Join Pastor Dave Ripper for a transformative conversation with bestselling author John Ortberg, a leading voice in spiritual formation. In this episode, they explore vital spiritual experiences, drawing from John’s book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough and the Christian roots of the 12-step program. Learn how to cultivate a deeper connection with God through practices like prayer, meditation, and scripture immersion, and discover actionable steps to overcome challenges and grow in faith. John shares insights from Dallas Willard, integrates psychology with spirituality, and leads a guided exercise to encounter God’s presence.

Takeaways

• Vital Spiritual Experiences: John explains that vital spiritual experiences, like those that shaped the 12-step program, can be dramatic (e.g., Bill W.’s encounter with God) or gradual awakenings through disciplined practice. These experiences connect us to God’s transformative power.
  • Takeaway: Focus on seeking God rather than chasing specific emotional experiences. Invite God into your daily life through prayer and meditation to foster spiritual growth.
• Conscious Contact with God (Step 11): Step 11 of the 12-step program emphasizes improving conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation. John suggests simple practices like reflecting on a word like “joy” throughout the day or recognizing others as “image bearers” to stay connected to God.
  • Takeaway: Experiment with small, playful practices to turn your thoughts to God regularly, such as setting phone reminders or silently naming moments as sacred (e.g., “Bethel” – the house of God).
• Letting Go of Reputation: John shares wisdom from Dallas Willard about releasing the burden of reputation—what others think of you. He encourages trusting God with how you’re perceived rather than managing impressions.
  • Takeaway: Practice secrecy when you do something good (e.g., don’t share achievements publicly) and openly admit mistakes to break the cycle of impression management. Try Dallas’s discipline of “not having the last word” when criticized.
• Scripture as a Living Connection: Dallas Willard’s approach to scripture emphasized immersion and memorization to experience God’s reality. John highlights Dallas’s balance of deep reverence for scripture’s truth.
  • Takeaway: Spend intentional time with scripture, such as memorizing passages like John 14–15, to let God’s truth shape your thoughts and actions.
• Integrating Psychology and Faith: John discusses how Freud’s depth psychology addressed human complexity but dismissed spiritual experiences. Dallas Willard’s work, like Renovation of the Heart, integrates psychology and theology to understand personhood holistically.
  • Takeaway: Reflect on how psychological insights can complement your faith. Explore Dallas Willard’s writings to deepen your understanding of spiritual formation.

Quote of the Show

“Reputation is just what you think other people think about you. It’s a very good thing to let go of.” – John Ortberg

“If I go into worship thinking I must have this certain kind of experience, then I end up worshiping the experience instead of God.” – John Ortberg

Connect with John Ortberg

• Follow John’s daily teachings at Become New: https://becomenew.com/
• Check out his book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough, available wherever books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Guide-Transforming-Willpower-Enough/dp/1496447042

Welcome to the Deeper Experiences with God podcast. I’m your host Dave Ripper. My hope is that through conversations, teachings and practices on the Christian spiritual life, that you might experience an ever-deepening life with God.