LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Dave Earley,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500 – B07
Discipleship Ministries
By
Jayanna Arnold
January 31, 2021
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Introduction
Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in
love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”
(Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV).1 At the center of the Apostle’s message, he admonished that believers
imitate Christ through love--love being a layered concept. In today’s terms, love is normally con-
sidered in a romantic context and is conditional. In this particular scripture, “love” goes beyond
the confines of our feelings. Love is filled with action; it is pure, godly and sacrificial. To say
that this kind of love would require for us to tap into a deeper capacity is an understatement. To
love the way God desires for us to love requires spiritual formation-- a true transformation,
where we partner with the Holy Spirit to become anew. Jim Putman wrote in Discipleshift, “Not
only must we make a mental decision to follow Christ; there must also be a process of transfor-
mation in which a work takes place in our heart and affections.”2 Only when we commit to this
process will we become true disciples of Christ.
Dave Earley writes in Spiritual Formation Is that transformation is ultimately the goal of
spiritual formation. He also emphasized that spiritual formation is ongoing: “Spiritual formation
does not happen all at once. It happens by degrees as a gradual, ongoing process of becoming
more and more like Jesus.”3This implies that one would have to consistently commit to the
process, which is first accomplished by sacrificing one’s own flesh and comfort. “And he said to
all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
1 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the English Standard Version.
2 Jim Putman, DiscipleShift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), 48.
3 Dave Earley, “Spiritual Formation Is,” in Spiritual Formation Is, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2018), 4.
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me” (Luke 9:23). Self-sacrifice is just one part of the process that aids a believer in being
equipped for disciple-making. The kind of stripping and shedding that takes place in spiritual for-
mation releases a believer of character flaws that would have normally hindered him from relat-
ing to others and attracting others who may desire to follow Christ. It must be emphasized that
when a believer endures the stripping, this makes him pliable to the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
as a power much stronger is needed for this process of disciple-making. Dave Earley wrote, “In
order to lead other people to Christ, we need the spiritual guidance and spiritual power given by
the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the most important person in your ministry life.”4 Spiritual
formation does lead a believer into a place of wholeness, but more importantly, the process gives
him the language and posture needed to lead others through the very same process, thereby de-
veloping more disciples.
Overview of Three-Directional Love
As previously mentioned, spiritual formation begins with a believer’s decision to sacri-
fice himself, as well as anything he used to affirm his identity. In accordance with that, disciple-
ship calls for a believer to deny himself. Luke says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24). Ultimately, anyone who claims
to be a disciple or desires to follow Christ should be willing to give up aspects of his life or per-
sonality that he once loves. As he transitions out of his former life, God calls for his attention in
three other areas related to his spiritual formation process: his love for God, his love for his spiri-
tual brothers and sisters, and his love for neighbors. Rod Dempsey wrote, “Loving God, loving
4 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group ,2013), 33.
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one another (nurturing relationships), and loving our neighbors (apostolic mission) is the DNA
of a follower of Jesus.”5
Starting with the believer’s love for God, spiritual formation takes place through his de-
votion to God by way of worship. The act of worship is a direct reflection of a believer’s heart
toward God. Richard Averbeck wrote in Worship and Spiritual Formation that there is no spiri-
tual formation without worshipping God: “Spiritual formation begins with becoming a worship-
per of the only true God, bowing the knee and calling upon him. Without this, there is no forma-
tion into the image of Christ to talk about.”6 Drawing from Averbeck’s interpretation of worship,
it is clear that worshipping God calls for a spirit of humility, putting aside all manners of distrac-
tion to focus only on God and His presence. This can also be demonstrated through spending
time with God, actively building an intimate relationship with Him. Dempsey highlighted that al-
locating time to hear, read, study, memorize and meditate on God’s Word as well as pray are
ways to get to know God and how He desires for believers to live. This will not only build inti-
macy between a believer and God but it will also invoke a transformational effect. Just as Moses’
face to face encounter left a lasting effect on him, time with the Lord will do the same within to-
day’s believers.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love
and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). The Apostle
Paul instructed for believers to separate from the very things that fed their flesh and to pursue
fruits of the Spirit, along with those who seek after the Lord. The company one keeps does affect
his pursuit of spiritual formation. This is why it is important to surround oneself with like-
minded individuals-- to be a part of a community that also seeks wholeness and freedom.
5 Dave Earley, “Spiritual Formation Is,” in Spiritual Formation Is, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2018), 100.
6 Richard Averbeck, “Worship and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation, ed. Paul Pettit
(Grand Rapids: Kregels Publications, 2008), 60.
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Covenant community aids a believer in his process of spiritual formation and also serves as a
measuring stick, showing what progress the believer has made, based on his interactions within
his community. Gordon Johnston wrote in Old Testament Community and Spiritual Formation,
“While the character of God is the focus of the moral life, the community of faith is its catalyst.”7
According to Johnston, the character of God shows a believer how to live a moral life; in addi-
tion to that, a faith-filled community offers even more guidance. A faith-filled community reaf-
firms the love of God and offers accountability. Darrell L. Bock wrote in New Testament Com-
munity and Spiritual Formation that Spiritual formation demonstrates its presence not only in
how we relate to God, but also especially in how we relate to others, particularly those in our
community.”8 A community of spiritual brothers and sisters provides a mirror to a believer,
whether it be by verbal accountability or by personal accountability, considering the way a be-
liever conducts himself. Also, depending on how willing a believer is to allow others into his
space determines how much help a community can be. If a believer is willing to be vulnerable,
he can experience a level of love that can only come from the inspiration and then will be able to
extend that same kind of love.
It is important to note that the love of God is not exclusive. Just as He has instructed be-
lievers to love Him and one another, He also desires for believers to love those outside of the
confines of the church. Dempsey noted, “Our love for God and for one another should be a major
apologetic to the unbelieving world...The message of Christ, who loved so much that he died in
our place, should not only be heard; it should also be seen, felt, and experienced.”9 God’s desire
for believers to love those who are of the world, as well-- not just for the sake of being nice but
7 Gordon Johnston, “Old Testament Community and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation,
ed. Paul Pettit (Grand Rapids: Kregels Publications, 2008), 76.
8 Darrell Bock, “New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation, ed.
Paul Pettit (Grand Rapids: Kregels Publications, 2008), 106.
9 Rod Dempsey, “Spiritual Formation Is,” in Spiritual Formation Is, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2018), 104.
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to also be evangelistic. Exhibiting the love of God shows the character of God, as believers are
the first example of who God is, to non-believers. Because it may be difficult to always remem-
ber to be examples, Dempsey offered some helpful tools. With a posture of humility, it would be
helpful for believers to first pray for their neighbors, then to lend a listening ear, which demon-
strates compassion and kindness. A believer could then build relationships with their neighbors,
and when the time is right, he could share how Jesus has changed his life. In this context, a be-
liever must be careful in how he connects non-believers to God. Most times, it would be the
most effective to act in godly love, first showing the loving character of God.
Walking in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in the spiritual formation process, offering guid-
ance and support, especially during moments where believers may experience lack, confusion,
doubt or weariness. As Dave Earley mentioned in Spiritual Formation Is, the flesh is the part of
the believer that pulls him away from God, the more it is fed. To overpower the desires and the
power of the flesh, the Holy Spirit extends correction and guidance, which enables believers to
remain focused on God’s agenda. During the spiritual formation process, there may be moments
where a believer is tempted to take part in old habits because sometimes, familiarity brings
comfort. In those moments, the Holy Spirit brings conviction upon the believer and gives him the
strength to make decisions conducive to his spiritual growth.
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My Personal Growth Assessment
After taking the personal growth assessment, I found that my strongest points reside in
my love for my neighbors. As I have grown in Christ, I realized that I have a strong love for
reaching the lost souls. In many of my conversations with non-believers or new believers, I have
encountered many people who were desperate to know more about God. Although the non-be-
lievers had struggled in the area of faith, upon hearing about the Lord in a different way, they
sought to know more. The humility in both categories of people is always refreshing.
I scored the highest in statements 3-7, in the section designated for the love for our neigh-
bors. Statement 3 says, “I am seeking friendships and relationships with people who do not know
Christ.” This is actually fairly new for me. After I gave my life to Christ, I made a vow to only
befriend people at church because I felt that would be the only way to maintain righteousness. It
was not until a year later that I realized how much of a hindrance that was. I have found that a
community of believers is beneficial to my walk with Christ, but it limits my evangelistic reach
when I refuse to go into foreign territory. Since I have matured in Christ since 2016, my love for
building with and pouring into the lives of those who do not know Christ has spiked. I love to
watch the Lord transform the lives of the people He allowed me to build with.
Statement 6 says, “ I am seeking to use my spiritual gift to serve others outside the body
of Christ.” It is clear that I have a strong desire to see people’s lives transformed by the power of
God, which is why I have committed myself to walking in the anointing that God has placed on
my life. Thankfully, the Lord has called me to the media industry--a field that is full of people
who are seeking for something but cannot put a name to it. Because I was once that person, who
knew I was missing something until God found me, I can identify with others who are aimlessly
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searching to fill a void. Ultimately, my desire is walk in and move in the Spirit of God, especially
in places that would not normally welcome Him. There are people in need, so I am willing to go
and do what the Lord desires for me to do.
Unfortunately, I scored the lowest in an area that I deemed as the most important: my
love for God. My lowest score was related to statement 4, which says, “I have a daily prayer time
and plan.” Sadly, I used to be way more committed to spending time with God. The difference is,
I am in a very unhappy place, which should not affect my relationship with God, but it does.
Since earning my last Masters degree, which was one of the most challenging journeys I have
ever embarked on, I feared that I would return to my hometown with nothing to look forward to.
My fears manifested, which caused me to become angry with God. Each day since I graduated,
my relationship with God has been rocky, then within the past few months, I completely gave up.
This explains why I also scored so low in statements 2 and 3, which state, “I am systematically
memorizing God’s Word” and “I am writing out key passages and meditating on God’s Word for
application.” The disappointments I faced caused me to doubt the Word of God, concerning my
life. I still had faith in Him, in regards to what He did for others, but I lost all faith concerning
myself. This also clarifies why I scored a bit higher in statement 5, which states, “I have a dated
prayer request list for people and requests.” I am in a place where I am quicker to pray for others
than for myself. This assessment has proven to me that I need to assess my faith walk and priori-
tize my relationship with God. I know I have missed out on a lot of needed time with Him, and I
am also aware of how this has taken a toll on me, mentally. As a result, I plan to fully commit
myself to a Personal Growth plan.
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Personal Growth Plan
While I have struggled in my relationship with God, mentally, I wanted to rebuild our in-
timacy and embark on an entirely new journey into spiritual freedom. A month ago, I had a con-
versation with two of my male friends about my God’s desire for my life. Both of them admon-
ished me to begin a new journey with the Lord-- one that would teach me new things about my-
self and Him. By the sound of their tone, I knew that this needed to happen sooner than later. So,
last week I signed for a Healing and Deliverance Master class, where we would deal with the
parts of myself that struggle to submit to God, as well as the residue that my traumatic experi-
ences have left. I also found a Christian counselor that agreed to assist me in my journey to
wholeness. Outside of that, I plan to commit to a strict routine that will aid me in rebuilding my
relationship with God.
I plan to do the following:
- Pray daily, for 30 minutes or more
- Read and meditate on the Word of God for 30 minutes or more, daily
- Write in my journal, regarding where I am in my journey, every night
- Record what I believe the Lord has revealed to me
- Seek opportunities to prophesy to my peers, at least once a week
- Go to the gym 3-4 days a week to contribute to my desire for discipline.
I am so grateful that I serve a redemptive God and that He has extended resources to me that will
serve this journey,
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Conclusion
The goal of spiritual formation is for the believer to be transformed into the image of
Christ. I believe that spiritual formation should be a process that all believers aspire to take part
in, for it is a journey that produces the kind of fruit that will draw others to the Lord. Spiritual
formation makes discipleship possible because it destroys every aspect of the person that strug-
gles to submit to Christ and the process of it matures the believer. Furthermore, spiritual forma-
tion enables disciple-making, as it prepares the believer for evangelism and imparts the heart of
the Father, allowing the believer to walk with and guide those who desire to be discipled. As
stated before, since the goal is to be Christ-like, spiritual formation should be a journey that all
Christians embark on.
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Bibliography
Earley, Dave and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group,
2013.
Earley, Dave. Spiritual Formation Is. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2018.
Pettit, Paul. Foundations of Spiritual Formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2008.
Putman, Jim. DiscipleShift. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.
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