Getting a gym membership doesn’t automatically give you a six pack. If you want to burn fat, gain muscle, and get stronger, you need to actually go to the gym and train. In the same way, simply being a Christian doesn’t automatically make you godly. You actually have to train for godliness.

“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
(1 Tim. 4:7-8)

There is some value to bodily training. You don’t have to cancel your gym membership. But as great as it is to have ripped abs and strong arms, there is far more to be gained from spiritual training. So how can we train ourselves for godliness and good doctrine?

In addition to being plugged into and serving in a healthy church, here are 3 tools that all Christians, young or mature, can make use of to train for godliness and good doctrine. I pray that by the grace of God, these tools will help you become more and more like Jesus.

1. ESV Study Bible

My wife, Jenny, got me one of these for Christmas a few years ago and it has been one of the most useful resources I have in studying God’s word. Not only does it have helpful comments on every other verse in the Bible, but it also has introductions to every book, profiles of different men and women in the Bible, and sections in the back that explain theological concepts, church history, and other awesome stuff. Get one of these.

Buy one from Amazon here.

2. Journal

In the Old Testament, the godly man was portrayed as the man who meditated day and night on God’s word (Psalm 1). Meditating means you don’t just skim some words and move along. You slow down and take time to think about the words (I know, crazy), and journaling helps you process them. Journal about where you’re at spiritually (good or bad), what God’s word says, and try to wrestle with what it means for you. Establish a routine for yourself to spend devoted time reading God’s word, journaling, and praying. All you need is a:

• time,
• place,
• and plan.

For example, my current routine is 6:00 am (time), at my kitchen table (place), reading through the book of Luke and journaling a little as I read (plan). I don’t stick to this perfectly, but if I didn’t have a plan it would never happen.

Get a nice Moleskine journal on Amazon here.

3. Verses App

My friend James introduced me to this App, and it is now one of my favorite tools for memorizing Scripture. You can pick any verse in the Bible, or whole passages or chapters, and play different memory games to help you memorize the verses. It legitimately makes it fun. The App marks all the Scripture you are trying to memorize, and tracks your memorization “health” as you make progress. You can also invite friends to memorize with you, and learn the Bible in community.

Right now I’m using this App with a few friends, to help us memorize the Book of James together.

Download “Verses” on the App Store here.