Spiritual Growth Plan
Connie Joe Campbell
DSMN 520 Spiritual Formation
December 2022
Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1
Spiritual Discipline Practice…………………………………………………………………… 2
Battling Temptation ……………………………………………………………………………. 4
Guarding Against Blind Spots …………………………………………………………………. 5
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………...6
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1
A spiritual growth plan is the purpose of this writing. Not just any kind of plan, but one
that is intended for the use of the respondent. Admittedly, there is a level of surprise attached to
the assignment.
After serving Christ for more than thirty years, one expects to be a few steps up on the
spiritual ladder. Is that really the case? Does a span of time as a Christian prepare one for the
obstacles of life that inevitably come? Honestly, the answer is probably not. Ouch, that honest
answer stings a bit. From a position of curiosity, one might wonder if other writers have similar
feeling?
Whitney tells a story about a short mission’s trip in which the village visited in Africa
was quite carnal. Even the church pastor was involved with lying, cheating, adultery, and theft.
Several inquiries revealed the small church did not have a bible. Whitney deduced; without the
input of God’s Word the villagers were unaware of the ongoing impact of sin to Christ
followers.1
Believers attempting to follow Christ without knowing how Christ wants one to conduct
themselves is a terrible handicap. Much like the story told of an American traveler in Mexico.
The tourist decided to drive his motorhome to a historical site in the mountains. Perhaps, it goes
without saying, the drive was a tragic mistake. Unable to navigate the mountain roads with a
motorhome, the travelers got lost because they did not read the road sign correctly. Eventually
their mistakes ruined the vacation plans.
Whitney writes, many of us have more Bibles in our homes than entire churches have in
some impoverished or isolated parts of the world. But it’s one thing to be unfamiliar with
1 Donald S. Whitney. Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated). NavPress. 2014. 22.
2
Scripture when you don’t own a Bible; it’s another thing to be unfamiliar with Scripture when
you have a bookshelf full of Bibles.2
Spiritual Discipline Practice
Fasting is a spiritual discipline not practiced often thru local churches. At least, it seems
to not be discussed at any great length. The respondent has participated in many fasts over the
years. Always with a specific purpose in mind, and for three days or less. The intake of water is
needful for reasons of health thus preventing an absolute fast in senior years. God honored the
various sacrifices and answered many prayers during times of fasting.
Recently, within the past several months, the Holy Spirit is encouraging regular fasting
for spiritual clarity. During prayer times, bible study for small groups, conversation with the
spouse, and ministry team… fasting seems to be an ever-present subject.
It probably is not coincidental that fasting is one of the disciplines for a Discipleship
Ministries class. God does have a way of directing spiritual interests for believers. A quick
Google search delivered a several surprises.
First, Amazon listed seventy-one thousand titles of the subject of fasting. Seemed as
though many titles were out of print, spoke to hormone adjustments, weight loss, to promote
digestive health, intestinal cleansing, and that was the end of title searches. Secondly, only a
handful of titles mentioned spiritual reasons. Third, titles that did speak to spiritual purposes
were copyright dates of five to twenty-five years old.
It was no surprise to see Elmer Towns excellent text, Fasting For spiritual Breakthrough3
2 Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, 22.
3 Elmer Towns, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, 1996.
3
a readers favorite. Another interesting text, God’s Chosen Fast, 4authored by Arthur Wallis had
good back-cover matter. Both were purchased and read for this assignment. Along with the
content from Whitney, the respondent feels well versed with the purpose of fasting. The methods
of fasting. The expectation of fasting.
My wife and I agreed to fast as a couple. Only water and coffee will be consumed.
Beginning 5pm Saturday evening and ending at 5pm Sunday evening. One fast per month as a
starting point. Our purpose is for spiritual guidance with ministry positions in the local church.
God is faithful, Christ is merciful, and the Holy Spirit works all things for good as we trust Him.
The first date is 12/18/22.
The second discipline for discussion is a combination of disciplines. Prayer and bible
reading together. I recently became aware of another textbook by Donald Whitney. Titled
Praying the Bible. Whitney explains, many believers become discouraged with prayer because
they repeat the same prayer over and over.5
The current plan consists of the first hour of the day with God. I pray personal prayer for
ministry, family, and discernment for fifteen minutes. Next, I journal for fifteen minutes. Lastly, I
have a written bible, no phones, or electronics. A one-hundred-page binder for study notes and
inspiration that comes by praying the bible. I began in Psalms. With one psalm per day for prayer
and contemplation. Thirty minutes is given to praying the Bible. So far, I am enjoying this time
with the Lord. This is my second week. I plan to teach a 6-week class starting mid-January for
praying the bible. Utilizing the Whitney text, Praying the Bible.
Battling Temptation
4 Arthur Wallis. God’s Chosen Fast, 1968.
5 Whitney, Praying the Bible, 11.
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Apostle Paul advises, no temptation overtakes us but that which is common to man. But
God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But with every
temptation, God provides a way of escape (1Cor. 10:13). When Paul penned this passage, he was
in Ephesus. The Corinthian church was planted on the previous missionary journey and Paul had
not seen the Corinthians for two years. Imagine, the great apostle telling the Corinthians thru
letter God would not let them be overtaken by temptation.
What did Paul not say? He did not say that temptation was sin. Temptation must never be
confused with sin. That said, my temptation is pride. Many years of success in various endeavors
make it quite easy to slip into a state of pride.
One measure I have used successfully to keep pride in check is the only co-lead in church
settings. In the secular arena I have been retired for a year so there is less temptation now. For
example, the teaching of small groups is a team effort with the associate pastor. So, any
correspondence is addresses to Pastor Doug and Joe. Fund raisers and lesson plans are co-signed.
My spouse knows I have been working hard to keep pride in check, so she helps to
remind me often, why we serve. Also, who we serve.
Guarding Against Blind Spots
Currently three are safeguards in place for the issues I am aware of. I am, however, aware
of an area that could easily turn into a blind area. Financial success has been readily available to
me with work, investments, real estate, and capital appreciation. For many years I have been less
than wise with resources.
5
We are faithful in tithes and offerings. Love gift when emergencies occur for friends and
family. It is hard for me to say no to worthy causes. I have asked my wife to monitor my
expenditures. Part of my prayer times deal with asking God to keep me open to help but also
wise with the finances we have.
I do believe Paul spoke clearly to modern believers in that life happens, but Christ will
not allow the issues of life to derail our Godly calling.
6
Bibliography
Towns, Elmer S. Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough. Regal Books, 1996.
Wallis, Arthur. God’s Chosen Fast. CLC Publications, 1968.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated). NavPress.
2014.
Whitney, Donald S. Praying the Bible. Crossway, 2015.
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