calendar_today June 2, 2025

Spiritual Disciplines | Healthy to the Core | Week 2

person Sawyer Poitra

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Healthy to the Core – Week 2: Spiritual Disciplines

In the second week of New Life Church’s “Healthy to the Core” series, Sawyer Poitra dives into one of the foundational pillars of Christian growth: Spiritual Disciplines. This message is a timely call to every believer—whether new in faith or seasoned—to pursue intentional rhythms that draw them closer to Christ and shape them more into His likeness.

The Call to Health Starts with the Soul

Sawyer opens by reminding the congregation that being spiritually healthy is more than a feeling—it’s a lifestyle built on consistent action. Our habits shape who we are becoming. While culture tells us that external appearances and achievements define success, Scripture offers a different vision—one where the inner life, molded by Spiritual Disciplines, matters most.

In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul writes,

“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:7-8

Here, “training” implies regular, practiced behaviors—Spiritual Disciplines—that lead to godliness. Sawyer emphasized that godliness doesn’t happen by accident. Just like physical fitness requires consistent effort, so does spiritual maturity.

Habits That Form the Heart

Throughout the message, Sawyer unpacks several Spiritual Disciplines that contribute to spiritual health:

Prayer
Prayer is more than asking God for things—it’s the soul’s oxygen. It centers us in God’s presence, aligns our will with His, and reminds us of our dependence on Him. Jesus modeled a life of prayer, often withdrawing to quiet places (Luke 5:16).
Scripture Reading
“God speaks most clearly through His Word,” Sawyer shared. Scripture renews our minds (Romans 12:2) and equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Developing a habit of reading—even a few verses a day—can transform a distracted, anxious heart into one anchored in truth.
Fasting
Often overlooked, fasting is a discipline that reminds us that man does not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4). Sawyer encouraged the church not to see fasting as punishment, but as a gift that creates space to hunger for God more deeply.
Sabbath and Rest
Building on the previous week’s message, Sawyer reiterated that rest is not laziness—it’s trust. When we choose rest, we declare that our productivity does not define our worth. It’s a spiritual discipline rooted in God’s own rhythm of creation (Genesis 2:2-3).
Serving
Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Serving others is one of the most tangible ways to become like Christ. Whether through formal roles or everyday kindness, every act of service is spiritual formation in action.

The PSA Assessment: A Practical Next Step

Sawyer invited the congregation to take New Life’s PSA (Personal Spiritual Assessment), a tool designed to help individuals reflect on their current habits and receive personalized guidance for growth. After completing the PSA, each person is matched with a spiritual advisor who reviews their responses and provides prayerful, practical next steps.

This isn’t about a checklist; it’s about formation. As Sawyer said, “Sometimes, we’re stuck not because we’re unwilling, but because we’re unsure of what’s next. That’s where community and counsel come in.”

The invitation was simple: Take the PSA, receive your next steps, and try them. Growth begins when we act on the nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t Wait for Crisis

One powerful insight from the message was this: Don’t wait for spiritual crisis to start building your foundation. Much like financial savings or physical health, the time to invest is now—not when you’re in trouble. When the storms of life come (and they will), Spiritual Disciplines become the anchors that keep us steady.

Sawyer challenged the church: “What kind of future are you building with your current habits? Are you setting yourself up for spiritual strength or spiritual malnourishment?”

Embracing the Tension of Formation

Spiritual growth is not always easy. Discipline by nature is uncomfortable. Hebrews 12:11 reminds us:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

Sawyer emphasized that God isn’t looking for perfection, but for consistency. Even when we fail, the grace of Jesus meets us there—and invites us to begin again. Spiritual Disciplines aren’t about earning God’s love; they’re about living in response to it.

Why It Matters

The goal of this message wasn’t to pile on spiritual guilt, but to provide hope and practical direction. Sawyer cast a vision of a church family marked by deep, healthy roots. He painted a picture of what’s possible when individuals commit to formation: stronger families, deeper faith, more resilient hearts.

Galatians 6:9 served as a closing encouragement:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6"9

Sawyer left the congregation with this final call: “If you want to be healthy to the core, start where health begins—in your soul. Practice the Spiritual Disciplines. Trust God with the outcome. And don’t give up.”

Want to grow spiritually but unsure where to start?

Take the PSA assessment today: newlifegillette.com/PSA and take your next step toward becoming Healthy to the Core.

Did you like Healthy to the Core – Week 2 – Spiritual Disciplines? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

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