SESSION 3
How People Grow: Spiritual and Human Development
December 1 | 6PM–8PM
Core Learning Resource: Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ by Dallas Willard
Overview
Session 3, How People Grow: Spiritual and Human Development, explores the stages of human and spiritual growth through a biblical and theological lens. This session equips disciple-makers to recognize how people mature in Christ over time, understand the relationship between emotional and spiritual health, and adapt their discipleship approach to meet people where they are on their journey.
Primary Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Biblical Vision of Growth and Maturity. Learners will explore Scripture’s portrayal of spiritual formation as a lifelong process of becoming like Christ in character, wisdom, and love.
- Identify Key Stages of Human and Spiritual Development. Participants will gain insight into how people grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually across different life stages, and how this impacts discipleship.
- Recognize the Integration of Emotional and Spiritual Health. Learners will reflect on how emotional maturity supports spiritual growth and learn to address common barriers to transformation in a pastoral way.
- Adapt Discipleship Approaches to Meet People Where They Are. Participants will develop practical strategies for guiding others through the spiritual journey with wisdom, patience, and contextual awareness.
Learning Activities
Required
- Participate in the in-person Session 3 gathering (November 3, 2025).
- Read Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
- Read “Understanding Bloom’s Taxonomy: A Guide to How We Learn”
- Read “Deep Learning” by Perry Shaw
- Participate in the Book Discussion on Renovation of the Heart (Date TBD)
- Write
- A transformation testimony. Write a short testimony about a time when God renovated an area of your inner life.
- Rule of Life. A personal Rule of Life that includes practices to shape heart, mind, body, and relationships.
Optional
- Read The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
- Read The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
- Read Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard
- Read What the Best College Professors Do by Ken Bain