Discipleship & Spiritual Formation focuses on becoming more like Jesus through lifelong growth in faith, character, and obedience. Explore Bible-based articles on following Christ, spiritual disciplines, prayer, Scripture reading, community, and the habits that shape a mature disciple. You’ll find practical guidance for mentoring, accountability, repentance, perseverance, and cultivating a gospel-centered life in every season. Whether you’re learning the basics of discipleship or helping others grow, these resources equip you to form disciples who love God, love people, and live on mission.
Nine readers share practical ways they spend time with God—through prayer, Bible reading plans, journaling, and accountability. Their habits range from structured notebooks to simple daily rhythms that encourage consistency and reflection.
December 18, 2005
By Naomi Kouns On the last leg of a flight from Ethiopia to the United States last year, the airline confused a seat assignment and 7-year-old Addison Fehl was seated not with his parents, but next to a stranger. During the boarding activities Addison read aloud from his book, while the man sitting next to him looked on, smiling. You can imagine the man”s surprise when the plane began to taxi and Addison closed his book, clasped the man”s hand and said, “It”s time to pray.” Addison is right, it is time to pray. Not corporately or as a church,
Daily devotions that move from duty to delight To read the 23 testimonies shared in this week’s issue is at once to be humbled and encouraged. The examples show everyday believers pursuing prayer and Scripture in practical, disciplined ways. The point is not a regimen driven by guilt, but a relationship that shapes daily life. Everyday people develop creative, disciplined habits for prayer and Bible intake. Guilt-driven devotion tends to fade, but relationship-driven devotion grows. Mary’s lifelong familiarity with God’s Word shaped her faith and praise. By Mark A. Taylor To read the 23 testimonies shared in this week’s issue
November 30, 2005
Jim Putman views the church through a coach’s eyes and argues “winning” means making disciples. He challenges leaders to return to relational discipleship and to face hard realities without giving up on the mission.
Walter Mischel’s marshmallow experiment shows how self-control shapes long-term outcomes. Discover why self-discipline matters and explore practical ways to strengthen self-control through crisis, learning, and everyday decisions.
September 18, 2005
By James Girdwood God asks us to copy him””to be like him. He said, “Be perfect” (Matthew 5:48); “be holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16); “love” (1 John 4:11; Hosea 3:1). The book of Hosea itemizes more than 40 ways God expresses his love for his spiritual wife, Israel. Jesus, too, asks us to follow his example. He specifically asks us to copy him in service and in love (John 13:12-17, 34). My Christian parents always taught me to copy Jesus. It seems so natural. The Bible says as much in 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 1 Peter 2:21.
Many Christians know they “ought” to read the Bible and pray daily, but still wonder how. This column invites readers to share simple devotional routines and practical helps. Email a paragraph with “devotions” in the subject line by October 3.
A pastor reflects on nearly losing his calling to administrivia and urgency. Using a mountain-rescue “self-arrest” lesson, he offers practical disciplines and boundaries to reclaim prayer, focus, and presence with people.
June 22, 2005
Mark A. Taylor warns against “style over substance” in church life and points to The Jesus Proposal’s call for relationship with Jesus—grounded in scriptural truth—to avoid hollow legalism.
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