Journal Instructions and Prompts
Each week, you must complete a Journal based on the assigned prompts below. Integrate course
reading and course videos as appropriate. Write as much as you need to fully address the scope
of the prompt.
Journal 1
For Journal 1, after reading None Greater, I want you to choose two chapters about which to
write. First, I want you to choose a chapter you knew "nothing" about coming into the class and
reflect on how this chapter challenged your views on the nature of God. Second, I want you to
choose a different chapter and explain why this doctrine is important for a healthy and biblical
spiritual.
Journal 2
For Journal 2, you must complete both parts of the following prompt:
Explain the ways you see pride manifested in your life. (Do not attempt to argue that
there is no pride in your life.)
After consulting your course textbooks and watching the course videos, how do you think
you need to respond to these manifestations of pride? Pride is insidious/devious you must
root it out of your life—this often takes surgery of the heart and it always takes
submission of the will!
Journal 2 DSMN 520
The Posture of Spiritual Formation is Humility
I was shocked to find that people viewed me as prideful. I had heard comments from
people I had conversations with, but I just thought that they had misunderstood what I had said
and the way that I did things. Case in point, I went to see the dentist and as we talked about the
type of dentures I should get, I expressed that I did not want the ones with the wire in them, the
dental assistant said. “you don’t want that wire in your mouth hmm…”. I thought nothing of it
until sometime later, maybe weeks later. Wow, I thought, she thinks that I am too proud for the
wire, but I just don’t like the wire. Fast-forward years later I was talking with a pastor friend of
mine and as we discussed some things and I cannot quite remember what, but I do remember
saying not wanting to be in such a situation because, and she interjected and said “because of
pride”. This made me reflect on a lot of conversations that I had had with others and I wondered
if this is what people meant in some of their statements to me, OUCH. Never ever do I want to
display pride and take glory away from God.
The book “Humility” by Andrew Murray, hit me right off the bat, up close and personal,
smack dab in the middle of my ignorance. I did not perceive a lot of things as pride, but I see that
they are. Self- contingencies no matter how slight, relying on my own abilities, leaning to my
own understandings and believing that I am serving God and bringing glory to Him through it. I
have been trying too hard to be understood by others, thinking that I got to get the word out in
strict adherence as to hold their feet to the fire, feet that I have not created. Oh my God, save me
from myself.
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My vision is certainly obscured. Murray led me (readers) to Phil. 2:1-11 (pg. 7).and in
paraphrasing these verses, I understand as; denying oneself and giving oneself over to the will of
God, not for self- glory, or personal gain and self-efficacy, but solely to bring glory to God. The
value of who we are is in our obedience unto the death of self-wanting and self fulfilment, and to
carry out the will God, as did Jesus, if we say we are striving to be Christ-like, the one who came
from the highest position and devalued Himself to do the will of God in total obedience, even the
death of the cross. Jesus’ value was in the will of God, Jesus did not mind the things of Himself,
He did not come to earth clothe in majesty and splendor, to be served by others, He did not come
to boast of Himself but to bring glory to His Father. He became a servant of mankind, He had not
a where to lay His head and took not a thought of it, but trusted in the God who sent Him to take
care of His every need while He did the work that He was sent to do. Jesus did not think it
robbery to be equal to God (Phil.2:6) and to be abased for the call of service.
Out of God’s generous nature we have everything we need. Before man was formed God
created the heavens and the earth, filled them with all the things that man would need to survive,
somethings God gave man the ability to enjoy and God coupled every creature with like kind
including man. Then God also gave man the ability to know and understand His creation through
his interactions with it and then gave man dominion over the earth that He (God) had created
before forming man and told man to subdue the earth.
It is easy to move without spiritual contemplation as we are carnal creatures trying to be
Christ-like. As we work to emulate Christ we must study to know what is expected of us, we
must learn of Him, His humility and servitude unto God and mankind. We are not to use the
knowledge of God to puff ourselves up, for personal gain, but rather to bring others to Christ
thereby, bringing glory to God. As we learn more of Christ we began to show ourselves
approved and we learn to rightly divide the word of God, the. The word gives us life and helps us
to crucify our flesh so that we will be able to serve others in humility as Jesus did. The word will
stem our obedience which will draw the grace of God through Jesus
On thwarting God’s sovereign design for His creation, I am sure I have tried, whether
willful or not, through my ignorance of the design through selfish indulgences. I am sure that I
have gotten in the way of God or not been in the way of God for His usage and tutelage. By way
of my God given choice I have gone to Tarsus. (Thank God for grace)
At the top of chapter 2 Murray explains that the tree. sprang up from a seed which gave it
life, further in the chapter Murry says; that the tree cannot grow except from the root from which
it sprang (pg. 11). He talks about how men try to flee from the haunts of the evil one, but they do
not know from where the evil sprang. If we are not rooted and grounded in Christ we cannot not
grow in righteousness, so where then are we rooted? The tree is known by the fruit it bear (Luke
6:43-45), so we must pluck up the roots that produce evil and be grafted to the vine that produces
leaves and branches of holiness and humility.
Only God can exalt us, and we can only be exalted in humility. Turning our lives over to
God in the first step, learning to humble yourself is the next. We have already been gifted with
grace from the humble death of Jesus on the cross.
When we are mindful of the pride within us and when we pluck it up by the root (with the
help of Jesus/Holy Spirit), we demonstrate our faithfulness of dying to self and wantonness to
please God in humility.
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Praying the Psalms in chapter 7 of Donald Whitney’s book “Praying the Bible” was a
quick lesson. I chose Ps. 66. It talks about singing glory to the name of God and edifying God for
all He has done. Psalms. 66 encourages readers to come see God in His awesomeness and
power, How he turned the Red Sea into dry land and rules by His power and hears my sincere
prayers, He will reject my prayer and will not keep His love from me.
My response to these manifestations of pride is to recognize that I can do nothing in and
of myself, that is the grace of God that keeps me. I have no right to boast or act be as one who
has something to offer of my own accord, because I do not. The author of Ps. 66 encourages
others to come see what God had done and only God could have done these things, Moses
stretched out his hand with the rod in it toward the Red Sea but it was by God’s power that gave
him the activity of his limbs and the Red Sea obeyed God its creator, not Moses. Pride no matter
how slight will rob us of God’s grace. I have been giving God Glory more and more just before
this class started, I do not know why but I find myself thanking God for the ability to cook and to
drive and to even walk. I was not aware that I was being as prideful as I was, and now I will be
hyper focused on the application of the word with purposeful concentration along with prayer as
I read and study. I must change my posture, in that I was blind to my pride, seeing through a
glass darkly now I am beginning to see a bit clearer.
Murray, Andrew, Humility. B&H Publishing Group. Nashville, TN. Liberty University Online,
wordsearchbible.com. October 2019
Whitney, Donald S, Praying the Bible. Crossway, Wheaton, IL. 2015
Liberty University Online, Course Video Presentations
Unless otherwise noted all bible references are from the KJV
After consulting your course textbooks and watching the course videos, how do you think you
need to respond to these manifestations of pride? Pride is insidious/devious you must root it out
of your life—this often takes surgery of the heart and it always takes submission of the will!
Journal 3
For Journal 3, after finishing your Spiritual Assessment, I want you to imagine that an individual
from your church came to you to seek spiritual counsel. He or she sought you out knowing that
you were called to ministry. This imaginary individual is struggling with the exact same
temptations you mentioned in your spiritual assessment. I want you to respond to his or her
struggle with the message of the Gospel at the forefront of your response. I want you to answer
the question, in your response, “how does the Gospel speak to this struggle/sin/temptation?”
Journal 4 11/17/19
For Journal 4, consider one of the following two journal prompts:
1. After completing Discussion Board Forum 2 on Romans 8, consider how this practice
of meditation can/should be applied in your spiritual regimen moving forward. In
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addition, consider memorizing a portion of this chapter: which portion of the chapter
will you memorize, and how will you make room for this in your busy schedule?
2. After reading the book of Romans in one sitting, reflect on what you learned by
reading and viewing the Gospel in its entirety. Consider how this discipline of reading
large chunks of Scripture could be better applied in your life as you study
the curriculum of spiritual formation.
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Journal 5
For Journal 5, I want you to set aside 30–60 minutes in your week this week and apply the thesis
of Whitney’s book, Praying the Bible. I would recommend choosing one of the following
passages to pray through—Psalm 23, Psalm 139, Romans 8, or Hebrews 11—but feel free to
choose whichever passage you want. After spending this time praying through Scripture, I want
you to reflect on the experience and consider how you could implement this discipline into your
spiritual regimen on a regular basis.
Journal 4 Wk. 5 11/19/19
Psalms 139 Personal Commentary by Deborah Vaz
O Lord, you know me, for thou hast pondered the character of my being
from within and without, thou knowest me Lord. Every move that I make
Thou knowest it long before I make it. If I am siting, if I am up moving about
you know Lord. You even know what I am thinking before I think it. You go
before me in my path, and you are with me while I slumber You know me in
all my ways. You know my speaking, going before me and covering me
behind. Oh, how lofty is your knowledge and how wonderful it is I cannot
fathom it. There is no place that I can hide from Thee. Thy presence is in the
heavens and even beneath the earth, you are in the deepest depths of the
sea and I can trust Thy hand to lead me, Thy righteousness shall comfort
me. Lord you cover me in the darkest of night and the darkness fears Thee.
Light and darkness the same thing to you. When I was in my mother’s womb
Thou didst form me and keep me. I praise Thee for I am Thine own image
and the works of Thine hands have I understood. You knew every part of me
though I was made in secret and was in a strange form in the depths of the
earth (my mother’s womb in my imperfection, you had already thought of
me and wrote me into Thy script of life as one who was made whole. Thy
thoughts are greater than all the grains of sand and they are precious to me.
In all of your greatness you are mindful of me and are with me at my
morning’s wake. Lord you have the power to slay the wicked of men and
cause them to die in their hunger for my blood that they seek after. They
speak evil words agin you Lord and have not respect for Thy name. I have
hatred for them who hate you Lord and my spirit is vexed agin those who
rise against you. My hatred for those who hate you is without deformity and I
consider them my enemies. Search me Lord, understand my heart, test me,
read my mind and if there be anything within me that is contrary to Thee, fix
me and direct me in the way of everlasting.
Reflection
Wow! This passage is an unwritten page in my book. How many times
have I thought about who I am as a person and who I am in Christ? Taking for
granted that as I work to serve God I am moving in the right direction and
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truth be told I am also in need of correction and I must see me first before I
look at others.
God knows everything about me before I came to be and before I had a
form, I was void of form and I was already in God’s plan. Even when I lived
the sinful lifestyle I was writ in the book and thought about.
Dr. Towns talked about different types of fasting in a presentation of
week three and one such fast was the Yom Kippur Fast. After looking at Psalm
139, I have decided to add the Yom Kippur Fast to my developing devotional
regimen. Starting on Sunday evenings at 6 pm until Monday evenings at 6
pm. I will be intentionally fasting asking God to search me and help me to
become a better God me.
Donnie McClurkin has a song called “Search Me Lord” and it is based
on Psalms 139. I have asked God on occasion to show me, me and it has not
been a pretty sight but I am going back and I am going to fast to get a real
breakthrough. Psalm 139 will be one of my prayers during my fasts.
Whitney says in his book “Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life”
that fasting is the most misunderstood Discipline “because of a famine of the
contemporary awareness of it” (pg. 191). Whitney says that Christians are in
world of where there is gluttony and the unwillingness of self-denial there is
self-indulgence and that society struggles to accept and to practice fasting.
Whitney also says that fasting is against the flesh in a radical way and goes
against the mainstream of culture (pg. 192).
There is another song, sang by LeAndria Johnson which says, “Lord
deliver me, cause all I seem to do is hurt me”. As I read through Psalms 139,
I prayed for my healing. Truth be told I know there are faults within me and I
am not above seeking growth. I praised God for the opportunity to come to
myself and realize that I need to be searched. I extol Him for I am in awe that
He is mindful of me. Then to realize and to ponder that I am made in his
image, fearfully and wonderfully so (Ps.139), and that I am deemed worthy
to be called into His sonship.
I realized that although that I am not out somewhere causing trouble or
drinking smoking, stealing and killing there are things that God knows about
me, that might very well be my own personal undoing. My thought
processes, what I think of others and so on. All of me is known by God. I truly
cannot hide anything from Him. God took all of the what he had and formed
me in a dark formless earth/womb and, brought me into being, without him
nothing was made (john 1:3) and because I am here I am made by Him. All
that which was made by Him had not life save he breathed in and upon it.
Praise the Lord.
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Journal 6
For Journal 6, consider how you can “embrace the awkward” as described in the course videos
to cultivate authentic, lasting, and true Christian community. Be specific, as this must relate to
your actual life and not some theoretical life you think you might live in the perfect future.
Journal 7
For Journal 7, I want you to explain the Gospel as if you were explaining it to a 7-year-old. Be
theologically specific as well as rightly nuanced. Do not rely on colloquial Gospel-renderings
common in evangelicalism that fail to explain necessary aspects of the Gospel message/response.
Journal 8
For Journal 8, I want you to answer two questions: 1) What should never be changed in this
class? and 2) What should be changed (if anything), right away?
*Journals 1–7 are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module/week, while
Journal 8 is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday night of the final day of the course.
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Journal 1 DSMN 520 Wk. 1
How Did This Chapter Challenge My Views on The Nature of God?
In chapter 2 of Barrett’s book; “None Greater” I was challenged by the terms and I was
enlightened by the different thoughts of Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin and others mentioned
in the text.
The explanations of these terms drew me to a greater look at how we view God and what
makes up our way of seeing God and understanding how we stand in relation to him. In the
segment “The Dog Who Met God”, when the child asked if The dog and God shared the same
kind of goodness as God, it made me think of the way I speak and how I am being perceived.
There are babes in Christ who may have similar questions or thought processes at the hearing of
my words. The nature of God is the He wants us all to believe in Him, to know who He is and to
get understanding of Him.
The difference between res significata (unchangeable) and modus significandi
(changeable) gave me a better view of God. Then attributes of God remain the same and the way
we view God changes. So, it will help me understand that we can see the attributes of God
through a different lens but nothing about Him will change.
My views are more challenged in retrospect. Am I presenting and am I edifying the life of
Christ in His simplicity, can the least find the understanding, as in the babes in Christ and the
natural physical babies as I present Christ. We who are called and chosen are tasked to make it
plain and the only way to do that is to know Christ (archetype) intimately ourselves, to emulate
(ectype) the attributes of Christ and be the form of Christ before the people. In Deuteronomy 6:4-
9 God tells the people first to hear and the commandments and then to “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. God says to put His
commandments in and on everything even to tie them on their hands, bind them on the
foreheads, to put them on their hearts, to impress them on their children, doorframes , houses,
gates everywhere so not to forget them.
I thought about the infinite/limitlessness of God who is in all places at all times while as
Barrett said some time after having stood on the precipice of the Grand Canyon, that it is “a very
small picture of the crevasse between the finite and infinite, between the creature and the
Creator”. What we get from God is minute and limited to our nature, but the nature of God is
greater and without boundaries. We cannot see as far and as deep and wide as God can, but He
shares Himself with us, in us and round about us.
Why is this Doctrine Important?
In Barrett’s book, None Greater, chapter 5 “Is God Made Up of Parts?” we find that the
Aseity of God is His self-existence.
God is a being who is unconstructed by human hands or by any other means of coming to
be, a God who created all and sustains Himself and all things without assistance.
The Aseity of God is outlined from the beginning, when Moses asked God who shall I
say sent me, God said; “ I AM THAT I AM” ( Ex:3:14 KJV). I find that the declarations that
God made about Himself are undisputable by man. God is an infinite being was is and is to come
and none else can ascribe to this in and of themselves.
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As I moved from elementary school to junior high (middle school), I was perplexed. I
heard a lot of people questioning who God is. What is God about, is God real, and some said that
they did not believe in God. I was horrified to hear these things and afraid to walk among them.
I did not understand how or why they were so irreverent to the Most-High God. In high school it
got worse as kids did whatever they wanted to do with no regard for parents, teachers and God,
The words that I heard were unbelievable, God does not exist, God is dead, who believes in that
crap anyway. Well, I did. This is where I first really heard of the Big Bang Theory and that man
derived from apes, I had just pushed this aside as child’s play but I found out that people really
believe this stuff. Even though in high school I had learned some other things that were new to
me, partook in some of them but I could not, would not let go of God. Thanks be to God for
keeping me.
This biblical doctrine of God’s Aseity is important because none of us can boast let alone
say, what we have attributed to the creation of the earth, any living creature, creeping or
crawling, any plant, tree or flower upon the earth. Who of us have set the boundaries of the
oceans, set the sun and the stars above and given them their charge? Job chapter 12 speaks to me
as Job tells his friend (enemies) that they can learn a thing or two from the animals. Job 12
speaks to me about how we are as people, have the answers to all the wrong things and none of
these answers are not right. We start answering from what we have gleaned externally and we do
not start at the beginning where God framed time for us and yet we want to take time into our
created hands and try to control the reins of time.
God declares that he is the creator of all things, without Him not one thing was made
(John 1:3). He declares that before the mountains we born He was (Ps. 90:2). God also declares
that He gives to us all that we need and that he needs not the service of human hands (Acts
17:25). In Malachi 3:6 a clause: God declares he does not change and there are so many more
attributes and declarations of God.
Barrett, references Stephen Charnock’s definition of “Simplicity” (None Greater pg. 78),
“God is the most simple being: for that which is first in nature, having nothing beyond it, cannot
by any means be thought to be compounded” Charnock’s reasoning behind this is that if
something is dependent on something it cannot be first.
It is important for us to know the truth about God, about His completeness within Himself. We
have a beginning in Him. We have all our answers in Him, and I still wonder how anyone could
question the validity of God’s existence as no one has been able to disavow any part of Him. It is
important to know that God is the only one true God who can contain himself because we have
heaped unto ourselves doctrine and false deities that provoke God to anger and jealousy. A God
of compassion who wants us, His likeness to share in His glory without these hardship, struggles,
trials and tribulations we face. After all Christ was wounded for our transgressions, bore stripes
for our healing and gave His life for our ransom. This is our hope. As we learn more of him and
draw nigh to Him, we will begin to fall away from external knowledge, come to know Christ and
truly be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we can better serve others pulling them
along as we become greater reflections of Christ.
Matthew Barrett None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Liberty University,
wordsearchbible.com October 24, 2019.
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Discussion Board Forum 1 (Module 2)
DSMN 520-D01 Discussion Boards & Responses
Deborah Vaz
Discussion Board 1 DSMN 520 Wk. 2
To preface my thoughts on the subject of which is first, the love of God which bears the
fruit of the fear of God, or if the fear of God bears the fruit of the love of God. We have been
taught that God is one who punishes for being disobedient and we should fear His wrath.
Although I believe that God will eventually execute punishment upon us I do not believe that he
sits high and cracks the whip or swings the rod of corrections to break our spirits in punishing
rituals that leave us batterer and bludgeoned. God does not send us to our rooms or dungeons to
make us quiver and cower beneath His mighty hand.
If we fear God in the carnal sense we would have no reason to love Him. If we
were to be afraid of God in the sense that He is just a punisher, or some great beast who held us
to a detrimental standard of truth and an obedience, there would be no sin or heinous crimes
against one another and certainly not against God. I believe that the love of God and the fear of
God are co-arbiters of the Christian life. Fear in reverence to His love for us, His power and what
he has done for us, from the beginning to our present and our future. Fearing God is to be in awe
of Him and recognizing our relational position to Him.
To Love God is to know again our positional relationship with Him. Love is a
form of reverential respect, which causes us to obey God, as does the fear of God.
When we love someone, we must know somewhat about them, their nature and their
character. We can fall out of love with people because they may change in and overtime and we
may feel dejected and disrespected, which could mean a whole lot of things causing us to lose
our respect for them. But God does not change, not one iota, nor does he leave or forsake us, He
remains the same ever and always.
Joseph the dreamer was a God-fearing man who suffered much at the hands of
man, even his closest kin, but he never lost His love or fear of God, he remained humble and, he
knew what God had promised, he knew that God had kept him in spite of being ill-treated, lied
on and imprisoned he held on and God brought His dreams to light. Moses feared God and lead
the people out of Egypt despite his fear of man in the carnal sense, but he reverenced God’s
supreme eminence above the carnal fear of man’s reprisal.
Jesus came to earth to be an example of how to love, serve, worship God. Jesus
did not try to change one thing about God’s word He just followed the order God set. Jesus was
equal to God but made no reputation for Himself, He knew God, He communicated with God
through prayer, he demonstrated his love for God by doing the will of God.
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Response to John Leone 11/01/2019
Hello John
This is an interesting and thought-provoking subject. Words in context play a big part of
our understanding. One word can be read and pronounced differently with the same spelling
depending on the context and subject matter. The Bible certainly be a difficult read sometimes
and I thank God for those who have dedicated their lives to teaching and helping us to gain
greater understanding of the Bible.
Here we are John, at this juncture in a learning cycle looking at a couple of words that
have many have connotations in different context and we are asked where they fit in the biblical
spectrum as to which is first, the fear of God or the love of God.
When we understand these words’ love and fear and when we get know something about
God begin to understand the difference of these words in the contextual meanings of their usage.
Again, getting understanding is paramount to the way we hear these words as we listen to the
way that they are used especially in relations to our interactions with God, we will come to know
the difference in the carnal fear of some form of physical punishment, although, we are well
deserving of such punishment and the differrence in the carnal meaning of loving God.
Reverential fear is as you say, to be in awe of God, His majesty, power and His love and
kindness to us ward. If we take a clue from the way God sees about us, how His has set things in
order for us, and the way heaven and nature reverence/respect Him, by keeping the
commandments that he gave to them without any tug and pull, maybe we will follow suit.
Yes, our fears, carnal fears can strike horror in our daily living, You said; “Man fears
disease, wild animals and even other men”, and rightly so, when man sees the things that are
unfathomable they should so be in awe, but this should prompt us to recognize God love and fear
Him for the display of His power ore the earth and not fear Him as a one who is set to punish us
at any given time.
I believe love and fear are equally important and coincide with one another so, which is
first or last, I say neither. I say as we investigate the contextual factors of how these words are
used we first must get understanding.
Paula Ortiz
Create a Response
Discussion Board Forum 1 (Module 2)
Hi Paula
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God comes to us out of His love and brings us to point of self-recognition. I quivered in
my realization that what I believed of myself as good characteristics in my everyday life, were
seasoned with pride. I was going on about my way and never gave thought that I was exhibiting
pride. I am so very grateful for this class.
Pride creeps in in so many ways and under many different guises. Not only is the enemy
subtle and crafty, but we must be mindful of ourselves. The Word of God will bring us to the
light of ourselves as we study we are reproved. Mark 7:21-23 says; “ For from within, out of the
heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting,
wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from
within, and they defile a person.”. It is that which is in the heart that defines us. So, when we put
the Word in our hearts we become less and less prideful and more like Christ.
You referenced Andrew Murray’s statement in the book “Humility” pg. 7, “Let us study
the character of Christ until our souls are filled with the love and admiration of His lowliness”
(Murray). This lines up with gaining more knowledge of Christ through our study of the Word of
God and allowing the Word to change our hearts
I believe that both affections, the love of God and the fear of God are tantamount. I
believe one evokes the other. As we must glean some understanding of God and His character we
both love Him and fear Him.
Once we come to know has something about God, about things He done and how we are
the beneficiaries of the dispensation of His grace, I believe we begin to love and fear/reverence
Him. You pointed out that the ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Ps.111:10 and
wisdom is the principal of understanding so, as we learn of Him we understand that He is to be
reverenced, beyond carnal thinking but in the fear and love of God is in its true context. The love
of God is like the steam coming off of the reverential fear of God and vice versa.
Perfect love cast out the fear of a negative mean-spirited God and shows us His mercy
and compassion. Then we begin to trust God more as we come into the knowledge of His
forgiveness and begin to experience Him the joys thereof and yes, the gratitude evokes to love,
reverence and humility in our daily walk.
Murray, Andrew. Humility. Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2017. wordsearchbible.com, liberty
University, October 2019
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs,
CO. Navpress, 2014. wordsearchbible.com, Liberty University, October 2019
Scripture references are from the king James Version unless otherwise noted
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WEEK 3
SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
This assignment has 3 parts that will be submitted as one paper in Module/Week 3. Each part is
intended to direct you toward an assessment of your spiritual life in its current form. Without
knowing where you are spiritually, it will not be possible for you to move forward; thus, this
assignment will focus on an assessment of your spiritual life.
This assignment will challenge you to assess your spiritual life so that you can see how you need
to mature. In order to accomplish this goal, this assignment will require a level of vulnerability
and honesty which can result in growth (if you embrace the process). Approach this assignment
prayerfully, asking the Lord to reveal to you how He wants to work in your heart throughout this
course and over the remainder of your life.
This assignment must be 1,000–1,250 words.
Part 1: Describe how you practice the spiritual disciplines.
Part 2: Discuss the common temptations that you face on a regular basis.
Part 3: Evaluate your weaknesses and blind spots as they relate to your Christian
walk.
Part 1: Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
In this section, describe your current practice of the spiritual disciplines. If you
need help knowing which disciplines to include, refer to Whitney’s textbook as an
example. Specifically, examine which disciplines are commonly applied in your
life and how regularly you apply them. Be honest here—dishonesty will not
impress anyone, and your current investment in the disciplines is not part of the
grade. How thoroughly you describe your investment is what will be graded in this
section.
Part 2 Common Temptations
In this section, discuss the temptations you face. After reading through Killjoys,
consider how the authors have described the common temptations that you face on
a daily basis. Some of these temptations are just that—temptations only. In other
cases, these temptations have become full-blown sins as you have given into
temptation. Be specific and honest about which category describes you and what
the common temptations are in your everyday life. Such sins may include laziness,
anger, pride, covetousness, gluttony, lust, envy, and gossip. Be specific about
whether these are common temptations or common sins, addictions, or bondages.
You cannot begin to address these temptations or sins unless you are willing to
admit the reality of their presence in your life.
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Part 3: Blind Spots and Weaknesses
In this section, evaluate where the blind spots are in your life. If you need help
identifying them, ask a close friend or family member. This is a very important
aspect of this assignment as it will help lay the foundation for moving toward a
spiritual growth plan.
DSMN 520 Wk. 3
Spiritual Assessment
Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
I do not have a strict regimental practice of Spiritual disciplines. I do have things that are
somewhat regularly. My day is not wrecked if I miss a beat say if I do not pray for a certain
amount of time in the morning, I am not beating myself up because I know that I can continually
pray as I go through my day. I work to spend devotional time with God in the mornings. I remind
myself throughout the day of the gifts that God has given me, especially His unmerited favor. I
practice humility throughout the day, God knows it can be hard sometimes. I learned when my
father was ill how much more important humility is.
When I see the elderly struggling I help them as much as I can. I have some physical
limitations, but they may be going through more in life that I am going through. Just the other
day I was at a store called Aldi’s and saw an elderly couple, both were barely walking, and the
husband was holding onto the wife with the little strength that he had to keep her from falling. I
was moved by the care and attention that he exhibited toward her. At Aldi’s the use of the
shopping carts is twenty-five cents. They were speaking in Spanish to each other so I asked in
my limited Spanish, if I could get the cart for them. As I put in the quarter and released cart the
gentleman looked perplexed and the wife asked; for me? I said yes ma’am and she said God
bless you. My heart melted as I walked away. I thought, his heart is stronger than his body and in
the way he does what he can to take care of his wife. I remembered the scripture the whatever
you do for the leas of these you do it as unto the Lord (Mat. 40).
I am a forgiver, a server and, worshiper these I practice faithfully because they keep my
mind stayed on the Lord. Forgiving is hard sometimes, but I cannot carry this weight and love at
the same time. Serving is an opportunity to show God that I am willing to sacrifice my time to
helps others. Worshiping is to give adoration to God and recognizing Him for all that I am not
because He supplies all my needs and keeps despite my failures.
Temptations
On to my temptations, one is television. I had gotten wrapped up in some television
shows that were not good for the Christian conscious. It is amazing how if you are not mindful of
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what goes into your spirit how it will affect you. I found myself watching certain shows and
spending time on the phone discussing them with a friend while we watched together by phone
(undisciplined with time). When I came to myself I told her that I was done, and I that was not
going to let this kind of thing seep into my spirit. Another one of my temptations is shopping, I
would buy the price of a lot of stuff and somethings I would buy just because I have always
wanted it and was seemingly was denied of it for one reason or another. Now I have to face it for
what it is gluttony So I have given a lot of things away and I have tried to justify myself by
saying that God let me buy it for such a time as this, to help someone else. Which I was not
disciplined with my money.
I tend to do a little bit of gossiping. I am in prayer therapy for myself, LOL. This a
temptation and a sin for me. I am fighting it, but I do not always make the grade. When I was
seventeen I prayed about my anger and asked God to help me quail it down before I got married,
I did not like conflict (still don’t). So, I asked God for help in this area, because it was bad. I had
almost a blind anger. I did not bother anyone, and I did not take kindly to them bothering me,
Anger is a temptation for me I believe because of the prayer I prayed that I am being poked at
but I count is being perfected.
Blind Spots and Weaknesses
This a very live experience. What I mean by that is, it gets to the core of life, the core of
my being and makes me face myself within the perimeters that I know I have tried to seal off in
some cases. I have a low tolerance to family members when it seems like they do not to try to
rise above their limited knowledge and physical abilities. I used to try and help my family move
forward and understand how they can change their view on life and past mistakes if they would
just turn things over to the Lord. But it seemed like they wanted to stay in the misery and
complain about it. So, through prayer and heartache I am learning to let God handle me and
them.
I must warn myself against the way others see God and remember that we are all learning
and that no one including me has all the answers. I am blinded by the concept that people are
always waiting to hear from God on how to move, work, and know what God wants them to do,
when we have written instructions and an open door to go to God and make our request known.
(Help me God). I was being judge mental and I know that we must pray and seek God for
guidance but there are just some things that seem natural to do according the Word of God and
everyday life. Case in point, someone saw something potentially dangerous on their jobs and said
that they are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit to know if they should take any action. It
seemed as if the situation could cause harm to others. My thought was that you already know it is
wrong by your God given knowledge of what is right and what is wrong; so why do you wait? I
think I was a little pushy and I may be wrong about this situation but I just said a prayer that all
would be well and that I would know my place and get in it.
After I lost my job in 2010, I could sleep when I wanted to or get up when I pleased so I
did, and it turned into laziness and often disobedience. A lot of things went undone including
school which I could have been done with by now, but I had learned to relish my freedom.
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I had become slothful and depression appears to be one of the culprits for this. As much
as I fought it, I think it got me anyway. Nothing had a priority for me, and nothing seemed worth
putting energy into my outlook was most negative. The result of this slothfulness had denigrated
my will to move forward as God has prompted me to do. Therefore, I perceive that I have
missed many blessings and opportunities to serve God for the purpose of helping His people.
This week’s presentations are awesome. I gained some new life and new understandings
of myself. I learned more about fasting than I had accepted it in the way it was done by others.
Especially when it comes to corporate fasting. Dr, Towns explained the types of fasting and the
principles of fasting that made it clear to me some things I did not understand, and I will share
this with my congregation. I have seen churches call for a fast without teaching and so I believed
that some were fasting amiss. The transformation presentations are worth sharing also
I have been judgmental of others and I repent of it. “There is a way which seemeth right
unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12 KJV). Seeing that Judgement
comes first to the house of God it behooves us to study and learn to be approved. I want to
rightly divide the word of God. I am truly in debt to God for His grace and mercy although,
given freely I owe for the time and opportunity due to my disobedience, my shortcomings and
failures to learn and be continually transformed (Thank You Jesus for forgiveness).
I pray oh God that you show me the areas that I need to surrender to You, so that you will
transformed my perspectives, and rearrange my agenda to suit Your will. God I
surrender my identity to You, and I repent of my blind spots and weaknesses for they are
many. Lead me not into temptation God, deliver me even from myself and help me to
discipline myself according to Your will and Your way. Thank you or Lord, in the name
of Jesus.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Rev. ed. Colorado Springs, Navpress, 2014.
Course Presentations Liberty University Online November 2019.
Journal 3
For Journal 3, after finishing your Spiritual Assessment, I want you to imagine that an individual
from your church came to you to seek spiritual counsel. He or she sought you out knowing that
you were called to ministry. This imaginary individual is struggling with the exact same
temptations you mentioned in your spiritual assessment. I want you to respond to his or her
struggle with the message of the Gospel at the forefront of your response. I want you to answer
the question, in your response, “how does the Gospel speak to this struggle/sin/temptation?”
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DSMN 520 Wk. 3
Journal 3
How does the Gospel speak to this struggle/sin/temptation?
The Gospel speaks volumes about the struggle of sin and temptation. It can be a frightful
thing to look at yourself in a mirror and not only see your faults but discover that there are a
whole lot more faults, failures, short comings than your thought. It is enough to make you break
every mirror in the house but hold on, do not break the mirrors, on the walls just crack open the
one mirror that reflects hope and healing in our visage.
After listening to the contents of the care seeker’s story I would want to be asked to be
more than a listener. Then I would offer prayer to start our session or time together to let the care
seeker know that I don’t have all the answers and that I rely on God to get me through my
situations and that God would do the same for them. I would want to access what stage that this
person is in as it relates to their relationship with Christ, to be able to gain an understanding of
how this problem affects the counselee and what draws the counselee to the issue(s) that may
cause the struggle. Doing my best to provide a safe and ethical environment while working to
access the personality style of the person that I am working with.
Allowing the care seeker to speak first, I would listen with intent without making any
assumptions, or suggestions but rather come along side of them to insure that sense of the
counselor’s trustworthiness.
Heb. 121-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Gospel tells us that we all have sinned and come short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23),
and that there is no sin that one can commit that is exclusive to one individual 91Cor 10:13).
Every sin we commit carries the same weight and we are to work to lay aside every sin and the
weight that easily besets or hinders our walk with God. Jesus came down from a position of
royalty, disrobed Himself and laid down His life for us and we are to do the same for Him,
although our positions are lowly He has blessed us in whatsoever state we are in. Jesus sees us,
the multitude and has blessed us in our lowly estates expressed in the Beatitudes (Mat. 5:1-11).
Let’s look at some the sins and weights. How are we feeding what draws us to sin or how
are we being tempted to sin? The mind is the first place the enemy wants to attack us. The mind
is like the womb our existence, it is the incubator of the spirit. Something must enter the mind
and challenge it, peaks it’s interest to get us to move in the direction of the challenge. Generally,
what peaks our minds is something that is already appealing to us and if we allow these things to
be consummated within the desires of the flesh we are likely to enter into temptation.
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With so many inlets into the mind, we have a superhighway in the order of technology,
that opens the world of every sinful freedom to us and even which that goes beyond the
imagination, until we come upon them. 1.Sexual immorality can be found on and in our
television shows piped directly into the home, over the internet, in our books and magazines, in
our music, with suggestive language and imagery. 2. Laziness is easily succumbed to because of
all these things that can be piped into the home, we are only have to use our finger muscles to
attain them, therefore, we don’t have to get up and get dressed to go and find sin is has moved in
with us. 3 Slothfulness, idleness, lethargy, becomes another weight that ties us down. We can
have food delivered the home, prepared boxes that has our meals set up for us, we do not even
have to think. We become less and less active and connected with real life like family
conversations and less social interactions with our neighbors. Alexa turns the lights on and off,
dials the phone, locks the doors and shuts the alarms on and off etc. 4. Overspending is a big
problem; we have home shopping networks with dial up shopping or internet shopping with
finger muscle charging (witness), our bounty of packages is delivered to the front door. 5.
Gossiping is a big weight. It is seen in on television shows, on talk shows as the host feign
whispers to stir up celebrity gossip that sounds juicy and intriguing to us, so we mimic this in our
everyday lives. Radio stations make their money of putting out different stories about people and
their struggles so we run with these stories and spread them to others.
There are so many more things that capture our minds and we must realize that we were
once captured but we have been freed from of such the like. Yes, some of these things are
necessary to those who are not able to get up and out but a lot of us have the activity of out limbs
and will not exercise this privilege (we do not know what it means to be thirsty until we have a
desert experience and cannot find water).
We have hope, and an assurance through Jesus Christ who came and took on our sins so
that we could be healed through Him. The Bible says that we are more than conquerors to Him
(God) that loves us (Rom. 8:31-39). He loves us so much that while we were yet sinners He gave
His life for us (Rom 5:8). If we live our lives with Jesus at the forefront we will be overcomers.
Man’s nature is sinful, and we war agin that nature daily. If we feed the spirit from the Spirit of
God by way of the Holy Scriptures, we will grow and be fruitful unto the Spirit of God. Then we
can be fruitful to others, helping them to grow, and to spread good seed to fulfill the Great
Commission.
Kollar, C. A. Solution-focused pastoral counseling 2nd ed.. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan. 2011
Petersen, J. C. Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communicating & Connecting in Relationships 2nd ed.
Portland, OR. Petersen Publications 2015.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs,
CO. Navpress, 2014.
wordsearchbible.com, Liberty University, November 2019
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Journal 4
For Journal 4, consider one of the following two journal prompts:
After completing Discussion Board Forum 2 on Romans 8, consider how this practice of
meditation can/should be applied in your spiritual regimen moving forward. In addition,
consider memorizing a portion of this chapter: which portion of the chapter will you
memorize, and how will you make room for this in your busy schedule?
After reading the book of Romans in one sitting, reflect on what you learned by reading and
viewing the Gospel in its entirety.
Paul being the author of the book of Romans, wanted to go to Rome but he was in
Jerusalem hoping to get out alive. Many converts were in Rome some had migrated there after
the Day of Pentecost including some people that Paul knew. There was8 opposition to the
movement of the Gentile converts to the Christian faith and how they were to be accepted
therein. There were some Jewish leaders who held on to the law of circumcision as ceremonial
induction into Christianity. They were still ignorant of the understanding that Jesus had fulfilled
the law and no man was under the bondage of the law anymore. Romans 8:5-8, tells us that when
we come to God we are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit and we should not be minding the
thing of the flesh anymore, i.e. the law because the flesh is at enmity with God and cannot please
God.
I will memorize Romans 8:12-16 as it reminds us that we who are in Christ are no longer
in debt to the flesh, that is freedom and to mortify the deeds or actions of the flesh and be not
entangled in the yoke of bondage but that I shall live and not die. I have been adopted and I am
claimed as a child of God which can be testified of by the Holy Spirit. This will be included in
my daily devotion and prayer, to be reminded to die to self and to put off fleshly desires.
God has a plan for man and it includes each of us as individuals and we will be judged by
God on the way we served Him and carried His commandments not by our status in ay part of
life i.e. Jew or Greek, circumcised or not but on our allegiance to God. To their lack of
understanding the Jews hold to the point that they are elite in God’s eyes and are entitled to
special favor from God. The truth was then and still is that even the Jews were not keeping the
law as they claimed it should be kept.
I learned that the law was a prelude to redemption. The law was and indictment of man’s
sinful nature and that man needed a placation and an appeasement of the law to justify us and to
save man from the punishable sentence of death. We needed a Savior. God sent His only begotten
Son to serve our sentence and to grant us grace and to pardon us from sin. If we then accept
Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we be come reconciled unto God and have the opportunity to
meet Him face to face in Glory.
I did not know that Abraham was uncircumcised when received God’s promise to be the
father of all nations. (still learning as noted in his book Spiritual Disciplines for The Christian
Life (pg. 34 (2 Peter 3:16)). Peter said that some of Paul’s writings were hard to grasp so I know
that I am in need of more study. As we strive for perfection we must not rest on the notion that
we are free (saved) from sin or having been forgiven of our sins and use this as a catalyst to can
continue to sin. It is imperative to man to learn the scriptures in to be able to do God’s will.
Romans chapter 1 verse 1, “There is therefore, now is no condemnation to them which are in
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Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” , is not giving us license to sin but
rather is governing our behavior, (“walk not after the flesh”).
The transformed life is by the mercy of God’s forgiveness should provoke us to do good
works and change our scope of life as well as the way we live. Also, leader should find
themselves in the state of humility and embody the attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit
(Corinthians12-14 also speaks of spiritual gifts), and not allow themselves to become puffed up
with pride and in a ways that disparage others.
The book of Romans speaks to a great number things concerning the Christian life style
and not just for the individual but also for the Christian community and the way we should
interact with each other, and present ourselves to the world.
Chapter Thirteen tell us to be obedient to civil law even we are children of God we must
still follow the laws of the land. We are to walk in obedience to the law for the glory of God
showing ourselves as children who reverence our Father and not live a wayward life as children
of privilege (puffed up).
I learned that Paul had a desire to go to Rome but he had to go the areas (Asia Minor and
Greece) where the name of Jesus and Gospel had not been heard. The letter was written to Rome
three years before Paul could get there.
Consider how this discipline of reading large chunks of Scripture could be better applied in your
life as you study the curriculum of spiritual formation.
I have a short attention span and this going to be a tough one. Studying in large chunks
would help me develop a more concise reading process it would push me to stay focused to do
more research and cross referencing of the scriptures. I will Method #16 viewpoint and how tie
in or consistency from chapter to chapter (Whitney Meditation Method #15: Find a Link or
Common Thread Between All the Paragraphs or Chapters (p. 66).
I believe that I would benefit from the mind mapping process (meditation method #17
(pg. 66)). It is funny how I can tell my grandchildren about doing things like this and not practice
myself. I think the visuality would be a great start to memorization. Along with the do not rush
thought. The scriptures are valuable indeed, for they are life, hope, healing and transforming and
I can sometimes go with what I know but I believe there is more depth to the scriptures than I
ponder. I use the analogy of a jet ski and a submarine. Jet ski skims the top of the water but the
submarine goes deep into the water and is there for a while gathering information and making
new discoveries. I very much agree with the thought of Maurice Roberts, referenced on page
sixty-seven. We are carless with the Word of God and our spiritual duties have become as
stencils rather than us being pliable to the Holy Spirit. We have overstepped the power of the
Holy Spirit and have put our own practices in place.
I recently found a website that will allow me to listen to or read Bible segments. There
are lessons for each day that can be accessed at any time, with commentary and I am going to
incorporate it into my morning devotion and study time. It is actually an answer to prayer. I have
been praying for a deeper prayer and study life. The more we study the more expansive the word
becomes in our minds leaving little to no room for the enemy to creep in to fill our minds with
false doctrine, folly and idleness.
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Spiritual formation is an on going part of life and I know that know matter how much we
handle the Bible we can never be perfect until Jesus perfects us for the presentation unto God but
we can strive toward perfection and the way to do that is through the word. The word is power
and can be like a salve to sooth of this flesh we live in. As we apply this salve we will be
transformed and renewed in our minds which will lead us to a new way of walking, thinking,
talking, and a better way of loving others.
The application of the Word of God is as important as the reading of the Word. Intake is
purposeful and develops Godliness. Sometimes to gain understanding I have to put my hands to
the plow. I want to be more than a hearer but a doer also. I know this will take some bangs,
bruises and bumps to be transformed and I am striving to become a better Christian but I am
going for it. Most children do not do it learn how to tie their shoes without grabbing the strings
and working at it, that’s me. I have twin granddaughters and one practiced tying her shoe for a
while the other seemed very disinterested. When the one who practiced learned how to tie her
shoes, a few days later the disinterested one came to me and said, “gramma look I can tie my
shoe”. I don’t know if that was twin telepathy or what but some people can pick things up
without practice, most of the time I have to practice.
I do find expressive reading of the scripture to be important. Whitney notes that we
should read the Bible for what it is, “Read it for what it is: the living Word of the living God” (p.
25). That which is alive show the attributes of living in some way or another. Faith comes by
hearing the WORD of God not by flat and reading that does not seem to appeal the reader
themselves. My congregation mock me as I read with expression but I don’t know if they are
aware of themselves being more and more expressive in their own open readings.
Application of meditation is for me. Whitney gives a great imperative, in my perspective,
to those of us who wish to know more and desire to draw nearer to God through the Word of
God. We sing, draw me nearer, but it is up to me to get into the Word of God and fill my mind
with; “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.
Donald S. Whitney (2017). (p. 34). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.com]
Book of Romans King James Version
Ibid
Romans Chapter 8 KJV
Bible references are from the King James Version
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Discussion Board
List of 50 Observations on Romans 8 (make sure to number your observations): Respond
to at least two of the following Applications from your Meditation on Romans 8:
Fifty Observations of Romans 8
1. The captives have been set free from bondage of sin and the law.
2. When we receive Christ we are forgiven where we were once worthy of condemnation now
we have been set free from condemnation, from being disavowed (vs 1).
3. Grace, God’s unmerited favor has been bestowed upon us because of Jesus’s death on the
cross. Sin and death have no power over us anymore because the law has been satisfied.
4. The law was too hard for man to keep. It was very extenuating and exhaustive without mercy.
It left room for men to commit error without any punishable aspects.
5. Jesus came in the form of lowly man and took on all of man’s sins to become that final
sacrifice for sin and to atone man once and for al., This is like the suffering symbol of Exodus,
tell the children to look up and be made whole.
6. God set the plan to reconcile us back to Himself. He sent His only begotten son Jesus
propitiate our sins
7. Physical death has been conquered for those who are in Christ Jesus, we shall be changed
from mortal to immortal and have eternal life in the Spirit realm.
8. Jesus came that we might have life and restoration from the issues of sin that governed us and
kept us in bondage.
9. Born in sin does not mean live in sin, we have the ability to choose to live for God or to please
the flesh.
10. Life is in the mind that is set of things of the Spirit. If you continue to set your mind to those
things of the flesh, we are at enmity with God.
11. The flesh, you cannot please God and we cannot serve two masters.
12.we are no longer in debt to the flesh one we give our lives to Christ
13. We must mortify the deeds of the flesh and be governed by the Spirit of Christ.
14.The power of the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the grave and we embody the same Spirit.
15. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the place of power and righteousness.
16. We are justified by God.
17. No one can lay charge to God’s elect.
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18. The Holy Spirit gives us life, quickens our mortal bodies.
19. Paul says that we are obligated to live our lives for Christ who died for us.
20. Flesh must die a spiritual death in order for us to live for Christ.
21. Living a worldly lifestyle is death but living by the Spirit is life.
22. We gain sonship in God if allow the Spirit to lead and guide us.
23. When I surrender my live to Jesus I give Him governance over my life.
24. As sons and daughters of God we have the right to call Him Abba Father.
25. Because we are made free we must live the example of freedom before others.
26. We are no longer in bondage and are not returned to bondage and fear, for we have received
the Spirit of adoption into the intimacy of God. Verse 15
27. We have a Spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit as a witness of our becoming the
children of God.
28. Those of us who give our lives over to Christ have part in His inheritance.
29. As heirs of God and joint with Jesus we also share in the suffering and we will be glorified
with Jesus.
30. We are God’s creation and we eagerly wait for the manifestation of time when we are
revealed as the sons of God
31. Life will not be a bed f rose petals as a Christian. For to reign with Christ we must also suffer
with Him.
32. If Christ suffered, how can we expect not to suffer? If the world hated Jesus, how can we
expect the world not to hate us as well?
33. There is a time coming that all of our suffering will be exchanged for glorification in Christ
Jesus.
34. We cannot be separated from the love of God by anything or anyone. Not even death and
separate
35. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our prayer lives because we are earthen vessels and we
may pray for earthly things that are not for our heavenly good.
36. According to the will of God the Holy Spirit searches our hearts and lifts our needs before the
Lord.
37. Best verse for me is Romans 8 :28 And we know that all things work for good to them that
love God and are called according His purpose.
38. We are predestined, called, justified, and glorified, all because Jesus loves us.
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39. Creation cries out in the suffering of its past and present state waiting for the glory of God to
come.
40. We are saved by faith, the hope of things to come.
41. God gives liberally according to his will (knowing what is best for us), not according to our
wants.
42. God took the steps to furnish a way to restore us back to Himself by sending His son to die
for our sins
43. Because God is for us those who believe in Him no one can be against us.
44. I am more than a conqueror because I am in Christ Jesus and because He loves me.
45. God spared nothing to bring us back in right standing with Him. Even and unto the giving of
His only begotten Son to die on the Cross.
46. God gave His Son and will not withhold anything from us.
47. In all that God does for us, is so the we will bring glory to Him.
48. We are like sheep we need a shepherd, we need a Savior
49. In spite of our weaknesses and our unwilling subjection to vanity we have hope in God
Through Jesus Christ.
50. We have the “firstfruits” of the Spirit (vs 19-23) we have a yearning for the coming glory to
be revealed in us
51. I am persuaded by the gospel that I am safe in Christ and not matter what comes against me I
am delivered out of it through Christ.
52. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I can live with confidence although I have struggles
they are for my good and preparing me to meet God in the glory to be revealed.
What does this text reveal as to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
The Holy Spirit works to keep us afresh where God is concerned. It works so we do not
forget who God is and what He is about. Not only that, the Holy Spirit acts as confidant, a
freedom-fighter on our behalves, the Holy Spirit is a watchman for us much like a shepherd to
fend of the wolves and other predators who seek to eat of our flesh. The Holy Spirit is a teacher,
counselor liberator from sin and death, He is a companion and comforter and the Holy Spirit
helper a helper. the Holy Spirit is a negotiator who knows how to present our case before the
Lord. The Holy Spirit is power from on High. And this power will raise up from the grave just as
it did Jesus, By the Holy Spirit we will changed us in the twinkling of and eye, so that we can
reign with Him. The Holy Spirit indwells and gives us new life in Christ Jesus and keeps us until
the day of redemption.
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What does this text reveal regarding how you should act for the sake of Christ, his church,
others, or yourself?
In Romans chapter six talks about not continuing in sin because Jesus has died to cover
our sins and shaving been forgiven we must learn to hate sin. Paul says we cannot serve two
masters, and we cannot please God while living in Sin. We must strive for Holiness and to strive
for perfection before the Lord. We find in chapter eight that we are to walk after the Spirit so not
to give in to our fleshly desires but we will have that war between flesh and Spirit. Not all fleshly
desires are wrong or sinful but we must not allow ourselves to give in to overindulgence. Chapter
thirteen the Bible tells us to obey civil law as it is the ordinance of God. We are the examples of
what is good, what is right and wrong and we must be the example of this in all aspects of our
lives. We must also show forth humility, Godly love, and we must work to live in harmony with
our brothers and sisters.
Identify Lessons Learned from Meditating on Romans 8:
Romans chapter eight tells us that God is for us in spite of past mistakes or current
struggles. Jesus died peradventure, for us while we were yet sinners to cleanse us from our
unrighteousness and to reconcile us back to God so that we will be presentable to God.
All that we go through, pains, heart aches, trials and tribulations is nothing compared to
the coming glory that what God has in store for us. God is mindful of us and is aware of
everything that concerns us. Even that which we perceive as wrong or of the enemy God can use
it for our good. Every moment we spend in God’s Word is an opportunity to draw closer to Him.
We must work while it is day because night is coming and our job is to preach the Gospel to the
world before night comes.
We are heirs and joint heirs of Christ and the same power that raise Jesus from the dead
will raise us up. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalves as we pray and as God searches our
hearts because even our best prayers are inadequate. We sometimes do not know how or what to
pray. Best verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them that are called according to His purpose”. It is just good to know that loving God causes
things to work for our good in our favor, the good the bad the ugly according to our perceptions,
are all for our good.
Gods knows us before we were formed in our mother’s womb and we were predestined to
be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus that he might be the first son among many brethren.
Those of us who have been predestined have been called and the called have been justified and
the justified are glorified. We have been set up to be God’s elect. So, who them can condemn us
or separate us from the love of Christ, nothing and no one can separate us from the love of
Christ?
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It is written and we know that what is written by God is unchangeable. “It is written that
we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” but in all these things
we amore than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
Discussion Board Responses 1 Wk.4
Hello Rita
What does this text reveal as to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
I like the way you liken the Holy Spirit to the GPS. It does guide us and sometimes it
seems at pertinent times when we are not aware of the Spirit being at work in us or a situation
concerning us He leads in the right direction. Hallelujah! When we have the Holy Spirit working
on the inside of us it we become seed bearing fruit. Our characters change as we are connected to
the vine we will Produce much fruit (John 15:5).
The Holy Spirit is amazing and works to as you say, “comfort the flesh”. It is like the
father of the prodigal son welcoming us back home. The Spirit stays with us all the time and
keeps us before the Lord as we often do no know when and what to pray for.
Jesus left the Holy Spirit as a comforter because the flesh would run a muck if we did not
have the guidance of the Holy Spirit running interference on our behalves.
We who have given our lives to Christ, certainly do walk different paths than those who
live the ungodly lifestyles. The ungodly are flesh pleasers and we know that flesh cannot pleas
God. I am so grateful for having being adopted into God’s family.
What does this text reveal about that which we should praise, thank, or trust God?
There is nothing we could do to earn any part of the gifts we get from God. God forgives
us and does not allow anyone to lay a charge of condemnation against us, that is a lifetime of
praise right there. We are free indeed through the unselfish act of Jesus giving His life for our
liberty. You referenced Rom. 7:25 when Paus is showing gratitude to God knowing the war or
struggle is real. The flesh is subject to its sinful nature but Paul has chosen to be subject to the
law of God. This is how we are to be because God has given us the choice and when we choose
wisely we too will be grateful in like manner.
Identify lessons learned from meditating Roman 8.
I love your statement about being new! Though once dead, we have been made alive,
“not reorganized, not refurbished” but new, not a new version of something old and updated but
new. And the I am assertions are great. Thank you for that. It is good when we know who we are
in Christ and can boldly say I am who I am in Christ Jesus.
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WEEK 5
Journal 5
For Journal 5, I want you to set aside 30–60 minutes in your week this week
and apply the thesis of Whitney’s book, Praying the Bible. I would
recommend choosing one of the following passages to pray through—Psalm
23, Psalm 139, Romans 8, or Hebrews 11—but feel free to choose whichever
passage you want. After spending this time praying through Scripture, I want
you to reflect on the experience and consider how you could implement this
discipline into your spiritual regimen on a regular basis.
WEEK 5
SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN 1 INSTRUCTIONS
Complete the following parts for Spiritual Growth Plan 1. This assignment must total 1,000–
1,250 words and must follow current Turabian formatting.
Part 1: Spiritual Discipline Practice
In Part 1 of this paper, you will create a growth plan for the coming 3 weeks. In this plan, you
will describe how you will better incorporate 2 spiritual disciplines into your everyday life and
routine. The first of the disciplines will be your choice, but it must be one of the disciplines
found in Donald S. Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.1 (Fasting) For the
second discipline, you will choose between (Scripture intake) and prayer.
In this section, you must create a plan for integrating these disciplines into your life so that you
can build spiritual discipline into a habitual practice in your life as you pursue godliness.
Part 2: Battling Temptations
In Part 2 of your paper, you must create a plan to fight the temptations that are common in your
life. In Module/Week 2, you wrote a spiritual assessment that outlined some of the common
temptations in your life. In this section of the paper, you will address how you are going to
combat these temptations. Some temptations are robust ones that regularly lead you astray, and
others are temptations that you successfully fight against daily. In either case, create a plan to
continue this battle (or start this battle). In order to accomplish this task, you must first define
your temptation (e.g., lust, covetousness, pride, anger, gluttony of food or drink, envy, laziness,
gossip). Next, identify the common causes that lead you into temptation. Finally, create a battle
strategy regarding how you are going to engage in the pursuit of holiness.
1 The following texts can be used to supplement your knowledge on the historical, spiritual disciplines that
are commonly recognized in the field: Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco, CA:
HarperCollins, 2009); or Dallas Willard, Spirit of the Disciplines (San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 2009).
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Part 3: Guarding against Blind Spots
In the last part of your paper, address the concept of building fences in your life against
temptation. Perhaps you do not struggle with something now, but how will you prevent yourself
from falling into sin in the future? What fences are you going to build into your life to protect
you from falling into future temptation? Allowing things to pile up to the point that I don/t
want to deal with them.
This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 5.
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Journal 6
For Journal 6, consider how you can “embrace the awkward” as described in the course videos
to cultivate authentic, lasting, and true Christian community. Be specific, as this must relate to
your actual life and not some theoretical life you think you might live in the perfect future.
Embracing the Awkward
This is a good subject. I think this is one of our biggest problems when situations get
awkward. We tend to back up for fear of how we should handle such situations or if we will be
accepted or rejected as we move forward.
I associate with a lot of small community of churches and I love to connect with the
Pastors and their congregations. They always have such warmth and welcoming spirits when we
fellowship.
There is one particular Pastor and wife team (the Greens), that I fellowship with and
unbeknownst to me they were having some personal issues. One night as I was praying they
came to mind. I did not know at the time they were having personal issues but the Lord
instructed me to go and wash their feet. This was awkward to say the least. I have washed feet at
my church during communion services, but to go to someone else’s and wash feet was a strange
thing for me because that was not one of their practices.
When I called the Mrs. Green to talk to her about washing their feet she was astonished. I
said to her, to talk to her husband and get back to me. After the conversation, I was wondering
how I would carry out the process. When she called me back with her husband’s answer, it was a
resounding yes, come on. Then I said to myself, Lord this is real. isn’t it.
We talked and set a date for the following Sunday for me to go over and do as the Lord
had instructed me to do. When his congregation found out what was going on they were
somewhat in awe and expectant of a move from God.
When the day came I was still nervous and wondering how to proceed, when I felt a
quickening in my spirit. I greeted the Pastor and he said, Pastor Vaz go ahead and bring the word
for us. I was amazed at the way that they had received this gesture from the Lord being wrought
through me.
What a wonderful experience, Pastor and Mrs. Green embraced each other and steadied
themselves for the feet washing process. Then the Lord said to them through me, whatever it is
the that the enemy has stolen from you, the Lord will restore not many days hence. When all was
said and done the Mrs. Green wept and her husband consoled her.
The next day, Mrs. Green called me and said you could not have known what we were
going through and I thank you for being obedient to the Spirit of God. She went on to tell me
about the issue that had befallen them and I was so glad that I pushed beyond myself to do as
God had instructed. Pastor and Mr. Green were desperately in need of a touch from the Lord in
His divine humility. The washing of the feet as He did His disciples (Jn 13:1-17), was a sign of
being cleansed and purified for the call of God. What the Greens were experiencing was such
that one or both of them may have harbored some deep-seated anger, resentment and ill thoughts
against their perpetrator, that could have taken them out of the spiritual characters. But I pray the
deeper meaning of it all will carry them until their change comes.
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Dr. William Curtis, Liberty University Course Presentations: Accessed November 27-29, 2019.
Dr. Ben Foster, Liberty University Course Presentations: Accessed November 27-29, 2019.
Dr. Nathan Smith, Liberty University Course Presentations: Accessed November 27-29, 2019.
Discussion Board Forum 3
Thread: In two parts, and based on Why We Need the Church to Become More Like Jesus, what do
you think Hellerman would say are the hallmarks of biblically-rooted, discipleship? Secondly, I
am interested in how you see his thesis applied in your context for discipleship.
Hallmarks of Biblically-rooted Discipleship
The title of chapter eight is “Lose the Story, Lose the Community”. This is why we need
the church to become more like Jesus because we have lost the story pf Christ and Him crucified
on other things, We have tried so many methods of bringing people into the church until we have
lost the relevance of the story of Christ. Church is a very good place for people to come to and if
we are not out there pointing the way to the church, we end up preaching to people who have
already confessed their faiths. If we are constantly preaching to the choir, we are not fulfilling the
Great Commission. Looking at the ratio outlined in chapter one concerning regular church goers
we are falling well short of what we should be doing in our church communities and that tells me
that we are falling short in the hedges and highways.
We need the church to be more like Jesus because we are weak and left to our own
auspices to present the true message of God. we might well leave much of it out. We must stand
on the foundation of Jesus Christ in order to lead others to Christ. Everything we do in our
representation and reflection of Christ should point right back to Christ because He is the one
who died for the sins of the world. We can only tell the story, and even then only through the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was a disciple maker and some of His purposes for discipling was, 1. To teach His
disciples to be able to continue the story of how God gave His only Son to die on the cross, to set
the captives (us) free. 2. To tell the story of how God had raised Jesus again from the dead and
that Jesus is indeed alive, not dead. 3. We are not called to comfort and as Jesus walked among
the people so must we also, compelling them to come and to teach them the way of Christ
I believe that Hellerman would count being born again as a hallmark of biblically rooted
discipleship. How can we teach what we do not know or example what we do not believe in. We
must accept Christ as our personal Savior, learn of Him and get rooted and ground in the
relational word of God.
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I think Hellerman would see truth and love as roots of discipleship. Faith comes by
hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17), so, we must present the truth in love to
them who will hear that they might yield unto Christ, the pillar ground and truth of God’s word.
The Gospel truth is infallible and without disputation, though many have tried but have been able
to substantiate their claims against the truth of God’s word. Just as men have spent their lives
studying and teaching God’s word, there are me who have devoted their lives to disproving the
truth of God’s word. The bible says that it is with love and kindness that we have been drawn
(Jer. 31:3). We have been made aware of Christ and how He died upon the cross but we have not
been whipped and or tortured into receiving Him. God has given us the choice to receive Christ
as He has made it known to us that He sent His Son in love to purchase our freedom (Jn. 3:16).
Fellowship, and connectivity are other biblical roots of discipleship. We are not to forsake
ourselves from assembling with others. Dr. Nathan Smith points out in his presentation, that we
are many members of one body and we need each other to function together. In doing so we get
our teaching, modeling and training from each other. The eye cannot hear, the ear cannot smell,
and the feet cannot do the work of the hands. God has formed the body in ways that the members
can work in tandem with each other and with differing gifts that will allow us to complete the
mission (1 Cor. 12:12-27).
I think another biblical based hallmark Hellerman would consider is our work ethic.
When we work together we can get more done than on our own. As Dr. Curtis stated in his
presentation, if he teaches ten and then those ten teach ten more, he believes that they will reach
many as time goes on. This requires us intentionally going beyond our own personal ideas and
putting our trust in God to guide us in the roles that He has set for us and for us to operate in the
gifts that He has given us or where he has joined us to the body.
My Personal Context of Discipleship
Personally, I see the hallmarks of biblically-rooted, discipleship as teaching, modeling
and laying the foundation of Christ in all we do as we represent Him. Even if the church body is
made up of different cultures, races, ethnicities and so on God is the head, and the body operates
as the head ordains. After all, not every part of the body looks alike or functions the same but
they are uniquely formed and fitly joined together for the purpose of the call to the Great
commission and for the purpose of Spiritual Formation, or the renewing of the mind.
Again, I believe that we must be born again. Being born again helps us to make the
connection with God. Once the word has been heard and has pierced the heart of the ones God
has set to reach at a particular time, the doors of the heart is open to be ministered to. Hellerman
gives a wealth of information in his book “Why We Need the Church to Become More Like Jesus”. I
found many hallmarks of biblically-rooted discipleship. We are called to go outside of ourselves to
present Jesus and Him crucified. It is not our jobs to make people believe in Jesus but to present Jesus in
the light that the Holy Spirit casts through us, then we will prosper in our discipleship making.
The church must intentionally exemplify love and kindness, truthfulness, patience and we
must put Jesus first. Paul said, follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul was making it
clear that he was not he way but that Jesus is the way to salvation.
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Helleman, H. Joseph, Why We Need the Church to Become More Like Jesus, Wipf and Stock:
Eugene OR. 2017
Dr. William Curtis, Liberty University Course Presentations: Accessed November 27-29, 2019.
Dr. Nathan Smith, Liberty University Course Presentations: Accessed November 27-29, 2019.
Replies: In your replies, I want you to focus on the second part to the question above. As your
peers reflect on how to apply Hellerman's thesis in their context for discipleship, I want you to
point out areas of strength in their applications of this thesis and weaknesses in their
understanding of his thesis.
Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday. Your replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on
Sunday.
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Discussion board 3 wk. 6
Hello Ronald
For me the numbers do not matter as much as teaching and reaching the whole man,
equipping him to proclinate the cause of Christ that would resonate throughout the whole world.
I agree with you that the individual growth is important and the individual is part of the unit
bringing in gifts that will help build the community.
The growth of the church body is important for the construction of the family and when
family matures and have occasion to go out they will be equipped to plant water and compel
others to come.
I agree with you that the whole body needs to be engaged (including leaders) in the
process of becoming more like Jesus for community. When the people outside of the church see
that the church is functioning together then they will want to know what we are about. So, our
hallmarks are to be seen through the attributes of Jesus Christ, basically the Fruit of the Spirit.
Love and kindness, loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind and loving others as we
love ourselves. This is the power of unity and where the power to compel others to come, comes
in.
Our hallmarks are the reproducible acts of love and unselfishness that will carry
throughout the church community and abroad.
I will be praying for you in your transition. I know that God would not allow you to move
unless he has great things in store for you and the people you will both connect with and serve. I
am sure that you will add to and receive new growth also to your new family as you endeavor to
do God’s will.
Hellerman would find discipleship an absolute necessity in the walk of every Christian. The
largest hallmark he would hold to is that discipleship is more for the growth of the church
community than it is for the individual person (number do not matter as much as teaching and
reaching the whole man equipping him to proclinate the cause of Christ that would resonate
throughout the whole world). This is not to say one should not be growing individually, but he
over and over again brings scriptural backing to defend his idea that the growth of the church
body is the main aim while the individual comes right behind it. Another point the author would
make is that discipleship happens in such a way that all members are part of the family of God. A
person is not just discipling someone who is younger in the faith, but they are partaking in
allowing their brother or sister in Christ to experience more of him. This reveals a new concept
of family loyalty and what it looks like to take care of one's "family" (not just their biological
family). So, if the church then is a family and not a business, the way a church disciples looks
completely different. It is more patient, the visioned product is not always the end goal, et cetera.
If the community and the family are more important than individual discipleship, the way one
disciples does not look the same. By this I mean that certain things hold precedence. For
example, the church will disciple in such a way that change is necessary because the body will
change with time and is not controlled by single individuals. Another example would be that
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theology would matter for the entire community/congregation, not just for those who are at the
top or leading because the whole community holds importance. When discipling a whole group
everyone must partake in lessons, ideas, and trials. This translates directly into how all of the
authors theories apply to my own discipleship. In my own life I am thankful for the community
that I have which shows patience and long suffering with me. At the moment I am in the process
of "switching communities," as I am about to move cities in the new year for a job at a church in
Columbus. This leaves me wedged between the community I have now, while also beginning to
forge new relationships in a community I am about to enter. What doesn't change either way is
the overall connection to others in which we care for each other’s growth. I am being sent from a
community that wishes to see me off well and being received by a community that wants to
welcome me well. Discipleship is able to happen even in the midst of changing communities,
which the author talks so much about.
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Hi Rita Howard
Why we need the Church to Become More Like Jesus, what do you think Hellerman would say
are the hallmarks of biblically rooted, discipleship?
Joseph H. Hellerman starts out defining Church as a gathering or assembly of people. The author
goes on to say "We experience the presence and power of God in our daily lives as individuals when we
are relationally rooted in a local church community that is sold out to bring the love of Jesus to a broken
world and to bring broken people to the cross" (170).
Ministry is about human beings, not about any me, myself or I. When we join the local Church
there are commitments, we make to our brothers and sisters in Christ. (32) to serve with gifts from God.
Hellerman claims he "Experience the compassion of Jesus most deeply when a brother in Christ exercises
compassion toward me. God disciplines me most effectively when that disciple meets me in the form fof
a loving rebuke from a trusted sister in the Lord" (20-21).
With God-given gifts and the Holy Spirit's working power, each believer serving one another will
have a productive relationship. The whole body grows, and we flourish in our lives when we exercise our
spiritual gifts within the community with one another. (16).
Hellerman says why we need the Church to become more like Jesus for the following reason:
God connects us for community fellowship. ( 16(16). Once born again, the fruit of the Spirit is deposit in
each one of us. We can learn, practice, and experience these fruits in the context of social relationships.
The Church needs to become more like Jesus, especially when our brothers and sisters imitate those who
are exercising the fruit of the Spirit, whether it be goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-
control, love, joy, peace or patience (16). The writer notes, "Through the firing of our mirror neurons,"
one can experience God fruits by "being join and held together" (19).
If the Church does not become more like Jesus, we will not experience the fullness of God or His
purpose for our lives. Gordon Cosby states that "A spiritual journey focused primarily upon my
'uniqueness' as an individual will never produce a joyous person" (159 )159). This joy lives and is found in
believers who have the presence of God in them.
How you see his thesis applied in your context for discipleship.
I am a practicing powerfully Christian that attends a local church weekly. The whole body has
many working parts that consist of members with their various God-given gifts. Hellerman writes, “When
we serve one another the gifts God has given us, the Holy Spirit works in and through the different
members. The deacons are in place, the musicians are playing, the ushers are at their post, and choir
members are singing, while pastor or minister waits for their cue to preach the Word.
The author writes, “For the body to grow and for me to thrive, I need to be relationally
connected with others in my church” (13). The corporate worship, prayers, singing, fellowship,
communion, and celebration is needed discipleship to help me grow individual as well as a whole. The
pastor builds the corporate structure on love. We have fellowship time when we can meet and greet our
brothers and sisters every Sunday before the sermon, and after the lecture, the pastor always says, “Tell
someone you love them and mean it.” This is the time we as members can hug and share the love. The
pastor calls the members of our church, “God’s Way family.” He stresses that all members need to be
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accountable for either Bible Study on Wednesday nights or Sunday School for their teaching. He
continues to say be not only hearers of the Word, but we must be doers of the Word to become more
like Jesus.
I attend corporate services to worship, praise, uplift the Lord, encourage others, hear the Word,
pray, and fellowship with others. We have “mirror neurons” in the church that mimic the activity as well
as certain sayings. We need to become more like Jesus so that we can imitate His love and compassion
for others. The influence of the church is more of Him and less of us.
Philippians 2:3-5 says it best “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in
humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interest but each of you to the interest of the
others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus.” Jesus has the
same mindset as His father too. We could not attain this Scripture with Jesus.
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WEEK 7
SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN 2 INSTRUCTIONS
Complete the following parts for Spiritual Growth Plan 2. This assignment must total 1,000–
1,250 words and must follow current Turabian formatting.
Part 1: Spiritual Discipline Evaluation
In Part 1, evaluate how well you did in implementing your first Spiritual Growth Plan. Honesty
is an important part of this evaluation. Focus on the successes and failures of following through
with your first growth plan and what changes you would make if you were to plan to focus on
these again. Better time management include some light exercise after prayer. Not stressing over
time being exact
Part 2: Battle Strategy
In Part 2, assess how your battle against temptation, went over the past few weeks. Were you
successful in overcoming your temptations, Less TV going to bed earlier most nights removal of
the two games from my computer, morning meditation with journaling and prayer, or were you
overcome with temptation? If you were successful, reflect on what made you successful here as
compared to failures of the past. If you were unsuccessful, focus on what triggered your
capitulation into sin.
Part 3: Spiritual Discipline Plan
Soon, this course will come to an end. Create a spiritual discipline plan for the next month (or,
better yet, the next 12 months). In this plan, identify the spiritual practices you want to
implement into your life so that they become a part of your spiritual habits. This must focus on at
least the next month of your life. Be specific regarding what disciplines you are going to
implement, how/when you are going to implement them, and then when/how you are going to
assess whether you have been successful in this implementation plan. Home prayer time with my
mother to include reading together.
This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 7.
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WEEK 8 GOSPEL FLUENCY PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS
You are required to share the Gospel at least once, with a person who does not self-identify as a
Christian. This experience must take place during the course of this 8-week course—you may
not report about an encounter that took place before the course started or will take place
after the course ends or that you submitted for another class. It is recommended that this
witnessing experience take place with someone that you know and already have a relationship
with.
For this project, you must write at least 1,000 words using the headings bolded below:
1. Context: Here, you must describe the context of this conversation in at least 200 words.
2. Gospel Content: Here, you must describe the Gospel content of your conversation and how you
went about entering into a Gospel conversation. This must take up at least 300 words.
3. Fluency Critique: Here, I want you to reflect on what you shared with this individual and critique
your own clarity of the Gospel presentation. After the conversation, are there strengths or
weaknesses in your presentation of the Gospel? This must take up at least 400 words.
4. Gospel Fluency as Spiritual Discipline: I want you to consider how you can make Gospel fluency
a discipline in your everyday life and conversations. Here, I want specifics, rather than vague
ideas about how you could do this. I’d like to hear more about concrete plans for doing this. This
must take up at least 100 words. Living with my mother With early Alzheimer’s and dementia
Keeping her focused-on God.
This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.
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