DSMN 815
Liberty University John W. Rawlings School of Divinity
Personal Spiritual Growth Plan
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Ministry
Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries
by
Brian Nulf
Lynchburg, Virginia
December 12, 2021
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
Spiritual Disciplines as a Means of Godliness.............................................................................2
Assessment Results.........................................................................................................................4
Customized Growth Plan..............................................................................................................6
Mark of Discipleship 1: Worship.........................................................................................6
How I Will Fuel My Affections for God ................................................................7
Mark of Discipleship 2: Word.............................................................................................8
How I Will Fill My Mind with Truth ......................................................................8
Mark of Discipleship 3: Community/Fellowship................................................................9
How I Will Show God’s Love To My Church and Community .............................9
Mark of Discipleship 4: Proclamation/Mission.................................................................10
How I Will Share God’s Love as a Witness in the World ....................................11
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................12
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................13
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Introduction
Most biblical Christians agree that the church’s mission is to “make disciples” of Jesus
Christ (Matthew 28:19). But what is a disciple? The word “disciple” simply means a follower of
Jesus Christ and is a prevailing theme throughout the Gospels and the book of Acts, being used
at least 262 times.1 This seems simple enough; however, it is not long that a follower of Christ
finds themselves distracted by the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ephesians 2:1-3). Jesus said
that the Christian life is based on an unyielding focus and purpose to “seek first the kingdom of
God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).2 Jesus, in arguably his most important sermon, is
telling his disciples that this is their agenda, that this must be their focus. However, the human
tendency is to be overly enthralled with the world in which one lives. In contrast to a Christian’s
worldly intoxication, the spiritual disciplines come alongside and help provide a holistic and
eternal perspective that one needs to understand the fullness of a life in relationship with God
and others. And in so doing, the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life become a divine
antidote and a means to Christlikeness.
This paper seeks to explain the role of the spiritual disciplines as a means to personal
godliness, assess where a person is, and then develop a plan for personal spiritual growth. An
effective spiritual growth plan requires practical and purposeful spiritual disciplines. The right
strategies and goals are useless if you have the wrong disciplines. Ineffective spiritual disciplines
will undermine an effective plan all day long. And effective spiritual disciplines will put you on
the path of ultimately achieving the goals of godliness and realizing one’s purpose to make a
difference in the Kingdom of God.
1 Michael J. Wilkins, “Disciple, Discipleship,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, electronic
ed., Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 175.
2 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the English Standard Version (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway, 2008).
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Spiritual Disciplines as a Means of Godliness
Spiritual disciplines are a means of godliness. “The doctrine of the disciplines,” says J.I.
Packer, “is really a restatement and extension of classical Protestant teaching on the means of
grace (the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper).”3 These spiritual practices help
to make space for God in one’s life. Whitney, in his book, provides one of the most direct
answers to the most crucial question of “why the spiritual disciplines.” He states emphatically,
“Discipline without direction is drudgery.”4 With this statement, Whitney is calling attention to
the fact that disciplines of the Christian life must not simply be self-serving and self-
perpetuating, but instead, they must be focused on a clear purpose if they are to move from
drudgery to delight. Paul states the aim is simply to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7).
The goal of training spiritual disciplines is godliness, holiness, or Christlikeness. In other words,
the spiritual disciplines are the God-given means to use in the Spirit-filled pursuit of godliness.
If one is not training for godliness, there is the danger of drift. 2 Peter 3:17-18 says,
“You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with
the error of lawless people and lose your stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Peter gives a warning to the readers that there are no excuses for
being “carried away” or drifting as they had been taught from both the Old and New Testaments
(2 Pet 3:2) and knew and had been warned that they would need to be vigilant.5 Although one is
told elsewhere in the New Testament that the Lord is “faithful” and “guard” and “keep us from
3 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (Colorado Springs,
CO: NavPress, 2014), x.
4 Ibid., 1.
5 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman &
Holman Publishers, 2003), 400.
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stumbling and blameless” (2 Thess. 3:3; Jude 24), it doesn’t mean that one can be lackadaisical
and presume upon God to do it all. Paul tells us to “work out our salvation with fear and
trembling” (Philippians 4:12). Personal salvation brings responsibilities, and if they are
neglected, one will immediately begin to drift. The age-old adage rings true: If you are not
moving forward, you are moving backward. Stagnation and neglect equate to drift and death.
The spiritual disciplines are not to be done in one’s own power but in cooperation with
the Holy Spirit. We are “to work out our salvation…but it is God that works in you, both to will
and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Fee says, “For Paul, the Spirit, as an
experienced and living reality, was the absolutely crucial matter for Christian life, from
beginning to end.”6 As disciples of Christ, one is not left to themselves to try to reach the high
goal of Christlikeness. There is a “force that is no less than God himself”7 that empowers and
even gives one the desire to do the spiritual disciplines. Paul characterizes the experience of the
Holy Spirit in the disciple as “walking,” being “led,” “living,” and “keeping in step with the
Spirit” (Gal. 5:16, 18, and 25). Paul is echoing the language of the Old Testament (e.g., Ps.
119:1) where “God’s people are called to live out their lives as a journey in the way of the
Lord.”8 As Fee himself notes, “the Spirit of God is also the Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:4;
Phil. 1:19).9 Christ in dealing with the fears of his disciples that were to be soon left alone that
they would not but “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will
not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you
6 Gordon D. Fee, God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2011), 1.
7 Gerald F. Hawthorne, Philippians, vol. 43, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated,
2004), 142.
8 Michael J. Gorman, Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross (Grand Rapids, MI;
Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001), 54.
9 Fee, God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul, 837.
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the things that are too come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to
you” (John 16:13-14). Haykin states that “in the surrounding context Jesus is assuring his
disciples that they will not be left alone when he returns to the Father after the cross and
resurrection. Jesus will still be present with them, but not now via his incarnate presence but
rather by means of his Holy Spirit.10
In summary, we have a purpose for the spiritual disciplines, and that is to become
Christlike. By training to be godly, one keeps themselves from drifting and being caught up in
the distractions of the world and the schemes of the devil. And the good news is, a disciple
doesn’t do it on one’s own, but in cooperation with the presence and power of the Spirit of God.
Assessment Results
Assessment results are for one individual and were based on four Marks of a Disciple,
each having ten questions. Each question was answered by either “strongly agree” resulting in 6
points, “mostly agree” resulting in 5 points, “somewhat agree” resulting in 4 points, “somewhat
disagree” resulting in 3 points, “mostly disagree” resulting in 2 points, and “strongly disagree
resulting in 1 point.
The individual’s score for Worship was 53 out of 60 (88.3%). This category was his
highest score. His lowest scores were in questions two and eight. Questions #2 (“somewhat
agree”): “I arrive at the church prepared to worship with others, having prayed, confessed, and
focused on Christ?” Question #8 (“somewhat disagree”): “My worship includes inviting people
to worship with me on a regular basis?” This individual had high marks in attending worship
service, sacrificial giving, and serving in the church's missions.
10 Michael Haykin, The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality (Evangelical Press,
2007), 22.
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The individual’s score for Word was 51 out of 60 (85%). This score was his second-
highest score. His lowest scores were in questions three, six, and ten. Question #3 (“somewhat
agree”): “I am consistently obeying everything Jesus and Scripture command?” Question 6
(“somewhat disagree”): “I invite people to church and Bible study on a regular basis?” Question
#10 (“somewhat agree”): “I have a daily devotional time where I pray, read, meditate, and
memorize God’s Word?” This person had high marks in regularly reading his Bible, attending
small group Bible study, and serving in church ministries.
The individual’s score for Community/Fellowship was 49 out of 60 (81.6%). This score
was his third-highest score. His lowest scores were in questions four, nine, and ten. Question #4
(“somewhat agree”): “I invite others to share and use their spiritual gifts in ministry at my church
or other ministries on a regular basis?” Question #9 (“somewhat disagree”): “I purposely create
opportunities to meet with others to be faithful to the Great Commandment?” Question #10
(“somewhat agree”): “I look to meaningfully meet the needs of others practically or spiritually if
I am able?” This person had high marks in his faithfulness to the church and its fellowships.
The individual’s score for Proclamation/Mission was 35 out of 60 (58.3%). This score
was his lowest score. His lowest scores were in questions one, four, and five. All being in the
category of “somewhat disagree.” Question #1: “I feel confident in sharing my faith with a non-
Christian?” Question #4: “I seek to invite and invest in at least one person or family each year?”
Questions #5: “I have gone on a mission trip in the last five years?” He also had three questions
(#3, #9, & #10) in the “somewhat agree” category. This person had high marks in having
relationships with unbelievers and serving in outreach ministries of the church.
This individual scored the highest out of all that took the assessment with a score of 188
out of 240 points (78.3%) and is doing above average. His average score for all four marks of a
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disciple was 47 out of 60 (78.3%). The overall assessment is that this individual is faithful to
attending church, Bible study, and reading his Bible. He is active in the church attending
fellowships and participating in various missions and outreaches of the church. He is strong
when it relates to doing things within the context of community. He did not score anything less
than a “somewhat disagree,” which is a score of three. The primary weaknesses of this section
showed that he does not individually take the initiative to do ministry, invite people to church or
Bible study, or share the gospel.
Customized Growth Plan
This customized growth plan is for a 60-year-old white male who is semiretired and
motivated to give more time to the Lord and ministry. Based on his assessment, the customized
plan is aggressive and focuses on his individual weaknesses in each of the four categories.
Mark of Discipleship 1: Worship
A disciple is one who worships. This worship includes both corporate and personal
worship. “To be human is to worship.”11 The word “worship” means “worthship” or
worthiness.12 God is worthy of one’s worship, and there is a dangerous tendency for discipline to
become mechanical and monotonous in the disciple’s life. One’s aim is not simply to know God;
but to love God, and the more we read his Word, the more we delight in his glory. The aim in the
spiritual disciplines is similar. As one worships, prays, fasts, and gives, a disciple is fueled for
affection toward God. It is impossible to separate true faith in Christ from profound feelings for
11 Daniel I. Block, For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2014), 1.
12 R. P. Martin, “Worship,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,
Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 1117.
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Christ.13 So as a disciple of Jesus, one must intentionally worship, pray, fast, and give to fuel
one’s affection for God.
How I Will Fuel My Affections for God
1. Unless providentially hindered, I will attend worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday)
with others even when traveling on business and vacation (Hebrews 10:23-25).
2. I will arrive at church at least 10 minutes before service, ready to worship, having
prayed, confessed, and inclined my heart toward hearing and responding to Christ
(Psalm 95:6).
3. I will give intentionally, generously, sacrificially, and cheerfully an offering (tithe)
that is a proportional amount of my income (Matt. 6:24; Luke 11:42; Malachi 3:18ff).
4. Unless providentially hindered, I will attend the monthly Lord’s Supper, where I will
celebrate God’s redemptive plan through the sacrificial death of Jesus (Mark 14:22-
24; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 2:46-47).
5. I will fast once a week or once every few weeks; instead of eating breakfast, lunch, or
dinner, spend that hour praying and reading God’s Word. Once accustomed to this
practice, plan to fast for two meals in one day, and then for an entire twenty-four-hour
period once a quarter during the year (Matt. 17:21).
6. Every quarter, I will take the Marks of a Disciple Assessment Survey on Worship.
Mark of Disciple 2: Word
A disciple is one who abides in the instruction of the Word of God. Whitney states that
“No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word.”14 One cannot grow in
13 A. W. Tozer, The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship, ed. James L. Snyder (Ventura, CA: Regal,
2009), 108.
14 Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life, 22.
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Christlikeness without feeding on a steady diet of the milk and meat of the Word of God (1 Pet.
2:2; Heb. 5:14). The life of the disciple is the life of a learner. One must constantly attune one’s
ear to the words of the Master as he teaches through his Word. The Holy Spirit, through
Scriptures, transforms a disciple into godliness. Consider a plan for reading, memorizing, and
learning God’s Word, but do not forget that disciples do these things not for information but for
transformation. One’s goal is never just to believe God’s Word, but the goal is to obey God’s
Word.
Plan for How I Will Fill My Mind with Truth
1. I will have a daily quiet time reading God’s Word (Deut. 17:19; Neh. 8:1-6). You
might consider using a Bible reading plan as a starting point:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/.
https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/. http://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-
reading-plans/
2. I will memorize God’s Word (Psalm 119:11). Look for verses, paragraphs, or even
chapters that seem particularly significant and have an application to your life. Then
commit them to memory. Start by memorizing a verse a week, and then eventually
more. As a starting point, you might commit to memorizing the monthly Scripture on
the front of the bulletin.
3. I will consistently attend Sunday school or a small group or D-group Bible study each
week or every other week (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 2:15). Information on small groups and
study groups are available at the Welcome Center.
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4. I will take at least one truth from the Sunday morning message (Luke 11:28; Rom.
10:17; 1 Tim 4:17). Write this truth on the space provided on the back of the bulletin
and talk about it with at least one person on how it may apply to your life.
Mark of a Disciple 3: Community/Fellowship
A disciple is one who is in fellowship with other believers. A disciple is in community,
meaning one is connected to Christ’s body, the church. The Bible flies in the face of American
individualism and church consumerism, prompting a disciple to be committed to a local church
where one can share life with other followers of Christ.15 It provides a place for mutual
accountability under biblical leadership for the glory of God. To follow Christ is to love his
bride, the church. It is biblically, spiritually, and practically impossible to be a disciple of Christ
apart from total devotion to a faith family.
How I Will Show God’s Love To My Church and Community
1. I will commit to being an active member of a local New Testament church (Heb.
10:23-25). If I have not already, I will attend the Membership Matters class.
2. I will give a regular and honest account of my choices, priorities, and temptations to a
godly and wise companion who points me to Christ (James 5:16; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb.
3:13).16
3. I will seek to know and exercise my spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:8-10; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Pet
4:10-11). Online spiritual gift surveys are available at the Welcome Center, or you
can do an online version: https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/
15 Gorman, Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross, 215.
16 Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us (Westmont, IL:
IVP Books, 2009).
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4. I will show hospitality by making it a purpose to attend at least one church function or
a ministry outside the church to meet someone I don’t know (Matt. 22:37-40; Rom.
12:13).
5. I will be hospitable by sharing my home, food, resources or simply inviting someone
to dinner after church at least once every quarter (Mark 12:30-31; Rom. 15:7; Phil
2:4; Heb. 13:1-2).
Mark of a Disciple 4: Proclamation/Mission
God’s will in the world and for a disciple of Christ is to spread the gospel, grace, and his
glory to all peoples (Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 4:3-6). Jesus was sent into the world, so he sends all
those who believe in him.17 The clear commission and emphases of Christ for every disciple is to
make disciples not just generally but to one’s neighbor and all nations. So regardless of where
one lives, our lives our to impact every nation, tribe, tongue, and people in the world (Rev. 13:7-
8). This mission is not just for full-time missionaries but for every disciple of Christ. Every
disciple has been given a commission to be on the front lines of the supreme mission in all of
history.
How I Will Share God’s Love as a Witness in the World
1. I will write down the names of at least three unbelievers God has placed in my life and
begin to pray specifically for God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to draw them to
salvation and to use me to share the gospel with them (Luke 24:46-47; Rom. 1:16).
2. I will be involved in one of the local missions work of the church at least once every
quarter. Examples include the Food Pantry (1st and 3rd Tuesday’s), Zacchaeus Men’s
17 Jerram Barrs, Learning Evangelism from Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009), 1.
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addiction ministry (every Friday), and the many opportunities in the Helping Hands
ministry.
3. I will equip myself to share the gospel by taking the Make A Difference (MAD) lifestyle
evangelism training. In training, you will learn how to start gospel conversations and how
to use the Pocket League Gospel of John tracks (Gospel of John’s available at Missions
Center).
4. Purpose to share the gospel at least monthly. Share encounters during the last Sunday
night of the month at least quarterly.
5. I will go on a local or overseas mission trip at least once every five years. Local mission
trips are normally one to three weeks. International mission trips to Kenya and Tanzania
are normally fourteen to seventeen days (Information available at the Missions Center).
6. I will seek to invite and invest in one person or family each year. Examples are people
you intentionally meet, a person/family from our food pantry, addictions ministries, or
Helping Hands ministries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the spiritual disciplines are necessary to personal and cooperate
Christlikeness. This godliness is first accomplished by understanding the importance of the
spiritual disciplines and then knowing the marks of a true disciple. Secondly, the strengths and
weaknesses of the individual are determined through an assessment. This assessment asks vital
questions about the different aspects of the disciple’s life and gives critical information to assess
their strengths and weaknesses. Thirdly, this information will then be used to create a detailed
individual spiritual growth plan. The plan will highlight the individual’s strengths while
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providing specific, practical, and measurable ways to improve on one’s weaknesses. For further
study on the work of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the spiritual disciplines, I would recommend
the book by Gordon Fee, “God’s Empowering Presence.” I also found the “Spiritual Disciplines
Handbook by Calhoun a valuable resource to help in writing a personal spiritual growth plan.
The many appendixes are worth it alone.
Bibliography
Barrs, Jerram. Learning Evangelism from Jesus. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009.
Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical, Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation.
Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Block, Daniel I. For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.
Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us.
Westmont, IL: IVP Books, 2009.
Haykin, Michael. The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality.
Evangelical Press, 2007.
12
Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. Vol. 43. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word,
Incorporated, 2004.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Electronic ed. Baker Reference
Library. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.
Fee, Gordon D. God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.
Garland, David E. 1 Corinthians. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003.
Gorman, Michael J. Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross. Grand Rapids, MI;
Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude. Vol. 37. The New American Commentary. Nashville:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003.
Tozer, A. W. The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship. Edited by James L. Snyder. Ventura,
CA: Regal, 2009.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated). Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014.
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