Discipleship invites us into the beautiful reality of being both friend and follower of Jesus, where we discover ourselves being gently trained and empowered by Him to love more fully. This journey isn't about perfecting spiritual techniques or earning our way to being "good Christians" through disciplined practice. Instead, spiritual disciplines serve as pathways that orient our hearts toward the Spirit's work, creating space for authentic encounters with God rather than mere religious performance. The four meta-practices—Preparation, Reception, Participation, and Reflection—offer us a framework for understanding why and how we engage in spiritual formation. These practices work together to form us not into perfect performers, but into people who are increasingly available to God's transforming presence and equipped to train others in this same journey of love.
