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Spiritual Formation and
Discipleship
Discipleship Ministries (Liberty University)
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
,
Submitted to Dr. John McGinn
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500 – D01
Discipleship Ministries
by
Nathaniel T.
Jennings
October 04, 2020
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Introduction
After accepting Christ Jesus and Lord and Savior over our lives, it begins a journey of
prayer and a personal relationship with God and a foundation of spiritual formation is formed.
There are small group within our church and the discussion on prayer is often a large discussion
time. We must be committed to a strong prayer life. Prayer must be essential in the life of the
believer. Praying before every major decision whether great and small should become the
normal. A characteristic of seeking God through prayer is a strong biblical principle. Every
believer becomes more and more intimate in our personal relationship with God as we connect
with Him on a daily basic. Through discussions within the small group, guilt raises its head
because we can sometimes neglect God and believe that we are doing things on our own. It is
easy to find ourselves crying out to God because our prayer life is lacking and we present God
with a long laundry list of things that we need help with accomplishing. No matter the issue or
the situation God is always there when we need him most. Dr. Nation states, “intimate
interaction with God is much more than merely rattling off whatever is on the top of our minds
or repeating phrases with great passion.”1 Prayer is a powerful tool that must be used not in a
public form but a two way conversation. While talking to God, we should also be listening for
His response for directions for our lives. God has made prayer an easy approach to Him and he
gives us directions on how to pray. We are taught:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be
done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.2 (Matthew
6:9-13, NKJV)
1. Philip Nation, Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and
Send Us Out (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016).
2 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New King James Version (Wheaton, IL: Thomas
Nelson Publishing, 1985).
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When God leads us to prayer, we are praying that His spirit will over shadow every part
of our existence, body, mind and soul. We desire for God to consume every area of our lives,
whether social, religious, or personal through prayer. Beginning the day in prayer is so
powerful. Spending time thanking God for the many blessings that He has given us rather than
asking for blessings is sometime we should time doing. As we act upon our faith we are invoking
the very presence of God into our daily walk.
When a believer’s prayer life is in check, growth is able to manifest producing more
spiritual minded disciples who are maturing more like Christ. Meditating on the Word of God
and maintaining an active prayer life keeps us on a path to becoming all that God intends for us
to become. “Spiritual formation is an ongoing, gradual process of glorious transformation into
the image of Jesus by the Spirit of God that is available to every believer as a result of honestly
and intentionally seeking the face of God.”3 . Spiritual formation can also be described as the
process of changing to become more like Christ Jesus.
Three Areas Related to Spiritual Growth
Three areas connected to spiritual growth in Early’s book Spiritual Formation Is…are:
loving God (relating to God), loving one another (nurturing relationships), and loving our
neighbors.4 These areas, according to our author, are vital for spiritual growth. Firstly, loving
God or relating to God can only be accomplished when there is meditation and an intentional
prayer life. A believer can only grow in the faith and draw closer to God when there is a active
3Dave Early and Rod Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is.. .(Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2018), 4.
4. Early and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is, 101.
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study time in the word and daily communication with God. “Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) “It reveals the nature of who God is and enables believers to become
like Christ in their values, behaviors, and lifestyles.”5 Planning time in the day to meditate on
scripture can bring about revelation. God will reveal himself to us through His word. Accepting
Christ Jesus at an early age and reading the bible is way different than then. Today, the word,
through the Holy Spirit is more alive as we read. The ability to understand and comprehend the
Word of God has broaden somewhat. As God reveal himself to the believer our spirit man
grows. Meditation is a peaceful place in your mind that allows our mind and spirit to connect to
God. “Without meditation you may close your Bible and not be able to remember a single thing
you’ve read. And if that happens, your Bible reading is not likely to change you.”6
The second area linked to spiritual growth is loving one another or nurturing
relationships. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment
greater than these.” (Mark 12:31) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are
My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) As believers of the Most High
God, we must not have any hate in our heart toward our brother; we must not do anything to
endanger the life of our brother; and we must not spread false statements about our brother.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any
grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Leviticus 19:17-18) Jesus was a living example of Love. “For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
5. Wilson Teo, “Christian Spiritual Formation,” Emerging Leadership Journeys 10, no. 1. accessed October 4,
2020, https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/elj/vol10iss1/7ELJ-Teo.pdf.
6. Donald S. Whitney, “Learning...,” in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado Springs,
CO: NavPress, 1991), 228.
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life.” (John 3:16) We operate in the great commission as we model after the love of Christ
Jesus. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that
you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Thirdly, as we work toward spiritual growth is the area of loving our neighbors. Love has
the ability to transcend race and religion and just about anything that divides us as a people.
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.”
(1 Peter 4:8) In the words of Jesus, we are identified as disciple because of our love. This speaks
volumes to the world. Believers of Christ as well as those who do not believe should be able to
see Christ in our lives through our actions. In the words of William Toms, be careful how you
live. You may be the only bible someone reads.” Through our actions and deeds a person can
accept or reject Christ. “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians;
who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That
is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”7
Personal Growth Assessment
The personal growth assessment illustrates the highest area in love for God and the loving
our neighbor as the weaker area. Reflecting over the past years, growth can be seen. There are
many things that can occur in the course of the day that can prevent one from being in the
spiritual place that one desires. Family life, job, and relationships takes up a great deal of our
day. Making time to fellowship and spend time with people outside the church and outside the
7 Simpson, Ben (April 16, 2013). "The Ragamuffin Legacy". Relevant Magazine. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
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work place needs to be a priority when connecting and building relationship with people. In
ministry full time and operating during this period of COVID-19 connecting with people via
zoom appears to be the normal. It is not the same coming together to socialize with other.
Formulating a plan and staying with it is the key to surviving this season of life, COVID-
19. Mediating, speaking the word of God and spending time in prayer have to be intentional.
Planning for the day and maintaining the regiment is essential for the survival of the believer.
These must work together in order to accomplish this faith walk as a believer in Christ Jesus.
Staying on task and actively participating within the small group sessions will help to
build relationships. Starting more small groups and seeking opportunities to get involved in
community and civic events can be an area for growth.
The weaker area is loving our neighbors. Work at opportunities to meet believers as well
as non believers and begin to fellowship. Displaying the love of Christ Jesus and treat people the
way that is pleasing to God must be the model. Becoming more approachable is important when
meeting and building relationships with new people. If we are to fulfill the Great Commission of
Christ, we must love God, love people and make disciple for Christ Jesus.
Bibliography
Dave Early and Rod Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is...(Nashville: B&H Publishing Group,
2018), 4.
Donald S. Whitney, “Learning.. ,” in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991), 228.
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Simpson, Ben (April 16, 2013). "The Ragamuffin Legacy". Relevant Magazine.
Retrieved October 4, 2020.
Philip Nation, Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us
Together, and Send Us Out (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016).
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New King James Version
(Wheaton, IL: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1985).
Wilson Teo, “Christian Spiritual Formation,” Emerging Leadership Journeys 10, no. 1. accessed
October 4, 2020, https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/elj/vol10iss1/7ELJ-
Teo.pdf.
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