Spiritual Formation in Congregations

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Spiritual Formation in Congregations CS 654 Houston Graduate School of Theology

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Spiritual Formation in Congregations. CS 654 Houston Graduate School of Theology. Christian Spirituality. Spiritual Formation. Foundations. Spiritual Formation Defined. Dallas Willard says that spiritual formation is . . . Spiritual formation is . . . - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Spiritual Formation in Congregations

Page 1: Spiritual Formation in Congregations

Spiritual Formation in Congregations

CS 654Houston Graduate School of Theology

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Christian Spirituality

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Spiritual FormationFoundations

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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)

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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.

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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

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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

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How is spirituality distinguished from spiritual formation?

Christian spiritual formation is a God-ordained process that shapes our entire person so that we take on the character and being of Christ himself.

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Spiritual formation is concerned with the hidden dimension of every human life, the space God has given us to become the person we choose to be. (Richard Foster)

Spirituality informs the choices. When we are open and responsive to the process, our outer life becomes an expression of this inner formation.

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Deadening legalisms

Pointless parochialisms

Peculiar modes of dress,

behavior, and organization

Not the point of Christlikeness

External manifestations

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Christian formation is real life. If we wall off our Christian formation from real life, we only pretend

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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.

Click icon to add picture

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Spiritual FormationBiblical and Theoretical Foundations

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Theoretical Foundations

The difference between being “formed” and being

“transformed”• Formation happens naturally

• Transformation is the result of spiritual formation

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Theoretical Foundations

Conformation

Relinquishing control to God

Being compliant and obedient

Takes place at points of “unlikeness” to Christ

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Sources of “Formation”

Choices – taking responsibility for

who we have become

Family of origin

Generations

Religious experiences

Culture

Moment in history

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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)

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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

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The dynamics of spirituality

• With God• With others• With self

Relational dynamic

(connecting)

• We are who we are but

• We change and grow as

• We are spiritually formed by God

Transformational dynamic

(becoming) • Who we are becoming on the inside naturally and inevitably finds expression in outward behavior

Vocational dynamic (doing)