timothy 4:7–8).
Physical training has real value. The body is created by God and is good, though broken by sin and awaiting resurrection renewal. Caring for your body matters, but Paul’s point is comparison: godliness matters more, because it bears fruit both “for the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
So I want you to think like an athlete: diet + exercise. Spiritual growth is not wishful thinking; it’s training.
Six Practices That Form Godliness
These practices don’t earn salvation. They create space for God and help us turn from sin and grow into Christlikeness.
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Tell Your Story and Be Baptized Baptism is a public declaration that my story has intersected with God’s story. It’s the moment I say, “I died with Christ and I’m raised to new life.” I should be able to communicate what God has done and why I follow Jesus.
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Prayer and Bible These are simple, but not shallow. Prayer may be thanksgiving, intercession, quiet presence, Sabbath slowing-down, or praying with others. Bible intake can be long-form reading, slow meditation, daily devotions, or deep study. However the Spirit leads you, prayer and Scripture are foundational.
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A Diverse Discipleship Community We need more than a crowd on Sundays. Jesus had the twelve, and within them closer friends; the early church gathered in homes and also assembled for worship. I want you in a community where friendships form, sin is confessed, burdens are carried, and mission is shared, people from different backgrounds following Jesus together.
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A Life of Service Jesus came not to be served but to serve. A godly person becomes a serving person. That service may be inside the church (kids, youth, welcome teams, worship) or outside it (rescue missions, prison ministry, local compassion work). The form differs, but the mark is the same: my life is not centered on me.
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Generosity With Time and Resources The early church gave in at least three directions:
- to the poor (a consistent biblical priority; see Paul’s concern to remember the poor),
- to gospel mission and workers (as seen in the support of missionaries and those advancing the gospel),
- to local church needs and vulnerable members (families, widows, practical needs close at hand). I want you to ask: Where is generosity showing up in my life, and where is God inviting growth?
- Make Disciples, Not Just Attend Church One of the clearest signs of health is reproduction. Are there people in your life you’re praying for, intentionally building relationship with, hoping for a real conversation that leads to the gospel? Are you helping a newer believer take next steps (learning Scripture, prayer, obedience)? Making disciples deepens our own discipleship because it forces us to live what we say we believe (1 Timothy 4:6).
Practice Can Make You Better, or Worse
I need you to feel the weight of this story: Coach Al talked about a catcher who worked harder than everyone, extra reps, gym time, healthy eating, constant effort. Yet over four years he got worse.
Why? Because training doesn’t matter if you train the wrong things for the wrong reasons. Practice doesn’t make perfect; it makes permanent. What you repeat becomes you.
So don’t just “do spiritual habits.” Bring your training under Jesus’ leadership:
- train for godliness,
- train with healthy doctrine,
- train with love,
- train with obedience,
- train toward Christlikeness, not performance or pride.
Conclusion
You don’t have to stumble through spiritual chaos wondering how growth happens. Paul’s counsel is clear: be nourished by Scripture and train yourself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:6–8). Godliness is worth more than any temporary gain because it blesses this life and reaches into eternity.
So I want you to take one step today: choose one practice you will deepen this week, Scripture, prayer, community, service, generosity, or disciple-making, and do it with the right aim: to become more like Jesus, not merely to stay busy.
Father, thank You for not leaving us guessing about how we grow. Nourish us with Your Word, the words of faith and healthy doctrine. Heal any places where Scripture has been used to wound us, and teach us to receive it as food that gives life. Train us by Your Spirit to pursue godliness with joy and endurance. Help us to pray, to love Your Word, to live in real community, to serve, to be generous, and to make disciples. Keep us from hypocrisy, and form in us sincere obedience. We offer You our habits, our schedules, and our hearts, shape us into servants who look like Jesus. In His name, amen.
Conclusion
You don’t have to stumble through spiritual chaos wondering how growth happens. Paul’s counsel is clear: be nourished by Scripture and train yourself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:6–8). Godliness is worth more than any temporary gain because it blesses this life and reaches into eternity.
So I want you to take one step today: choose one practice you will deepen this week, Scripture, prayer, community, service, generosity, or disciple-making, and do it with the right aim: to become more like Jesus, not merely to stay busy.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for not leaving us guessing about how we grow. Nourish us with Your Word, the words of faith and healthy doctrine. Heal any places where Scripture has been used to wound us, and teach us to receive it as food that gives life. Train us by Your Spirit to pursue godliness with joy and endurance. Help us to pray, to love Your Word, to live in real community, to serve, to be generous, and to make disciples. Keep us from hypocrisy, and form in us sincere obedience. We offer You our habits, our schedules, and our hearts, shape us into servants who look like Jesus. In His name, amen.