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Equipped 2 Serve

s piritual. f ormation. July 11, 2014. Equipped 2 Serve. What is Spiritual Formation?. Jesus’ character being formed in you. What Spiritual Formation is NOT:. Merely human effort at self-improvement The same thing as spiritual disciplines or spiritual practices

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Equipped 2 Serve

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  1. spiritual formation July 11, 2014 Equipped 2 Serve

  2. What is Spiritual Formation? • Jesus’ character being formed in you

  3. What Spiritual Formation is NOT: • Merely human effort at self-improvement • The same thing as spiritual disciplines or spiritual practices • Catholic or Eastern mystical religion • Unbiblical • A new fad

  4. The Problem of Language • Spiritual Growth • Formation • Spiritual formation • Christian formation • Faith formation • Christian Education • Discipleship

  5. Goals of a Disciple (from last E2S) • A disciple follows Christ • John 10:27 • A disciple obeys the teachings of Jesus • Matthew 28:20 • A disciple conforms to the image of Jesus • Romans 8:28-29 • Luke 6:40 • John 3:26 • A disciple ministers to others • Ephesians 4:11-12

  6. The Problem of Language • Spiritual Growth • Formation • Spiritual formation • Christian formation • Faith formation • Christian Education • Discipleship • Sanctification

  7. On Formation •My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you. ~Galatians 4:19 •For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son . . . ~Rom. 8:29

  8. On Formation I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters…. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:1-2

  9. On Formation •We will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ… ~Eph. 4:15 •Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation… ~1 Peter 2:2

  10. On Formation Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1:2-4

  11. On Formation 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith…. 3let us glory in our sufferings, understanding that hardship develops perseverance, 4and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope, 5and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. ~Romans 5:1-5

  12. A Tested Character Our character is that internal, overall structure of the self that is revealed by our long-run patterns of behavior and from which our actions more or less automatically arise…. Character is revealed most of all in what we feel and do without thinking. ~Dallas Willard

  13. A Tested Character Wounds, fears, unsatisfied desires, shames, losses, and unhealthy ambitions and images of self sink beneath the horizon of our awareness. We may even deny them. But they continue to disrupt our body [self] and can even take over our life through our ‘automatic’ responses.” ~Dallas Willard

  14. A Tested Character In Luke 6, Jesus points out that "there is no good tree which produces bad fruit.... Men do not gather figs from thorn bushes...." (vv. 43-44) It is the inner nature of the tree that determines its outward product. Likewise, "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." (v. 45)

  15. Personal Reflection/Discussion • If I were to be ruthlessly honest, what is it that “drives” me? • How centered am I—really—in God’s love for me?

  16. Spiritual Formation Definition “Spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness…is the process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it takes on the character of the inner being of Jesus himself.” Dallas Willard

  17. Spiritual Formation Definition • the process by which true Christlikeness is established in the very depths of our being. • framing a progression of life in which people come to actually do all things that Jesus taught. So we are obviously going for the heart. We are aiming for change of the inner person, where what we do originates. • Jesus’ character being formed in you

  18. Spiritual Formation “Everyone receives spiritual formation, just as everyone gets an education. The only question is whether it is a good one or a bad one.” Dallas Willard

  19. Personal Reflection/Discussion • From your experience, how is one formed spiritually? In other words, if you were to create a universal model for spiritual growth (based solely on your experience), what would three key components be?

  20. Spiritual Formation July 11, 2014 Equipped 2 Serve

  21. Our Role in Formation •Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose ~Phil. 2:12-13

  22. Our Role in Formation •You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ~Eph. 4:13-14

  23. Our Role in Formation •Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. ~1 Corinthian 9:24-27

  24. Our Role in Formation •If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. ~1 Timothy 4:6-10

  25. “Rules for Life” or “A Rule of Life” •A rule of life is a collection of practices and rhythms that reflect what you consciously or unconsciously value. •The root Greek word for rule is where we get our word “trellis”. •Like a trellis, a rule of life supports and aids our growth. It is a framework on which life can grow. It is a means, not an end.

  26. What does it look like to build a rule?

  27. What does it look like to build a rule?

  28. What does it look like to build a rule?

  29. A Rule of Life •"A Rule of Life” is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do and to be receptive to His life. “We must find tools that allow one to go deeper without going elsewhere. We must find practices for an embedded spirituality not an extracted spirituality.” ~Richard Langer

  30. “God In My Everything”

  31. Spiritual Practices • Practices and rhythms I add to or remove from my life to foster my relationship with God • Posturing ourselves to be receptive to God’s work in and through us • Any activity that helps me live life as Jesus modeled and taught

  32. Spiritual Practices • Spiritual reading • Prayer • Worship • Fasting • Confession and Self-Examination • Community • Hospitality

  33. Spiritual Practices • Meditation • Prayer • Fasting • Study • Simplicity • Solitude • Submission • Service • Confession • Worship • Guidance • Celebration

  34. Spiritual Practices • Celebration • Slowing • Servanthood • Confession • Guidance from Spirit • Secrecy • Reflection on Scripture • Suffering

  35. Spiritual Practices • Prayer • Reflective reading of Scripture • Community • Balance and simplicity • Humility • Mindfulness and awareness • Obedient listening • Stewardship of the earth

  36. Spiritual Practices • Simplicity • Hospitality • Prayer • Interior freedom • Refusal to judge others • Radical trust in God

  37. Spiritual Practices • Emmaus Road list

  38. “God In My Everything”

  39. Personal Reflection/Discussion • In your own spiritual journey what practices, disciplines, or rhythms have proven helpful to you?

  40. Spiritual Formation July 11, 2014 Equipped 2 Serve

  41. Rules for “A Rule” • Start Simply & Build Slowly • Prune Regularly & Stay Flexible • Consider Your Life Stage & Energy Patterns • Include Community • Pay Attention

  42. Daily Examen • Ignatius of Loyola • “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” ~Psalm 95 & Heb. 3 • Rummaging for God: Praying backwards through your day • Handout

  43. “Be My Everything” song

  44. Personal Reflection/Discussion • What, if anything, resonated with you this evening? • How can you begin shaping your own “Rule of Life” in the hopes that God will shape you through it? • In what way do you need someone to walk next to you in this season of your journey? (accountability, encouragement)

  45. Spiritual Formation July 11, 2014 Equipped 2 Serve

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