Journey into Lightl

I am often asked, “What is Spiritual Formation?” I prefer to refer to Spiritual Formation as the spiritual transformation of the heart.  I have complied a list of questions that I am frequently asked or heard asked about Spiritual Formation . The following is some of those questions and my answers to them:

1. What is Spiritual Formation?

Spiritual Formation has been a generally recognized movement for the past thirty years that emphasizes lifelong spiritual transformation of the heart. One of its emphases is the importance for us to intentionally seek spiritual growth through practicing various disciplines. This provides us a way to position ourselves for the Spirit to transform our hearts.

Spiritual Formation emphasizes that the Bible is the standard of truth, but does seek truth in other disciplines, like psychology and sociology. However, these teachings from other disciplines cannot conflict with the Scriptures, or they will be rejected. Spiritual Formation also draws on appropriate spiritual traditions from the historical church. It uses the Bible as a means to deeper spirituality, and not Bible knowledge as the end-goal.

2.   What are some ways that Spiritual Formation may differ from the usual  approaches to spiritual growth?

• Stresses that the Bible is the standard of truth, but does accepts truth not explicitly stated in the Bible from other disciplines, as long as the teachings do not conflict with biblical truth.

• Emphasizes developing a love relationship with God, rather than just serving God.

• The focus is on heart change, and not just on knowledge and behavioral change.

• Emphasizes knowing self, as well as knowing God through the Bible.

• Stresses that knowing the Bible is a means to transformation, but does not automatically cause transformation.

• Emphasizes prayer, as well as knowing the Bible, as important for spiritual growth.

• Values feelings as a means of knowing the heart, rather than regarding them as unimportant.

• Emphasizes the high value of community in the transformation process, rather than regarding community as an option.

• Emphasizes living the Bible, as well knowing it.

• Teaches the practice of a large variety of disciplines to position oneself for God to work, rather than trying to obey Scripture through trying harder.

• Teaches that God is the change agent, and not us.

• Helps us realize how sinful we really are and in desperate need of change, rather than just needing a little tweaking.

• Stresses the need to be intentional about transformation, and not think it just happens as we study the Bible and do ministry.

• Emphasizes relying on the Spirit, besides fortitude and knowing the Bible.

• Stresses that God is the one who makes things happen, not us.

• Accepts that we are in a spiritual war and teaches how to function in this reality, rather than assuming that it is largely a naturalistic world.

 3.  Is Spiritual Formation biblical?

Yes. Spiritual Formation emphasizes that the Bible is the standard of truth, but does seek truth from other disciplines, like psychology and sociology, as long as the teachings do not conflict with the Bible.

4.  What benefit will I likely receive from studying and practicing Spiritual Formation?

• You can learn to more fully cooperate with God in the spiritual growth process and grow more Christlike.

• You can become more skilled at recognizing bondages to sin in your life, and take them to God for transformation.

• You can become a more godly person deep within your heart.

• You can live a more supernatural life.

• You can experience a more intimate love relationship with God.

• You can experience living life with God, rather than performing for him, in deeper way.

5. How does Spiritual Formation work?

• Recognizes that the Word disciplines are very important to practice to cooperate with God in the spiritual growth process.

• Provides practices to work with God in putting off the old and putting on the new.

• Helps you to better recognize sin in your life.

• Provides many additional practices to cooperate with God in the transformation process.

• Teaches how to allow the Spirit to lead the way in the transformation process.

• Helps you to live from your identity in Christ, and not from a false self.

• Helps you to walk in the power of the Spirit.

• Encourages and trains mentoring and body-life support.

• Helps you know what is really going on in your heart, and how to cooperate with God in transforming it.

• Recognizes supernatural opposition, with prayer and the Holy Spirit as important weapons.

• Recognizes that the Word is a means to an end, with the end being transformation and ministry fruit.