Spiritual Formation 201_Part 1 - The Good & Beautiful Life

Explain the “Four Components of Change”

So I want to take a minute this morning to explain what Dallas Willard called the “Golden Triangle of Spiritual Transformation” and then James Bryon Smith coined the phrase the “Four components of change” which is simply a framework that we can use to help us be consistent apprentices of Jesus. And if we stick to this framework, we WILL change. The whole goal of Christian Spiritual transformation is of course to become like Jesus. But is that even possible? Well it is, but the how is very important.

How do we become like Jesus?

Many will say different things about following Jesus. Some preacher will say just listen to their sermons every week. Others will say to join a small group and that’s how you get discipled. Even others would suggest that it’s just by praying and reading their Bible every morning. While these suggestions aren’t bad, I believe what people need are a framework for discipleship.

A framework is an understanding of core principles of growing as an apprentice of Jesus that is (1) general enough steer the nominal Christian in the right direction and (2) specific enough to customize the process for each individual. Frameworks can’t be step-by-step because the Christian life can’t be boiled down to that. Many believe discipleship is more cyclical in nature. Meaning there’s seasons of hard harvesting, and then joyful reaping – a repeating cycle of sanctification. But there has to be a consistent framework that carries you through each season.

Most churches have too broad of a framework. I’m not exaggerating – I’ve seen about 100 churches use language like “connect, grow, serve” (win, equip, grow, multiply) sound familiar? to describe their discipleship model. The issue is, we have to clarify what these words mean. It’s not specific enough. What do we mean? How do we equip people? (the reason for these classes I am teaching to help equip you with the things you need to grow and help the church multiply. But just to say equip is too generalized.

So if a “step-by-step” framework is too specific, and a “win, build, equip, multiply” model is too broad, then what’s the answer.

The Triangle of Transformation.

James Bryan Smith calls this framework The Triangle of Transformation or the Four Components of Change. 

I’ll quote Smith to summarize the framework in a sentence:

“We cannot change simply by saying, ‘I want to change.’ We have to examine what we think (our narratives) and how we practice (the spiritual disciplines) and who we are interacting with (our social context).”

Dallas Willard uses language of the mind, body, and social context. Smith expands on this concept by saying change happens when we (1) change the stories in our minds, and (2) engage in practices with the body, (3) in reflection and dialogue with our social context who are on the same path, (4) all under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1. Adopting the Narratives of Jesus

This is all about the changing of one’s mind (the narratives we believe) to let your thoughts be centered on the things of God. How we adopt the right narratives of Jesus is through reading God’s Word, reading books on growing in faith, listening to podcasts or sermons, and many other ways to be taught through the mind how to follow Jesus. This concept is centered around Romans 12:2 when it says “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” This is the first and most important step in this framework, because as A.W. Tozer puts it, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” 

2. Engaging in Soul-Training Exercises

Other language for soul-training exercises are spiritual disciplines or spiritual practices. Whatever language you prefer, they are actions one takes to become more like Jesus. This is where apprenticeship really takes shape. Imagine a plumber apprentice just sitting in a classroom for 500 hours learning through their mind to become a master plumber, but they never actually put their hands on a sink to change out a faucet. Would you trust them to renovate your bathroom? Heck no, right? You need to step outside the classroom of learning about Jesus, to engage in hands-on exercises like prayer, fasting, silence & solitude, simplicity, celebration, Sabbath, community, serving the poor, hospitality, and whatever else Jesus did. 

3. Participating in Community

This is an essential aspect of spiritual formation, but it’s also hard to do well. Participating in a thriving church culture that encourages each other, bears up one another’s burdens, celebrates together, and suffers together is needed to be transformed into the image of Christ. A church community can check in with us when are listening to the wrong narratives or slacking in soul-training exercises in order to get us on track. 

4. Being Empowered by Holy Spirit

All of these things are woven together by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Many individuals try their hardest to change just by their willpower. Some actually do change. But the transformation required by Jesus is only realized through the Holy Spirit working in our minds (narratives), in our bodies (exercises), and social context (church community). He can be active in our hearts when we read a Christian book on spiritual formation or this blog that you’re reading. He can give us renewal in the midst of practicing the discipline of fasting, or speak to us through the mouth of another Godly friend. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit, this is just another dead religion. 

Specific & General

This framework is specific because after these four points are taught to one who desires apprenticeship of Jesus, they will immediately know what they need to do next for their own context. It is also general enough for their whole church community to get behind, so there’s no excuse for anyone to say it’s not for them. In the body of Christ, each individual member knows what their sin patterns are and how to mature from it. 

Introduction (5 minutes)

Let me start this morning by asking: “Who here wants to live a meaningless, dull life?”

Of course, no one does. I have never met a person whose goal it is to ruin his or her life. Most people long for a life that is good, beautiful, and worth living. We all want joy, We all want purpose, and we all would like peace — but how we try to achieve those things matters a lot! When we try to achieve that kind of a life using our own best thinking, it often doesn’t turn out so well.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn once said,

“The meaning of earthly existence lies not, as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering… but in the development of the soul.”

That’s a pretty powerful truth. In a world that tells us the point of life is to “get more,” the Gospel tells us the point of life is to become more — not more richer, but more like Christ. And in that, we will indeed experience a life that is full and abundant.

In our day, there is a difference between being happy and being joyful. Happiness is a temporary condition based on our circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is an inner disposition not based on external circumstances and therefore not subject to change.

The old devotional writers. people like John Wesley, used “happiness” to describe the good and virtuous life. True happiness meant that a person was also good. Wesley said famously,

“You cannot be happy without being holy” - John Wesley -

This is the sense in which I am using “happy” to describe the good life.

So this morning I want to explore some of what the Bible says about the false path to happiness and the true path to the good and beautiful life in Christ.

1. The False Narrative: “Happiness Comes from Following the Principles of the World” (5 minutes)

The world constantly feeds us lies about what brings joy. The world will tell us in order to have a full and happy life we must:

Accumulate more stuff and money.

Satisfy every desire.

Chase experiences.

Prioritize self.

But this mindset leads us not to life — but to emptiness.

The Apostle Paul gives us a sobering picture of where this road leads in

Romans 1:18–32 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature…” .

Let’s unpack that a bit...

Paul is outlining here the path of destruction that unfolds when people exchange the truth about God for a lie. It’s the spiritual slow fade into self-centered chaos. Let’s look at the stages Paul describes.

2. The Process of Ruin: “How to Ruin Your Life Without Even Trying” (10 minutes)

Let’s break down Paul’s warning in Romans 1:18–32 into six stages. You might write these on a whiteboard or handout:

A. The Turn Away – “I Want to Be God” (v. 21)

This is the essence of sin — not just breaking rules, but trying to take God’s place. Humanity rejects His rightful rule and crowns self instead.

B. The Darkening of the Mind – Contra Reality (v. 21b)

When we push God out, our thinking becomes distorted. We live against truth. We call evil good, and good evil.

C. Idolatry – We Must Have a God (v. 23)

Humans are worshipping creatures. If we don’t worship God, we will worship something — success, money, sex, power, control. And what we worship shapes us.

D. God Leaves Us Alone – Divine Wrath (v. 24–28)

God’s wrath isn’t always fire and brimstone. Often, it’s Him saying: “If that’s what you really want... go ahead.” He lets us experience the full weight of our choices.

E. Pleasure at All Costs – Degrading Desires (v. 24–27)

With no anchor, life becomes about chasing feeling. Pleasure becomes the highest goal, even when it degrades and destroys.

F. Sin Reigns – A Life Controlled by Brokenness (v. 28–32)

The end result is a life filled with envy, malice, deceit, pride, and cruelty. Sin doesn’t just visit — it reigns. And what once promised happiness now brings destruction.

You could ask:

"Do you see these patterns in the world today? In your own heart at times?"

3. The Ugliness of Sin vs. The Beauty of Virtue (5 minutes)

Sin is always uglier than it first appears. It over-promises and under-delivers. It slowly unravels the soul.

But the life Jesus invites us into is different. It’s marked by love, humility, self-control, peace, patience, kindness — virtues that reflect the beauty of God Himself.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…” — Galatians 5:22-23

A life of virtue isn’t boring. It’s beautiful, because it’s deeply connected to the heart of God. It creates peace in your soul and in your relationships. And it leads to joy that lasts.

4. Jesus’ Narrative: Matthew 7:24–27 (5 minutes)

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a simple but powerful image:

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…” — Matthew 7:24-27

Two builders. Two houses. Two outcomes.

One house stood firm because it was built on Jesus’ truth. The other collapsed because it followed a lie.

This is a clear call: Don’t just hear the truth. Live it. Because when the storms come — and they will come — your foundation matters.

Ask:

What are you building your life on?

Whose words are shaping your direction?

5. The Cost of Non-Discipleship (3 minutes)

Following Jesus has a cost — obedience, humility, surrender.

But not following Him has a cost too:

Anxiety instead of peace.

Division instead of reconciliation.

Addiction instead of freedom.

Restlessness instead of joy.

A house built on sand.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it this way:

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

But in that death to self, we find life. Abundant, beautiful, soul-deep life.

6. Reflect and Apply: Change is Possible (2 minutes)

Let’s reflect with two questions:

A. When in your life have you felt hopeful that you could truly change?

Was it after a powerful sermon?

After someone forgave you?

In a moment of surrender?

Hold that memory.

B. What truths did you hear today that inspire you to believe change is still possible?

That sin doesn’t have to rule?

That God invites us to a better foundation?

That you are not alone — the Spirit helps us grow?

Write it down. Pray it into your heart. Speak it over your life.

Closing Encouragement (2 minutes)

You were made for more than survival. You were made for a good and beautiful life — a life shaped by Christ, not culture. A life of transformation, not conformity.

And the invitation is still open.

Not to try harder. But to turn toward the God who has already turned toward you.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that You do not leave us to follow the destructive paths of this world. Thank You for Your mercy, even when we tried to be our own gods. Today, we turn back to You — the source of all that is good and beautiful. Help us build our lives on the solid foundation of Your truth. Shape our hearts with Your Spirit. Where we’ve fallen into sin, forgive us. Where we feel broken, restore us. And where we’ve lost hope that change is possible — breathe new life into us again. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.