It’s possible—possibly even likely—that you’ve never heard the phrase “spiritual formation.” In academic settings, this kind of statement is often kept to oneself. However, as the concepts and strategies of spiritual development have gained popularity within the church, many believers are now facing more significant challenges.
To us, God appears as an honest individual. This experience involves all aspects of who we are—our intellect, knowledge, emotions, personalities, bodies, and will. Every facet of who we are, according to God, should change. In our opinion, this kind of Holy Spirit-led formation necessitates involvement and intentionality. Therefore, there are topics, practices, and methodologies that welcome you on a journey of spiritual group formation regardless of the course you decide to enroll in. Spiritual development might help you reclaim the sincerity of your relationship with God.
Spiritual Formation: What Is It?
Spiritual development is referred to as spiritual formation in its most total sense. Therefore, your choice to enroll your children in a Christian discipleship school would be considered a matter of general spiritual development. Any education based on a particular religion can be said to do the same thing; Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, or Buddhist institutions assist pupils in growing spiritually.
Spiritual formation is the process of becoming Christ-like. It entails learning and practising spiritual disciplines like Bible meditation, cultivating stillness and isolation, and listening to the Holy Spirit’s nudges. Mission and service will enable one to demonstrate their love for God and neighbor more thoroughly and holistically.
Although sanctification is a process, it is also a path that enables us to get to know God better. This is because we actively participate in God’s continual call to have a relationship with him in our spiritual lives rather than simply watching from the sidelines.
A Roadmap For Spiritual Development
Spiritual guidance is a partnership between two people working to live Christ-like lives and who serve as listening partners as they progress toward a better relationship with God. The soul partner has read Christian discipleship books and undergone spiritual director training.
Discipleship
Discipleship concentrates on the growth of a person’s religion within a faith community’s unique ideals and tenets. In a faith community, disciples are respected as mentors and spiritually mature leaders. Through spiritual disciplines, one is invited to experience a way of life centered on God. The disciplines include a part of identity, consciousness, and meditation, such as prayer and sacred reading, to enhance one’s love and knowledge of God and other people. These practices aim to bring the heart and the intellect into alignment so that a God-centered existence might be realized.
Individuality Of Spiritual Formation
In spiritual formation, theory and experience are integrated. It encourages individuals to do spiritual disciplines to have a more profound comprehension and knowledge of God. Position in society is a factor in spiritual development. It aims to alter one’s outlook on all aspects of life. This will result in the construction of new, biblically-based life structures.
A vocation is more than just a job or a career. God gives each person a unique personality, so each person is fantastic. It influences one’s interactions with others and environmental factors. Utilizing the talents God has given us in ministry is part of our calling. Self-discovery is a critical component of spiritual growth so that one can follow their purpose.
The Significance Of Spiritual Development
We are eternal beings, but we no longer understand what it is to be immortal. As a result, we disregard our spiritual needs while placing greater importance on our material needs. As a result, we feel helpless and removed from God due to our mistaken efforts.
The Bible says a lot about spiritual growth. Only a few scriptures, though, encourage us to experience spiritual rejuvenation. The Life with God Bible by Renovaré provides a thorough overview of spiritual development in the Bible, including an index of verses that highlight 18 different spiritual disciplines. You can also read Christian discipleship ebooks to learn more.
The need for more intuitive approaches to spirituality is stressed by many well-known figures in the struggle for spiritual development. They urge Christ-followers to practice extra-biblical spiritual practices, such as meditation, contemplative prayer, silence, mindfulness, and creative expression. Unfortunately, some of the most popular methods for spiritual growth have been taken from Catholics, new age mystics, or other faiths and repackaged using language with biblical connotations. Get Dr. JK Jones’ “A Missing Discipleship” by clicking here if you want to read the spiritual formation books.
