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Necessity for spiritual formation
Importance of spiritual formation
Religious experience a2
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Spiritual formation is a process that morphs as we grow and change. There is no one singular correct path this type of journey takes because each journey is as individual as the person who is experiencing it. Most obvious, the journey will be different from those who identify as religious and those who do not and will diversify with in each category. For example, the spiritual journey a Buddhist takes will be different from that of a believer in Judaism or Christianity. In fact, the journey will continue to diversify between Christians, male and female, age groups, even by demographic location. Consequently, the spiritual formation process is as diverse as it is intricate and we may never be able to discover all the journey options. Although individuals may not actively recognize they are experiencing spiritual formation it is a process that affects all. Because it is in human nature to question, learn, grow, and act, everyone to a certain extent is exposed to a unique spiritual formation journey. With this in mind, the following will focus on the spiritual formation process within the Christian community. The concept of Christian community stems from the Bible with the perspective of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is compared to the humane body, a whole comprised of numerous parts; each individual part is required and created by God to form a cohesive whole, no matter believer or non-believer or social status (1 Corinthians 12). Similarly, the spiritual community is also comprised of bountiful parts and can be customized to the individual as the formation. Ashbrook appraises the significance of individuals and community, “Our spiritual formation is designed by God to happen in the context of Christian community, the chu... ... middle of paper ... ...keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11, NIV). Ultimately, spiritual formation is a journey I will walk throughout my lifetime and it is one that I gladly am not alone in traveling. My end goal is union with God in His Kingdom, as I believe it is for all Christians. I intend on allowing His grace and love to flow freely through me and show in my heart as well as in my actions. Works Cited Ashbrook, P. (2009). Mansions of the heart: Exploring the seven stages of spiritual growth. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass. Barker, K. L., & Burdick, D. W. (1995). The NIV study Bible. (10th ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. Bunyan, J. (2003). The pilgrim’s progress. (Green ed.). Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, INC. Hately, J. (2010, Feb 27). Biblical community-why it’s so i important. Retrieved from http://wp.bikerschurch.com/?p=2113
...yne A. The HarperCollins Study Bible New Revised Standard Edition . New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993. 1645-1722. Print.
Barker, Kenneth L., and Donald W. Burdick. Zondervan NIV study Bible: New International Version. Fully rev. ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2002. Print.
Hull, Bill. The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2006. 43-44. Print.
As I reflect on spiritual disciplines it is easy for me to look at them and weed out the ones that I do not think apply to me and the ones that I am drawn towards. But as I press into God and ask him what he sees fit and what I need more of, the picture begins to looks different than what I thought I saw before. Since I am so obviously human, I would rather see my life through a different more accurate lens than one that is tainted and imperfect like those of my human eyes. When I look at my life spiritually it is easy for me to see the spiritual disciplines that just come naturally to me such as worship and service. Since I know that those are areas of my faith that I thrive in, I tend to gravitate towards those to try and satisfy my spiritual life but I leave other parts to suffer. I want to gain better understanding of my faith and ultimately cultivate a deeper relationship with the Father.
Carson, D, & Moo, D. (2005) An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Fully rev. ed. Kenneth L. Barker, gen. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
The NIV Study Bible. Barker, Kenneth: General Editor. Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1995
4.) The Harper Collins Study Bible. Gen. Ed. Wayne A. Meeks. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993.
Spirituality can be defined as ‘‘ways of relating to the sacred’’ (Shults and Sandage 2006, p. 161) that involve the experience of significance (Zinnbauer and Pargament 2005)”. (Jankowski and Vaughn, 2009, p.82).
Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2005
I have been very blessed in this aspect of spiritual formation. My spiritual community has been a vital root to what has established my faith. I have had the experience to connect spiritually with some amazing individuals and groups who are passionate about developing a with relationship with Jesus Christ. My spiritual community has come from every direction and in many forms; church, bible studies, fellowship gatherings & celebrations, Celebrate Recovery, ministries, friendships, family, and homeschool support groups. Having these various types of communties has given me a opportunity to encounter wisdom from hearing God's word, knowledge in how to apply His Word and encouragement of how to grow in His word. Having a spiritual community to rely on has formulated patterns of spiritual practice. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (New
Barker, Kenneth L.. Zondervan NIV study Bible: New International Version. 2008 update. ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2008. Print.
Davis, John J. and Herbert Wolf. Judges Introduction and Annotations. Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised). Ed. Kenneth L. Barker. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. 326–363
Kohlenberger, III, John R. and Barker, Kenneth L., eds. Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary: An Abridgement of the Expositors Bible Commentary. Chicago: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.
St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Jesuit priest during 1500s the that developed the Spiritual Exercises. The Spiritual Exercises is a series of rules that is intended to be a guide or manual for those on a retreat. The manual provides its audience with guidance and encouragement to discover their purpose, their "True Self" and path in which they want to travel in life. St. Ignatius's goal for his set of prayers, Spiritual Exercises, is to freely choose to follow God and to serve Him.