CS 654 Spiritual Formation in

CongregationsWeekend 4

Firestarter #1O What is the twofold task of spiritual

formation?O Where does spiritual formation take place in

your ministry setting? Note Wilhoit’s description on p38.

O Name and describe the various terms related to “brokenness” in Chapter 3. How do these terms relate to spiritual formation?

O How does one develop or cultivate openness to God, according to Wilhoit (82ff)? What is your response to his argument?

False ModelsO Quick Fix – “God, just zap me!”

O Leaves out the benefits of working with God along a journey of spirituality

O Forgets that focused attention on the sources of what we do and why we do them brings about transformation

O Neglects the disciplines associated with the “long look”

O How would a congregation work to avoid buying into this model?

O Facts Only – “Just tell me what I need to know”O Assumes that discipleship is simply

“picked up”O Forgets that although study is a

discipline, it’s not the only disciplineO Negates the importance of relationships

for spiritual developmentO How does a congregation work to avoid

development of this model?

O Emotional – “Give me a spiritual rush!”O Sees deep emotional or spiritual experience

alone as the lynchpin for spiritual development

O Assumes that change comes about through stirred emotions

O Links emotions with positive feelings so practitioners are overwhelmed by suffering

O How does a congregation work toward rethinking the importance of dependence on emotion alone?

O Conference – “Sign me up!”O Focuses on future development rather

than past issuesO Leads toward immature resolvesO Becomes a spiritual “filling station” and a

primary source of nurture and guidanceO How should a congregation work to

insure a balanced approach to the good teaching available through conferences and training events?

O Insight – “Open my eyes so I can see”O Supports a diseased introspectionO Provides opportunity for

preoccupation with one’s choices and their perceived consequences

O Moves the focus from God’s grace and provision to behavioral choices and law

O How could a congregation address the elevation of personal insight?

O Faith – “I surrender all . . . except that I’m not sure what that means”O Depends highly on God to do all the work

since surrender has been offeredO Promotes an overconfidence in one’s own

ability to identify the parts of one’s life which lack faith and trust

O How could a congregation recognize the importance of faith without separating faith from the two-way street of relationship?

Firestarter #2O Make a diagram similar to the figures

on 107-111. Tell your story about “Letting the Cross Grow” in your life.

O Discuss the “delicate balance” (117) between the individual aspects and the communal reality of the faith journey. What challenges do you encounter in achieving this delicate balance in your ministry or church experience?

Spiral CurriculumO What is the essence of utilizing the

principle of the “spiral curriculum”?O Revisiting topics and truths to work

truth deeper into the fabric of lifeO For example, what has been your

experience with these terms?O Pay attentionO Work toward a balanced approach to

spiritualityO Find a place of calm

Anointed TeachingO Along with careful curriculum

development, anointed teaching is discerning in natureO God gives insight, power, and ability

through the Holy Spirit . . .O So that the teacher may work beyond

human effortO Spirit within – indwelling dimensionO Spirit upon – supernatural anointing of God’s

powerO Spirit among – evident in the community

O Anointed teaching should be:O Cultivated through reliance upon the

Spirit as evidenced through theO Making of disciplesO Creating of space for God through

solitudeO Studying and meditating on Scripture

O Fruit-bearing, which is primarily the fruit of love from a pure heart

O Committed to intentional learning

Firestarter #3O How does “wholeness” relate to

“holiness” (161)?O How does a pastor teach and preach

in order to support responding? Where have your thoughts taken you as you have read 165ff?

Characteristics of a Spiritual Community

O Practice discernmentO Regarding what we overhear about

ourselvesO Regarding keeping the commands of

GodO Regarding reflective livingO Regarding clearness

O Keep relational commitmentsO Practice compassionate serviceO Eliminate prejudice

O Engage emotionally – weep and rejoice

O Live with integrityO Use money wiselyO Handle conflicts wellO ForgiveO Worship meaningfullyO Bear witness joyfullyO Disciple

Firestarter #4O How does the author use “detachment” as a

positive attribute? What other images might one use to describe the same thing? (195)

O Briefly explain “the four ‘R’s” of spiritual formation.

O What do you plan to do with new direction gained as a result of your interaction with the text and the experience of this focused course on Spiritual Formation in the Congregation?