By: Pastor Joe Moore, Liberty University Theological Seminary Student
Spiritual formation lies at the very heart of Christian discipleship. To be a disciple of Jesus is not merely to follow His teachings externally, but to be inwardly transformed into His likeness (Romans 12:2, King James Version). The New Testament emphasizes that discipleship with believing in Christ and then being conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29, KJV). According to Putman and Harrington, thisis the process by which the Holy Spirit shapes the mind (head), transforms the heart, and gives the believer purpose (hands),[1] so that one may love God, love one another, and love one’s neighbor more fully. To support this process, this paper will examine the relationship between spiritual formation and discipleship, outline the three areas of spiritual growth, discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in the process, reflect on a personal growth assessment, and conclude with specific habits and disciplines for continued development.
Relationship Between Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Dempsey and Earley describe spiritual formation (and the goal) as, “the process of transformation that occurs as a believer becomes more and more like Jesus.”[2] In another writing, regarding discipleship, the same authors state, “in every phase of our existence – salvation, spiritual growth, service, suffering, and bearing fruit – God has created us to bring Him glory.”[3] They also define discipleships as, “abandoning the world and following Jesus.”[4] At its core, discipleship requires that a believer deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23, KJV). However, this “following Jesus” is not accomplished simply by external conformity, but by inward transformation. Spiritual formation is what Earley and Dempsey said enables us to “gaze into the face of Jesus so we may be transformed to think, act, feel, and look more like him.”[5] Therefore, spiritual formation is the inner work that makes discipleship possible.
Kevin VanHoozer describes the steps required for Christians, who on the outside look normal, yet are dysfunctional in that they are not conforming to the image of Christs, can begin to grow in His likeness.[6] True discipleship integrates the believers inwardly renewed by the Spirit and outwardly living as followers of Christ. In this way, spiritual formation fuels discipleship, while discipleship provides the context and purpose for spiritual formation.
Overview of the Three Areas of Spiritual Formation
According to Earley and Dempsey, “we are to love God totally with all our mind, soul, body, spirit, and to the full capacity of our strength.”[7] In other words, spiritual formation touches the whole person (as chapter 6 is aptly titled).[8] Together, these dimensions reflect the biblical command to love the Lord with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30, KJV).
Spiritual Growth of the Mind
The mind shapes how Christians perceive reality, interpret Scripture, and discern truth from error. Putman and Harrington state, “the invitation to follow Him, speaks to us at a head level.”[9] That means making a voluntary, mental decision to forsake all and follow Jesus. They further state, “when people make a decision to follow Jesus, at some level they must first know and accept who he is, even if they don’t fully grasp all that will be required of them as a disciple.”[10]
Developing a Christian worldview will enable the believer to, “set your affections on things above, not on the things on the earth” (Col. 3:2, KJV). Earley and Dempsey state, “following Christ means realigning your thinking away from the things of the earth and focusing on eternal values.”[11] Learning to think biblically will foster practices that feed the mind. Earley and Dempsey would classify this as the Upward Disciplines: taking in the Word of Christ, prayer, journaling, fasting, stillness. include systematic study of Scripture, theological reflection, and memorization of key passages.[12] By filling the mind with truth, the believer resists conformity to the world and cultivates the wisdom necessary for faithful discipleship.
Spiritual Growth of the Heart
The heart represents the seat of desires, emotions, and affections. Spiritual growth in the heart means aligning one’s loves with God’s love. Putman, et.al., state, “there must be a process of transformation in which a work takes place in our heart and affections.”[13] They further state that to grow in Christ, believers must respond the call of Christ and allow him to “unmake them and then remake them into His image.[14] Bob Smietana wrote, “The goal is to make disciples who become more Christlike, who act and love as Christ did.”[15]
This process of transformation allows faith to work through love (Gal. 5:6). Earley and Demsey state that the way to walk in daily transformation is by practicing the Inward Practices such as doing life together, being part of healthy small group, accountability, learning to love one another, and practice in the private places.[16] These disciplines heal wounds, reflect the love of Christ, and provide a sense of community in which to grow in Christ-likeness.
Spiritual Growth of the Will
The will concerns choices and obedience. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42, KJV), exemplifies the surrender of the human will to God’s purposes. Earley and Dempsey well said, “this is a partnership where God does his part and we do ours.”[17] Putman and Harrington call this our “call to action,” to be the “hands of Jesus.”[18]
Earley and Dempsey refer to this as the Outward Disciplines, which include praying for saved and unsaved, being a light, sharing the Good News, loving the least and loving your enemies.[19] Through these practices, the believer learns to yield control, embrace humility, and walk consistently in obedience to God’s Word.
The Role of The Holy Spirit in Spiritual Formation
The Holy Spirit is the agent of spiritual formation. While habits and disciplines provide structure, it is ultimately the Spirit who transforms hearts and minds. Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide believers into all truth (John 16:13, KJV), convict of sin (John 16:8, KJV), and empower obedience (Acts 1:8, KJV). Earley and Dempsey state, “through the power of the Holy Spirit we now have the power to make the right choice in Christ.”[20] Allowing the Holy Spirit to work within equips the believer to live faithfully, even in the face of adversity or the adversary.
Because of the Holy Spirit living within, believers have the “power to say no to the flesh” and are “obligated to be who we are, not who we used to be (Earley and Dempsey, 2018).”[21] They further state that “by submitting to him, we allow him, not the flesh, to call the shots.”[22] They go on to say, “the spirit dominated life is available in Christ. But it must be chosen.”[23] Without reliance on the Spirit, spiritual formation becomes self-reliant moralism rather than true transformation.
Personal Growth Assessment Reflection
The personal growth assessment highlighted both my spiritual strengths and weaknesses. My strengths lie primarily in both my commitment to Scripture and to serving others. I find consistent growth in the mindset, as I regularly study, read, and reflect on biblical truth. I also value opportunities to help others and contribute to the mission of the church.
However, my weaker points involve the disciplines of prayer and alone time with God. My spiritual life often becomes overwhelmed by activity, sometimes at the expense of intimacy with God alone. The intensity of life can crowd out practices that nurture the heart, leaving prayer inconsistent. Recognizing this, I realize the need to focus more on the habits of the heart that cultivate a relational dependence on God.
Developing Habits and Disciplines for Growth
To grow holistically, I must be intentional in cultivating new habits that strengthen weak areas while reinforcing existing strengths. To develop better habits of my mind, I need to stay committed to memorizing key Scriptures, maintain a daily journal, engage with others who are well-versed in the Scriptures. To better develop the habits of my heart, I know I need a crave out time to have a consistent prayer life, intentionally remember and recall the goodness of God in my life, and I need to learn to love others more. To strengthen habits of will in my life, I need to fast on a consistent basis and invite others to hold me accountable.
Conclusion
Spiritual formation and discipleship are inseparable realities of the Christian life. Discipleship calls believers to follow Jesus, while spiritual formation ensures they are transformed into His likeness from within. Growth in mind, heart, and will reflects the wholeness of the gospel and the total surrender God desires from His people.
While disciplines create pathways for growth, only the Holy Spirit can bring about lasting transformation. My own reflection highlights the need for greater balance, particularly in prayer and intimacy with God. By adopting intentional habits of the mind, heart, and will, I hope to move forward in loving God, loving others, and walking faithfully as a disciple of Christ.
Jim Putman, Harrington, Bobby, and Coleman, Robert E. DiscipleShift: Five Steps that Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Reflective, 2013), 46-51.
Earley, Dave and Dempsey, Rod. Spiritual Formation Is . . .: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Brentwood: B&H Academic, 2018, 6, 7, 51, 72, 77, 83, 84.
Earley, Dave and Dempsey, Rod. Discipleship Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great
Commission with Passion and Confidence. Brentwood: B&H Academics, 2013, 15, 22.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Putting on Christ: Spiritual Formation and the Drama of Discipleship.
Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. 8, no. 2 (2015): 147–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091500800203.
Smietana, Bob. Show Me the Way: What It Takes to Make Disciples. Insights: Discipleship
&Evangelism, 2016. https://research.lifeway.com/2016/06/09/show-me-the-way-why-churches-arent-making-disciples.
[1] Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps that Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples, (Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2013), 46-50.
[2] Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Spiritual Formation Is . . .: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence, (Brentwood: B&H Academic, 2018), 6, 7.
[3] Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Discipleship Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence, (Brentwood: B&H Academics, 2013), 15.
[4] Ibid, 22.
[5] Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 7.
[6] Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Putting on Christ: Spiritual Formation and the Drama of Discipleship.
(Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. 8, no. 2, 2015), 147–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091500800203.
[7] Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 51.
[8] Ibid, 47.
[9] Putman, Harrington, and Coleman. DiscipleShift, 47.
[10] Ibid, 47.
[11] Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 51.
[12] Ibid, 84.
[13] Putman, Harrington, and Coleman. DiscipleShift, 48.
[14] Putman, Harrington, and Coleman. DiscipleShift, 48.
[15] Bob Smietana, Show Me the Way: What It Takes to Make Disciples. (Insights: Discipleship & Evangelism, 2016). https://research.lifeway.com/2016/06/09/show-me-the-way-why-churches-arent-making-disciples.
[16]Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 84.
[17] Ibid, 83.
[18] Putman, Harrington, and Coleman. DiscipleShift, 51.
[19] Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 84.
[20] Earley and Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is . . ., 72.
[21] Ibid, 77.
[22] Ibid, 77.
[23] Ibid, 77.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 