DISCIPLE

Part 3: The Disciples’ Formation

August 17, 2025

---

 

Galatians 4:19 (NIV) My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…

Romans 8:29 (NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) …being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Why We Struggle to Let God Form Us

• We move God’s .

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Be still, and know that I am God.

• We God without God.

John 15:5 (NIV) Apart from me you can do nothing.

• We mirror the more than we reflect the .

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

• We valleys that could us.

Psalm 23:1–6 (NIV) The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

• • Avoiding the valley leaves us with .

Mark 4:1-17 (NIV) Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

• • Avoiding the valley leaves us with .
  • Avoiding the valley turns us into .

4 Habits that Shape the Inner Life

1. Loosening the grip of the flesh.

Matthew 6:16–18 (NIV) When you fast…your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Acts 13:2 (NIV) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…

Application: Skip to Seek

Choose one meal this week to skip, and use that time to pray over one specific area where you need God’s clarity or breakthrough.

1. – Meeting God without distractions.

– חשה / chashah

to be silent, to make quiet, to be inactive

Mark 1:35 (NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Psalm 62:1 (NIV) Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 [There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak.

Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Application: 15 in the Quiet

Set a 15-minute block this week to be alone with God.

No phone, no music, no agenda, and simply invite Him to speak.

1. – Trusting God enough to stop.

Exodus 20:8–10 (NIV) Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… On it you shall not do any work.

Mark 2:27 (NIV) The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV) There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God…whoever enters God’s rest also rests from their works.

Application: Stop to Trust

Pick one day or half-day this week to stop working, worship, rest, and do what refreshes your soul. Treat it as an appointment with God.

1. – Walking in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Romans 8:14 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Application: The Morning Question

Begin each day this week with this prayer: “Holy Spirit, what do You want to do in and through me today?” Then act on the first prompting you sense.