A Review of Habits of Grace, by David Mathis

Books
Written By Scott Kedersha

Over the years, I’ve read a handful of books on the spiritual disciplines:

To help prepare for a discipleship group I co-led of marriage ministry leaders at our church, I recently read Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through The Spiritual Disciplines, by David Mathis. Mathis works as the Executive Director of Desiring God.

Habits of Grace is an excellent addition to your reading options on the spiritual disciplines. The premise of the book centers around the fact that the spiritual disciplines are a means of grace, habits that allow us to grow in our intimacy with Jesus. These habits "are blessings - not mere disciplines, but channels through which God gives us spiritual food for our survival, growth, and flourishing in the mission” (Habits, pg.32).

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He breaks the book into three main sections: 

  • Hear His Voice (Word)

    • Read for breadth, study for depth; meditate on The Word, scripture memory (which includes some great, practical tips on scripture memory as well as 12 Gospel Passages to Soak In), Be a Lifelong Learner.

    • Have His Ear (Prayer)

      • Purpose and practice of prayer, praying with others/community, fasting (which will challenge you), journaling, silence, and solitude (yes, please!).

      • Belong To His Body (Fellowship)

        • Fellowship and the benefits of listening to others, corporate worship, faithfulness in listening to the preaching of the Word, baptism, communion, the blessing of a rebuke.

I love that he included the chapter on rebuke. We often don’t like to challenge or rebuke others, and we certainly don’t like to be on the receiving end of a rebuke. But, I have learned over the years of the enormous value that comes when brothers and sisters in Christ rebuke or challenge me in areas when I can grow. We need to be open to others speaking into our lives, and we have the opportunity to give the blessing of a rebuke to others.

He provides good, brief accounts on each of the disciplines, and many of the chapters include practical lists/suggestions after he establishes the theological and biblical basis for the discipline. Mathis includes a few chapters that are not in Whitney’s book (baptism, communion, and rebuke). Neither Whitney nor Mathis’ books include a chapter on the stewardship of the body or wellness as a spiritual discipline. Mathis views evangelism and stewardship as effects of and a response to the disciplines of the voice, ear, and body. As we live out the great commission, we’re called to evangelize and be good stewards of our money and time.

According to John Piper in the Foreword of the book, Mathis wrote Habits of Grace so that the reader will better enjoy Jesus. And, enjoying Jesus is not optional, but a duty in the life of the follower of Christ. He has accomplished his purpose in this book. When you live out and practice the spiritual disciplines, you will enjoy Jesus. I’ve seen it in my life and have seen it played out in the lives of countless other followers of Christ.

I commend Habits of Grace to any follower of Christ. The book is filled with scripture from cover to cover and points its readers to the joy of intimacy with Jesus. Habits of Grace would be a great read for a small group of singles or couples. The book is an easy read, is highly practical, and would provide a great study as a means to spiritual growth.

Your Turn:

  • Read Habits of Grace, by David Mathis. He also has a study guide companion book that goes along with the book.

  • At a minimum, check out his 5-part, free video series on the book. You can sign-up for the series here.

Note: I did receive a review copy of this book free of charge from Crossway books.

Scott Kedersha
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