Written AssignmentSpiritual Formation and Discipleship Assignment
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Feb 20, 2024
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Written Assignment: Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Jonathan Geukgeuzian
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500-B02
Discipleship Ministries
Kion Bolden
January 18, 2022
Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….1
Three Areas Related to Spiritual Growth …………………………………………………………3
Personal Growth Assessment ……………………………………………………………………..4
Area of Improvement (Habits & Disciplines) …………………………………………………….7
Introduction
The process of becoming conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and
the sake of others is known as spiritual formation. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV). The Holy Spirit, who leads us on our journey toward unity with God, fuels spiritual formation. “Spiritual formation is an ongoing process of moving from one degree of glory to another,” Dempsey and Earley say. It is becoming more beautiful as the image of Jesus becomes more beautiful.
1
It is, in some ways, the shedding of un-Christ like layers. The positioning of oneself in a continuous cycle during which those layers are continuously being rejected until Christ calls them home. “They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts,” Paul warned the Galatian church. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25 KJV). Likewise, he tells the church at Corinth, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
).
The goal of spiritual formation is to improve one's relationship with God on a consistent basis. Striving to become more like Him. Discipleship deals with the development and maturing of one’s faith as it necessitates the willingness to give up “the things of the world and following Jesus.”
2
Disciples are mentors and leaders entrusted to cast the net and develop other disciples as they are commissioned to follow Him, as “I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19 1
Dempsey, Rod, and Earley, Dave. 2018. Spiritual Formation Is... : How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence
. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.
2
Earley, Dave, and Dempsey, Rod. 2013. Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence
. B&H Publishing Group.
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NIV). In his book “Spiritual Formation: Ever Forming, Never Formed,” Peter Nelson compares spiritual formation to a journey through the seasons, which is important to believers because it suggests that Christianity is more than just accepting Christ as a savior; it also provokes the transformational theory that is associated with discipleship. “The journey of spiritual formation takes us through seasons of the soul,”
3
Nelson says. Disenchantment and even resentment might arise after a period of initial fervor followed by an episode of eager study. Pressures and temptations that we never expected to face in the earlier, easier seasons of spiritual life inevitably
do. The journey with Jesus takes numerous turns, just like a long road trip, and we have no idea what awaits us around the next corner.
4
Who we are in Christ is the cornerstone of spiritual formation, and we base this solely on God's word. We can spiritually grow and form to become more like Christ by using the scriptures as a foundation. Our spirits are the most significant aspect of who we are as spiritual beings. As a result, everyday dedication to development is required, opening our hearts to a closer relationship with God. As disciples, we are no longer bystanders in our spiritual life, but active participants with God. According to Dempsey and Earley, our relationship with God “grows as we pursue him.”
5
3
Nelson, Peter K., 2010. Spiritual Formation: Ever Forming, Never Formed
. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, p. 8.
4
Ibid, p. 8.
5
Dempsey, Rod, and Earley, Dave. 2018. Spiritual Formation Is... : How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence
. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.
Bibliography
Dempsey, Rod, and Earley, Dave. 2018. Spiritual Formation Is... : How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.
Earley, Dave, and Dempsey, Rod. 2013. Disciple Making Is ...: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. B&H Publishing Group.
Nelson, Peter K., 2010. Spiritual Formation: Ever Forming, Never Formed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.