Discipleship to become more like Christ is favorite topic among Protestants. But it does not motivate much new behaviors in the churches I know. Becoming more like Christ is not something we do on our own, as usually taught. It happens to us as the Spirit reshapes our innermost being and we grow in love, joy, peace and patience. My insights draw on developmental psychology and the work of James Fowler. Luther, too, thought in terms of stages of faith. I focus especially on moving from Stage 3 Confirmed Faith, to Stage 4 Convicted Faith, to Stage 5 Close to God.
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