Spiritual Formation in Congregations
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Transcript of Spiritual Formation in Congregations
Spiritual Formation in Congregations
CS 654Houston Graduate School of Theology
Spiritual FormationFoundations
Spiritual Formation Defined
Spiritual Formation Defined
“The basic core of spiritual formation is an
enabling relationship with God based upon
grace alone” (from The Upward Call, Tracy)
Spiritual Formation Defined
“The basic core of spiritual formation is an
enabling relationship with God based upon
grace alone” (from The Upward Call, Tracy) “There is no possibility
of spiritual formation apart from
‘intersections’ or encounters with God”
(Tracy)
To discuss spiritual
formation as an end in
itself,
To discuss spiritual
formation as an end in
itself,
or as a prescription for reducing
stress,
To discuss spiritual
formation as an end in
itself,
or as a prescription for reducing
stress, is to miss the primary point.
At the heart of spiritual
development is a carefully nurtured
relationship with God.
To discuss spiritual
formation as an end in
itself,
or as a prescription for reducing
stress, is to miss the primary point.
Dallas Willard says that spiritual formation is . . .
The Spirit-driven process
Of forming the self’s inner world
So that it becomes like the inner being of Christ
Spiritual formation is . . .
Spiritual formation is . . .
Focused entirely on Christ
Spiritual formation is . . .
Focused entirely on Christ
Through obedience or conformity to
Christ
Spiritual formation is . . .
Focused entirely on Christ
Through obedience or conformity to
Christ
That arises from inner
transformation
Spiritual formation is . . .
Focused entirely on Christ
Through obedience or conformity to
Christ
That arises from inner
transformation
As a result of purposive interaction with God’s
grace in Christ
External manifestations
Deadening legalisms
External manifestations
Deadening legalisms
Pointless parochialisms
External manifestations
Deadening legalisms
Pointless parochialisms
Peculiar modes of dress,
behavior, and organization
External manifestations
Deadening legalisms
Pointless parochialisms
Peculiar modes of dress,
behavior, and organization
Not the point of Christlikeness
External manifestations
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Person
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Person
Family
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Person
Family
Culture
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Person
Family
CultureHistorica
l Moment
Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life
Person
Family
CultureHistorica
l Moment
Holy Spirit
Christian formation is real life. If we wall off our Christian formation from real life, we only pretend
Exercise
Jot down a summary of words and ideas to describe spiritual formation in your own words as a reflection on the definitions we have just discussed.
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Spiritual FormationBiblical and Theoretical Foundations
Theoretical Foundations
The difference between being “formed” and being
“transformed”• Formation happens naturally
• Transformation is the result of spiritual formation
Theoretical Foundations
Conformation
Theoretical Foundations
Conformation
Relinquishing control to God
Theoretical Foundations
Conformation
Relinquishing control to God
Being compliant and obedient
Theoretical Foundations
Conformation
Relinquishing control to God
Being compliant and obedient
Takes place at points of “unlikeness” to Christ
Sources of “Formation”
Sources of “Formation”
Choices – taking responsibility for
who we have become
Family of origin
Generations
Religious experiences
Culture
Moment in history
Sources of “Transformation” and of “Being Conformed”
Sources of “Transformation” and of “Being Conformed”
Choices based on Kingdom resources
Connection and/or reconnection with
family of origin through the generations
Dependence upon and
interaction with the presence of
Christ
Connection to the Community of Faith (family of God) as a
responsible participant
Renewal of the mind (thinking differently than I had thought)
Key Biblical Passages
The goal is to become fully formed (transformed, conformed) . . .• Ephesians 4:11-16• 2 Corinthians 3:15-18• Romans 12:1-2
Key Biblical Passages
The goal is to become fully formed (transformed, conformed) . . .• Ephesians 4:11-16• 2 Corinthians 3:15-18• Romans 12:1-2
To the image of Christ• Colossians 3:1-3• Philippians 2:1-8; 3:17-21