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In today’s episode of the Leader Fluent Podcast, I’m talking about, “Jesus on Habit Formation.” As we prepare for a new year, many of us are thinking about new habits and new resolutions, so in this episode I’ll share four keys to habit formation from the life of Jesus.
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SHOW NOTES:
John Maxwell often says, “Most people have uphill hopes, but downhill habits.” In other words, lots of people have uphill dreams and goals—things they want to accomplish or become—but the problem is their habits don’t match their hopes. There’s a lot of great research on what the formation of habits looks likes, but I want to share four observations on habit formation that I see in the life of Jesus. As you read the Gospels, you discover that one of the habits Jesus modeled most frequently was prayer. Not only does Jesus’ prayer life give us a great example of prayer, but it gives us a great example of how to form a habit.
Four Keys to Habit Formation:
1. Habits Need a Time
When you look at Jesus’ habit of prayer, he prayed at various times, but Scripture makes a specific reference to mornings.
Mark 1:35 (NLT) – Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Luke 4:42a (NLT) – Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place…
For a habit to form, you need a set time and a right time that works for you. When habits aren’t directed by a time, they become dictated by your feelings. And let’s be honest, we never feel our way into a habit.
There are 525,600 minutes in a year. You’ll spend approximately 175,200 of those minutes asleep (if you get eight hours a night). That means you’ll have 350,400 minutes during your waking hours. And if you have a job and work eight hours per day, five days per week for fifty weeks a year, you’ll have 230,400 minutes remaining.
So, the question is, how many of those minutes will you give to form the habits that will make you healthy. And if you think you don’t have enough time, consider one more number: 51,830. That’s how many minutes the average person spends on social media each year. It’s 142 minutes per day…863 hours per year…22% of your minutes outside of work and sleep.
2. Habits Need a Place
Each time Jesus prayed, Scripture refers to the place he prayed. The place wasn’t always the same, but the place was always secluded.
Luke 4:42a (NLT) – Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place…
Mark 1:35 (NLT) – Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Luke 5:16 (NLT) – But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Luke 6:12 (NLT) – One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.
Mark 6:46 (NLT) – After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
What do all of these passages have in common? They reveal a secluded place where Jesus prayed. Simply put, every habit needs a home. That home is the place where the habit can take root and the habit can produce fruit.
3. Habits Need a Frequency
This seems obvious because habits imply frequency and regularity. But I believe it’s worth pointing out when it comes to Jesus’ habit of prayer.
Luke 5:16 (NLT) – But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
We know Jesus’ prayed often because of all the passages of scripture I’ve shared already. Why is this important to point out? Because frequency is what gives a habit its power. In fact, without frequency, a habit isn’t a habit; it’s a hobby. As you’re developing your habits, ask yourself this question from Dan Sullivan: “IS THIS WHERE I STOP?” Each time you answer no, you’re building frequency into your habit.
4. Habits Need a Partner
Typically Jesus prayed alone, but there are references of other people being with him or near him when he prayed.
Luke 9:18a (NLT) – One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him…
For many of the habits we develop, they will happen alone. But when habits are forming—especially in the early stages—we often need a partner. Generally there are two types of partners: ACTIVITY PARTNERS and ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS.
Activity partners are people that develop the habit with you…they’re in the game taking action right alongside of you? Accountability partners are people that hold you accountable to develop the habit. Partners provide the support and accountability to form patterns of frequency so the habit becomes embedded in our lives.
Every habit needs a TIME, a PLACE, a FREQUENCY, and a PARTNER. When those four things are in place, the likelihood of success increases. Mark Batterson once said, “Show me your habits, and I’ll show you your future.” I hope that challenges you as you think about the habits you need to form in your own life.
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