DISCIPLINE. Dirty word these days. DISCIPLESHIP. Not so dirty a word, but obviously related to the other. Discipline, discipleship, disciple...all come from the same Latin root which has to do with LEARNING. In fact, the Greek word which we translate in the English New Testament as "disciple" is mathetes, a LEARNER.

What brings this subject to mind is our continuing national fascination with the just-completed Olympic games and grows out of that wonderful biblical imagery used so regularly by the apostle Paul comparing the Christian life to athletics. Running, wrestling, boxing...with a crown of glory at the end to the winner. How does one attain the victory, and particularly in such August company? DISCIPLINE!

Now take that DISCIPLINE root and move to its etymological cousin DISCIPLESHIP. T…