Reflection: The Key to Discipleship that Bears Fruit that Lasts

“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”

— Galatians 4:19

Paul wasn’t satisfied that they believed in Jesus.

He longed for Christ to be formed in them.

That is the heart of discipleship — not attendance, not performance, not emotion… formation.

One of the core principles of Formative Spirituality is this:

In every situation, there is a formation opportunity.

We are always being formed — the only question is into what.

There is no neutral moment in the spiritual life.

We are either being formed into the image of Christ

or de-formed by the forces that shape us away from Him.

Every human being carries formation potency — the God-given ability to give form and receive form.

When I write this, I am giving form.

When you read this, you are receiving form.

Nothing in our lives is passive.

Everything is shaping us — for Christ or away from Him.

• Worship can form us.

• Culture can form us.

• Trauma can form us.

• Screens can form us.

• Conversations can form us.

• Silence can form us.

• The Holy Spirit can form us.

• And yes — so do other spirits.

  
  

  (alcohol, entertainment, ambition, comfort, busyness, pride, escapism)

The tragedy of the modern Church is not that people aren’t attending.

It’s that people attend faithfully and remain unformed.

They sit in worship but remain spiritually stagnant.

They read the Bible but resist transformation.

They say they love Jesus but are being de-formed by fear, ego, distraction, and cultural idols.

Why does this happen?

Because corporate discipleship is not enough.

Church services inform.

Lecture style Bible studies instruct.

small groups often insulate.

But none of those seem to be forming Christ in us in ways that are bearing fruit and making Christ attractive.

Christ is not formed by content alone.

Christ is formed through relational, accountable, Spirit-led discipleship.

Jesus modeled this:

He preached to crowds,

but He formed people in small circles and personal relationships.

He taught the multitudes,

but He discipled the 12,

mentored the 3,

and had one-on-one conversations that shaped identity and destiny.

Formation is always:

personal, relational, accountable, reflective, Spirit-dependent.

That is where formation potency thrives — not in rows, but in relationships.

Why Spiritual Formation Stagnates

• Because people assume attendance = transformation

• Because churches prioritize programs over discipleship relationships

• Because we consume spiritual information but rarely surrender to spiritual formation

• Because “other spirits” shape our desires more than the Holy Spirit

• Because formation is treated as optional instead of essential

We don’t lack sermons.

We lack spiritual companionship.

We don’t lack Christian content.

We lack Christ-shaped lives.

Reflection Questions

1. What is actually giving form to my soul right now?

2. Where have I substituted information for formation?

3. What “spirits” am I turning to for comfort instead of the Holy Spirit?

4. Who is discipling me? Who am I discipling?

5. Where am I being de-formed — slowly, subtly, unknowingly?

6. Do I want Christ to save me, or to form me?

Final Word

If the Body of Christ wants revival, it will not come from crowds.

It will come from:

👤 one-on-one discipling relationships,

💬 truth spoken in love,

🔥 lives surrendered to the Holy Spirit,

🪴 people who allow Christ to take form in them, not just inspire them.

Christ did not say,

“Go and gather crowds.”

He said,

“Go and make disciples.”

Disciples are not mass-produced.

They are formed — slowly, deeply, relationally.

That is where the abundant life takes shape.

That is where Christ becomes visible.

That is where the Church becomes the manifest presence of His love in the world.

Check out the Ignite the Church Initiative at www.joycelynignites.com

Awakening Every Disciple. Activating Every Gift.