Spiritual Formation
Book Introduction (pdf)
Spiritual Formation
- Is it an old concept with a new name?
- Is spiritual formation different from discipleship?
- Is spiritual formation different from sanctification?
- How are you becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ?
- What is God doing and how is His Spirit directing you?
- How has your spiritual formation impacted people that God has placed in your life?
Spiritual formation is not a program.
It is a work of the Holy Spirit.
- We desire transformation within ourselves.
- We desire transformation within the church.
- We desire transformation within our world.
How does it come about?
- It is a mysterious work of the Spirit of God that happens over time. We never arrive. We are continually changed by the Spirit of God.
Can we discern the means God uses to form us?
Yes.
Are there tools available that will help us as we journey?
Yes.
Are there key aspects to spiritual formation that are universal?
Yes.
Do we understand them all?
Probably not.
Spiritual formation is a life-long experience of deepening our relationship with God, and as a result, being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. It is personal, but not private. As we increasingly respond like Christ, thereby resembling Him, we will impact those around us. God desires the kind of close relationship with Him that will spill over into the lives of the people around us. Spiritual formation is always relational, both vertically and horizontally. As transformation takes place, our lives will exemplify the Great Command: To love God with our entire being and to love others as ourselves.
How do we understand the work of the Spirit? How do we allow the truths that have so deeply impacted our minds to also penetrate our hearts and lives? As you work through each lesson, you will find questions—more questions than answers.
This workbook is designed to get you thinking and to help you connect your knowledge (head) to your desire and will (heart)...