Informed or Formed?

The Instagrammable Christian Life

Have you seen the photos of the perfect church attender? They have a shiny Moleskine journal, color-coded pens, and a leather-bound Bible. They’re taking impressively well-organized notes during the sermon. 

I’m a suburban dad, so I just have my standard church uniform and the Notes app on my phone. Even though I’m not on brand, I can leave church on a spiritual high like the rest of us!

But as I write this blog post on a Thursday afternoon, it’s hard to remember what we discussed at church just a few days ago.

Why? 

It’s a challenge we’re all feeling, whether we’re preachers or pew-sitters. The missional leader Alan Hirsch estimates there are about 16.6 million sermons preached in America every year. Yet the 2025 State of Theology survey found that 44% of the most dedicated, church-going evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force.

We’re informed, but not formed.

The author of Hebrews saw the same issue in his time and urged his people to take action.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Am I Provoked?

We might assume that this passage means whatever we do at our church.

But don’t you sense there’s a gap? What are we missing?

When we go to church, we often have an experience or check a box, but what does it change about our lives? 

I think this is one of our biggest blind spots: It’s easy to mistake receiving information for participating in God’s transformation of our lives.

For instance, isn’t it easier to read this devotional than to do anything about it?

So what forms us? 

Think about it this way: Who has most shaped your faith?

Was it a speaker on a stage, or a friend who showed up for you when you had nothing left to give?

Did it come from hearing three points about building community, or sharing your ugly struggles with a friend?

The Christian community isn’t supposed to be about passing a class, getting a perfect attendance record, or feeling the right vibes. 

Instead, the author of Hebrews tells us that the point of gathering is for brothers and sisters in Christ to provoke one another to put their faith into practice.

That only happens when we find wise, vulnerable friendships. Why?

Because that’s the only place where it’s safe to share how we’re not following Jesus, experience love, and be encouraged to start following him. 

If we don’t have at least one friend to talk to about our faith, it’s incredibly hard to grow. 

For Your Reflection: In God’s presence, take some time to meditate on Hebrews 10:24-25.

Personally: Who can you be totally honest with about your faith in God?

Discuss with a Friend: What’s one area you’d like them to ‘provoke’ you to love and good works?

Connect with God: God, give me a friend who will help me to follow you, and help me to be that friend for them.

This Week: Reach out to one friend and ask them: “Would you be willing to talk with me about following Jesus once a week?”

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Credit: Photo from VD Photography on Unsplash