REFRESHER ON SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Summary: Spiritual formation is the process of growing closer to God and becoming more like Jesus (or your understanding of a higher power) through intentional practices and relationships. It’s about aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions with your spiritual beliefs, leading to a more transformed and Christ-like life.

Though spiritual formation and discipleship both involve a process of growth and change, they begin with the understanding that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Then, once saved, God calls us to change—to allow the Holy Spirit to begin working in our lives so we can become more and more like Him. The essence of spiritual formation is hearing God in His Word, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, and acting on that knowledge

Spiritual formation can occur anytime, anywhere: it can happen while mowing the lawn, driving to work, making the kids’ lunches, reading the Bible, praying, or participating in a small group, among other activities. In other words, spiritual formation is the lifelong process of conforming to the image of Jesus. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit cultivating within the believer a heart and mind that mirrors the heart and mind of Christ.

There are many Scriptures in the Bible that reiterate the truth that our greatest calling in the Christian life is to be like Jesus. Romans 8:29, for example, says, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” But one verse that drives home the invitation and meaning of spiritual formation above the rest, and that’s 2 Corinthians 3:18:” So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

That verse paints a pretty vivid picture of spiritual formation. There is nothing required of the believer that must be achieved or earned. It’s an invitation to behold more of God as we seek after intimacy with our Savior. J. Oswald Chambers says, “intimacy with God is characterized by joy, and is not a destination reached by the passing of years, but by consistent obedience and sacrifice of the ‘natural life’ for God’s will.”  Intimacy with God is also a private, personal experience, often cultivated in secret prayer and solitude, and marked by a sensitive conscience and a willingness to be open to God’s leading.”

Not only do we see that spiritual formation is an invitation into intimacy with God, but it also reveals that a major part of spiritual formation involves bearing spiritual fruit, which are essentially the very characteristics of Jesus that we see in Galatians 5:22-23.

Because the goal of spiritual formation is to commune with God and train in His ways, what better place to start than inviting God Himself into the process? He knows your heart more than anyone else. Ask Him where He would like you to begin. Seek His face and allow him to reveal your sin and areas of weakness, so that you can find spiritual practices to combat them and grow closer to the Father.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you content with your current level of spiritual growth? 
2. What areas of your spiritual life would you like to see growth in? 
3. What is one spiritual discipline you would like to focus on growing in?