Spiritual Formation
It is the Inside that Counts
- Spirit, Heart, Inner
Self, Character, Motives, Lifestyle, Worldview, Automatic Responses
People are Formed
- Process, Development,
Shaped, Moulded, Trained
Conversion Starts a “Re-Forming” Process
- Discipleship,
Spiritual Growth, Inner Transformation, Becoming Like
Jesus, Who are you Becoming?
The Goal of This Process
- Intimate Love
Relationship with God
- Genuine Love for People
- Following Jesus
- Obeying Jesus Teaching
- Walking with God,
Communing with God
- Hearing God’s Voice
- God’s Representative,
God’s Co-Worker
- Becoming the kind of
person who naturally ...
Spiritual Disciplines / Practices
The Disciplines are Not the Goal
- The greatest danger
with this teaching!
- Disciplines are the Means,
not the Goal
The Disciplines are Not the Only Means,
Or even the Main Means
- Word of God –
Written, Spoken, Living
- Spirit of God
- Example and Influence of
People
- Experiences – Mundane
and Crisis
The Disciplines Are the Means
Which are Under Our Direct Control
- Activities that we can
do.
- Time tested activities, practiced
by Jesus, his disciples, and followers of Jesus over the years.
- They are self
authenticating – they work!
- They largely position us
to experience the ‘Main Means’ listed above.
Looking Ahead
Continue Storyline of the Bible – New
Testament
Introduce Basic Spiritual Practices / Spiritual Disciplines
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Solitude |
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Silence |
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Study |
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Meditation |
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Fasting |
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Confession |
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Giving |
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Service |
Start Some Simpler, Smaller Small Groups
People who are ‘practising the practices’
helping each other
Conclusion
Invitation to Join the Journey