WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?

Summary: Spirituality is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. It guides believers on a journey of faith and strengthens their relationship with God. Christian spirituality, in general terms, is a way of living out one’s faith, striving to become more like Christ and following His teachings. It’s a journey of deepening one’s relationship with God through the Holy Spirit and involves personal and communal practices.

If you ask 10 people what it means to be spiritual, you would probably get 10 different answers because the term means something different to everyone. Spirituality is something that’s talked about a lot but is often misunderstood. When we hear the phrase spirituality, we think it is reserved for people, for unique individuals, typically in the ministry, in other words, for the spiritual elite.   

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected, especially from our spiritual roots. Amid the chaos and demands of daily life, our relationship with God can often feel neglected, leading to a yearning for deeper spiritual connection. However, nurturing this bond is not just a religious duty, but a pathway to true peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees defined their spiritual stature by their disciplines. They believed they were superior because of their spiritual habits, such as fasting. But when Jesus tells His followers the traits He is looking for, He does not mention disciplines such as prayer or fasting. He is looking for transformed lives and views spiritual disciplines as exercises that help us grow nearer to God.

Christian spirituality can be defined as an ever-changing, evolving, maturing openness to God’s work through your life in all ways. It is easy to say spirituality is all about the institution, the rules, the culture and the academic study of God.

Christian spirituality is our internal pulse that pursues God in all places. It is heightened in quiet, awakened by music, motivated by new ideas, uplifted by seeing God at work, and constantly seeking God’s presence. The bottom line is that Christian spirituality is a lifetime journey leading to a deeper understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, and loving ever closer to the heart of God: to know God more fully.

Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity is not just about emotions or feeling close to God. Yes, we experience emotions, and sometimes we feel close to God and sense His presence. However, Christianity is not grounded in these subjective feelings but in the Word of God and Jesus Christ. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV) This verse boldly states: if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. If we don’t sense the presence of God, we might need to start hungering and thirsting for God.

Discussion Questions:

1. What spiritual practices are most helpful in connecting with God or your faith?
2. How does prayer, meditation, or Bible study impact your daily life?
3. What are some ways you can incorporate more faith-based practices into your routine?