In a time of worldly turmoil and uncertainty, how can Christians remain faithful to God and make positive strides toward spiritual growth? The simple answer is, they must choose Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, thus welcoming the Holy Spirit into their life. Once they accept Jesus, they must turn from sin and allow the indwelling Spirit to guide them, beginning the process of spiritual formation and sanctification. While there are several methods to foster spiritual formation, this post will focus on the importance of spiritual self-awareness and Christian communal connectivity. I will provide a plan of action (POA) tailored for seminary students like myself, but the plan can be applied to all those seeking a faithful path to God’s grace and salvation.
Spiritual Self-Awareness
Before you can connect with others in faith and make a positive impact on their lives, you need to ensure your spiritual self is properly aligned. Self-awareness encourages spiritual growth and includes sanctification, which begins when you accept Jesus, as mentioned above, and invite the Holy Spirit into your life. Authors Lowe and Lowe describe spiritual formation as something that we integrate into who we are and what we do, thereby influencing the decisions we make.[1] Once this happens, sanctification through the Holy Spirit begins.
For context, spiritual formation is the process of becoming Christlike through self-awareness, discipline, and self-adjustments based on a solid theological foundation.[2] While similar, William Barrick, author of “Sanctification: The Work of the Holy Spirit and Scripture,” mentions that sanctification is the process of becoming holy and spiritually pure, thus conforming to God’s will.[3] Barrick mentions that in the original languages, Hebrew and Greek, the words for holy are qâdçs and hagios, respectively. However, to avoid getting “blogged” down in linguistic minutia, the important takeaway is that Christians must be intentional in their spiritual formation and protective of the Holy Spirit dwelling within, so that they can be transformed into their best image of Christ.
As stated, spiritual self-awareness happens after accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Scripture says,
to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (Eph. 22-24, Christian Standard Bible)
Every Christian has their own experience after accepting Jesus as their savior. I grew up in the church, accepting Jesus and Scripture as the truth, but it was not until I was a teenager that I understood what that meant. During a church camp when I was about 14, I remember following a large group of teens up a hillside to a backlit wooden cross at the hilltop, singing Christian songs together along the way. As we all moved towards the cross, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit fill me up like a warm cup of hot chocolate. It was that experience that I point to when the Spirit took hold of me and I began to conform to His will.
It’s important to emphasize that my experience was unique to me—not everyone’s path is as literal as a walk up the hillside. For instance, a loved one of mine, who identifies as agnostic, recently admitted that they feel God is pursuing them, though they remain resistant to committing their life to Him. They sent me a photo of a missing board on their backyard fence that resembled a cross. The board had fallen off while they were looking at it. Initially, they acknowledged it as a sign of God’s pursuit, but later dismissed it as a mere coincidence. I reminded them that if their first instinct was to associate the moment with God, perhaps it wasn’t coincidental at all.
Not all signs are as blatantly obvious as my family member’s, but rest assured, He is pursuing you! Jesus describes how God pursues us in Luke 15. The scripture says, “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). The rest of the passage, Luke 15:5-7, explains how God and heaven rejoice more over one lost sinner who repents, than over the ninety-nine righteous people. Repentance is not to be taken lightly. C.S. Lewis described it as eating humble pie, unlearning the self-conceit and self-will that come so naturally to us.[4] Once we recognize that we are saved through Jesus Christ by grace through faith, our sanctification continues throughout our lives. To strengthen this process, and because of our sinful nature and living in a fallen world, Christians must seek out other like-minded believers for spiritual growth and accountability.
God’s Pursuit
Christian Communal Connectivity
Christian communal connectivity is a mouthful, but it boils down to connecting with like-minded and faithful believers in Jesus Christ. Many passages in the Bible remind us to love and connect, as reflected in the passage referencing “iron sharpens iron,” which translates to Christians strengthening each other and providing accountability (John 13:34-35; Heb. 10:24-25; Prov. 27:17). Lowe and Lowe point out that Paul emphasizes communal connectivity in both Ephesians and Romans to show the needed relationships between Christians, Jews, and Gentiles to grow together in Christ.[5] This connectivity is critical for spiritual formation.
It is important to distinguish that the church is not merely a place to sing the latest Christian hits, tithe, and hang out, but rather a place to honor God and communicate with others as the Body of Christ. As the Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians about the church, “And he subjected everything under his feet, and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way” (Eph. 1:22-23). Later, Ephesians 4:16, Scripture describes how the body, His church, is fitted together to promote spiritual growth through support and love.
As highlighted, Christians need each other for support and accountability. In a recent study, Haussmann et al. found that the church can be a place to fulfill the human spiritual needs of the community.[6] The authors explain that churches strengthen a person’s spiritual aptitude through mutual caring, underscoring the need for spiritual communion in today’s fallen world. The Bible says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20). Now that we understand what is required for spiritual growth, Christians and spiritual leaders must develop a plan of action that will encourage continued growth and relying on the Holy Spirit, for assistance.
Plan of Action for Continued Spiritual Growth
Everyone in Christ, from a new Christian to a seminary student or a mature pastoral leader, needs a daily plan of action (POA) to grow spiritually. Before developing a plan, we must first understand the hold that sin has on each of us. True growth in the Spirit means turning from our sinful ways. This does not mean we will never sin after accepting Christ, as Jesus was the only perfect human. This does mean we continue to make strides to become holy. During a 1999 sermon, pastor Ray Pritchard said, “If sin were the color blue, we would be blue all over,” meaning we cannot stop sinning.[7] With that said, God understands the temptation of sin, as Jesus himself was tempted by the devil, but defeated sin (Matt. 4:1-11). However, those who accept Christ as savior have also overcome sin through the blood atonement of Jesus, and when we are tempted, God provides us a way out. Scripture says,
No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13)
Developing a POA & My Advice
When developing a POA, a new seminary student or faithful follower of Jesus focuses on continued spiritual growth through preparing, managing, and developing the skills and tools needed to thrive. Jesus reminds us in John 14 that God will assist with these tasks. The Word says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26).
Zacharias and Forrest stress that Christians must prepare their minds, hearts, and families.[8] If you are a seminary student, it is critical to know your Bible to properly apply your spiritual gifts to defend or proclaim God’s Word. The Bible says, “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Next, your heart must be right with God. Prepare your heart by studying the word of God daily with intention and focus. Zacharias and Forrest recommend a reading plan and a hermeneutical and eschatological study of the text.[9] Finally, the authors advise preparing your family for your seminary undertaking. Therefore, it is important to explain how God has called you to this task while also reassuring them that they are a priority.
In closing, there are many other recommendations I could suggest. Still, I encourage you to discover what fulfills and shapes your spirit by nurturing your relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Keep your cup half empty and stay humble, willing, and open to learning. Use the academic skills and personal experiences you’ve gained over the years to persevere. Remember, God’s got your back. Scripture reminds us through this Psalm, “I look up towards the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).
My prayer for those who are reading this post is that God will give you the strength, wisdom, and perseverance to accomplish all tasks so that He may be glorified. Remember, “a person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9). May God bless and keep you, Amen.
Barrick, William D. “Sanctification: The Work of the Holy Spirit and Scripture.” The Master’s Seminary Journal 21, no. 1 (2010): 75–92. https://tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tmsj21h.pdf.
Haussmann, Annette D., Olivia L. Odrasil, Stefanie Wiloth, Esther Hinz, Patricia Kerl, Jonathan Mylius, and Kathrin Ackermann. “Tradition and Transformation: Spirituality in Church-Related Caring Communities in a Pluralistic Society.” Religions 15, no. 3 (2024): 363. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030363.
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1952.
Lowe, Stephen D., and Mary E. Lowe. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2018.
Pritchard, Ray. “If Sin Were Blue.” Keep Believing Ministries. September 26, 1999. https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1999-09-26-the-truth-about-you/.
Yu, James. “Christian Spiritual Self-Awareness Promotes Spiritual Formation.” Pastoral Psychology (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00977-y.
Zacharias, Daniel, and Benjamin K. Forrest. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.
[1]. Stephen D. Lowe and Mary E. Lowe, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2018), chap. 8.
[2]. James Yu, “Christian Spiritual Self-Awareness Promotes Spiritual Formation,” Pastoral Psychology (2021): para. 1, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00977-y.
[3]. William D. Barrick, “Sanctification: The Work of the Holy Spirit and Scripture,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 21, no. 1 (2010): 180, https://tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tmsj21h.pdf.
[4]. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1952), 57.
[5]. Lowe and Lowe, Ecologies, 146.
[6]. Annette D. Haussmann et al., “Tradition and Transformation: Spirituality in Church-Related Caring Communities in a Pluralistic Society,” Religions 15, no. 3 (2024): sec. 4, https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030363.
[7]. Ray Pritchard, “If Sin Were Blue,” Keep Believing Ministries, September 26, 1999, https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1999-09-26-the-truth-about-you/, sec. 1.
[8]. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest, Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017), sec. 1.
[9]. Zacharias and Forrest, Surviving, 33.
Grace and peace,
Dr. D.
Founder, Faithful Application
