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What Is Spiritual Formation—and Why Does It Matter?

I heard the word “discipleship” frequently growing up. My Bible teachers and pastors spoke on this topic, explaining how it bolsters the Christian life. However, not until recently did I hear the related phrase “spiritual formation.” Initially, I wondered if this was some new, contemporary concept, but I soon realized that was not the case.

Keep reading to learn more about how spiritual formation differs from discipleship, when spiritual formation started, the disciplines of spiritual formation, and more—or skip to what interests you.

What is spiritual formation?

When and how did spiritual formation start, what are the disciplines of spiritual formation.

• Where do I find spiritual formation in Scripture?

Tools to help with spiritual formation

Before we talk about spiritual formation, let’s first define discipleship . Chris Byrely writes in the Lexham Theological Wordbook :

We see discipleship in the New Testament as Jesus’ disciples give up their entire lives to follow and learn from him (Luke 6:40). For Christians today, it’s the process of learning how to think and act as a follower of Jesus within the context of a faith community. (See Titus 2:4; 2 Tim 2:2; Eph 6:4; Matt 28:20; Heb 3:13; 1 Pet 4:10.)

So how does spiritual formation differ from discipleship?

Paul Pettit insightfully defines the phrase in his book Foundations of Spiritual Formation :

Though spiritual formation and discipleship both involve a process of growth and change, spiritual formation is directed by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life, whereas discipleship is the ongoing process by which the believer learns to live as a transformed individual. Spiritual formation begins 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 life so we can become more and more like him.

The essence of spiritual formation is this: hearing God in his Word, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, and bearing lasting fruit (Gal 5:19–23).

Let’s explore the origin of spiritual formation to gain insight into its background with the early church and the Puritans before delving into a deeper study of what it means for believers today.

1. The early church

Though you might not have heard of spiritual formation before, it has actually been around since the early church, and it will serve us well to understand how and why it played such an instrumental role in that setting.

2. The Puritans

The sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Puritans practiced spiritual formation too.

Interestingly, the Puritans even set aside devoted time to enhance their practice of spiritual formation:

Gangel and Wilhoit sum up the Puritan’s approach to spiritual formation well:

There’s no denying that both the early church and Puritans took spiritual formation seriously. And knowing the context of spiritual formation in these settings provides a great segue to our modern-day understanding of spiritual formation and the disciplines it entails.

Spiritual formation may be exercised both internally and corporately. While God commands his children to worship with one another, he also invites us to maintain a personal relationship with him.

Internal disciplines

Spiritual formation starts with the intentional molding of our inner, more personal disciplines —namely, these four: prayer , fasting , Bible study, and biblical meditation.

Sometimes, we remember to pray only when we need or want something. However, we should not take this primary means of conversing with our Savior lightly.

God speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, but it is up to us to respond to him and engage in that conversation.

Nelson describes how, and when, we should pray:

Furthermore, Scripture sets forth models of prayer for us to follow. One prime example of this is The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (vv. 9–13)

What is Prayer? Ways to Pray, Example Prayers & More

Good Morning! 20 Prayers to Start Your Day

Good Night! 18 Prayers to Close Your Day

In addition to exchanging verbal communication with your Savior, fasting —abstaining from food to focus on spiritual matters—is another form of prayer that many include in their growth journey. Nelson writes:

Fasting may render us physically hungry, but hopefully, that will only cause us to hunger for conversation with our Lord even more.

How to Fast for God: What Fasting Is, Why It Matters & More

3. bible study.

Prayer is powerful, but so is Scripture —our ultimate user’s manual for Christlike transformation.

Since Scripture is elevated to this level, we shouldn’t ignore it. Rather, we should view our daily consumption of God’s Word as our lifeblood. Alongside the Holy Spirit’s continual working in us, reading and studying the Bible will keep us spiritually alive, especially in moments of desperation when nothing else can.

Alongside the Holy Spirit’s continual working in us, reading and studying the Bible will keep us spiritually alive, especially in moments of desperation when nothing else can.

Morrow provides even greater insight into why spending time in God’s Word is so important:

We can trust this promise and rely on Isaiah 55:11, which promises that the study of God’s Word will not return void:

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

God’s Word is powerful and will accomplish what he intends. But we have to dig into it and pay attention to what it says for it to transform our minds and hearts.

How to Study the Bible Chronologically

4. biblical meditation.

The book of Psalms frequently mentions the word “meditation,” even as early as the second verse of chapter one when David speaks of the characteristics of a righteous person:

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Another reference occurs in Psalm 19 as part of David’s plea that the “meditation of [his] heart be acceptable in [God’s] sight.”

Psalm 119 outlines the breadth of God’s nature for our meditation: his precepts, statutes, wondrous works, testimonies, and promises.

Knowing this scriptural basis gives reason for practicing biblical meditation.

Ultimately, internal spiritual formation focuses on God and deepens our relationship with him. Nelson affirms this:

Fortunately, the value of developing a personal relationship with God has been widely recognized among those in a position to exhort others to do so.

Since we are taught to meditate on Christ and all that he’s done for us, we should heed this instruction, all the while drawing closer to him.

Corporate disciplines

In addition to intentionally cultivating the internal disciplines of spiritual formation, we ought to integrate the corporate disciplines into our lives.

Before delving into its particulars, let’s not discount the importance of continuing to nurture our personal faith within the corporate setting. Nelson writes:

Now let’s unpack how to exercise the corporate disciplines. I’ll be covering three: worship in community, worship in song, and corporate confession.

1. Worship in community

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Unfortunately, despite its affirmed importance, some do not prioritize the practice of spiritual formation in community.

Nonetheless, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to gather corporately:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (10:24–25)

Gathering with other believers for worship benefits the body of Christ, increasing our love for and service toward one another.

Gangel and Wilhoit speak to the urgent need for the practice of corporate spiritual formation in today’s world:

Our internal worship of God is not alone sufficient for the practice of spiritual formation. We need community, we need other believers, and we need to worship corporately.

What is Worship? What Theologians & the Bible Say

2. worship in song.

Undoubtedly, the practice of congregational singing is uplifting. And Scripture encourages believers to take part in it. Consider what Paul says about praising God with other believers through song in Colossians 3:16:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Emphasis added)

Singing is a great asset to corporate spiritual formation. It’s unifying; it enhances our worship; it focuses our hearts and minds on God’s attributes and the truths he wants to communicate to us.

In his essay “That’s Why We Sing,” Darryl Tippens sheds light on the real value of congregational singing:

Tippens also relates singing to spiritual formation:

Congregational song involves three audiences: God, self, and one another. We sing to God about God, we sing to ourselves to align our hearts with truth, and we sing to one another to exhort each other.

Singing corporately does more than accomplish the vocal worship of God; it’s a beautiful way to take part in the practice of spiritual formation alongside brothers and sisters in Christ.

3. Corporate confession

Lastly, one of the most powerful corporate disciplines is confession. Sin, especially secret sin, has the power to greatly divide any corporate body if not dealt with biblically.

Consider James 5:16:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

In his commentary on James , William Varner references additional passages on public confession. 30 Mark 1:5 and Matthew 3:6 speak of believers’ confession at baptism, Acts 19:18 mentions the confession of new believers, and 1 John 1:9 relays this great promise to us:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Though the thought of public confession may cause us to squirm in our seats a bit, we can’t let fear of man, and ultimately pride and cowardice, get the better of us. In fact, confessing sin to another believer will not only help you grow in your relationship with Christ, but your transparency may encourage the other person to do the same:

We see this modeled many times throughout Scripture. For example, after the Israelites worshiped pagan gods, Judges 10:7 says God “burned with anger” against them (NLT). Upon realizing their failure, the Israelites corporately confess their sins to God:

And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.”

Once they confessed their corporate sin, God looked upon Israel with compassion (v. 15). We can learn from the Israelites’ example and be fervent to practice corporate confession too.

Resources about spiritual formation

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, Commemorative Edition

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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

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Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed

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Mobile Ed: PD201 Introducing Spiritual Formation (10 hour course)

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The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit

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The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (audio)

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Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship

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14 verses on spiritual formation in the Bible

Though the phrase “spiritual formation” is not in the Bible, numerous references speak to the concept of spiritual formation.

The following 14 verses, from both the Old and New Testaments, speak of God’s intention for the progression of spiritual formation. Click to open and explore what the Bible says on each topic.

On the importance of God’s Word 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ( Col 3:16 )

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. ( 1 Pet 1:22–23 )

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ( Isa 55:10–11 )

On the importance of prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ( Phil 4:6–7 )

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. ( Jer 33:3 )

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ( Jas 1:5 ) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. ( Ps 62:8 )

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ( Phil 1:6 )

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ( 2 Pet 3:18 )

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. ( Heb 12:1 )

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. ( Luke 8:14–15 )

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. ( 1 Cor 13:11–12 )

On our responsibility

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. ( Prov 4:20–24 )

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. ( Jas 1:22–25 )

These passages provide guidance on how believers should implement the practice of spiritual formation into our lives, and careful attention to them will only heighten our awareness of and attention to the topic.

The Holy Spirit is the primary agent in charge of your sanctification—the process of being made more like Christ, holy and set apart for God’s use. Your transformation into Christlikeness is a gift of God’s grace, but you can find practical tools to help you on your journey.

One such tool is the Logos Bible app . It will not only help you better understand God’s Word—with step-by-step guidance through devotional study and the praying of Scripture—but also provides powerful features to enhance your daily Bible reading and study routine. Here are three.

Logos Workflows

Lectio divina workflow.

There’s nothing quite like the slow, contemplative reading of Scripture paired with a heart and mind that are open and attentive to the voice of the Spirit. Lectio Divina—a four-step method of prayer and meditative Bible reading to encourage communion with God—is one way to train our souls so that the word of Christ might “dwell in us richly” (Col 3:16). Logos Workflows are invaluable for this type of guided study because they show you step by step what to do. For instance, you can use a prebuilt Lectio Divina Workflow that intentionally guides you through Scripture to help you become more receptive and willing to listen to God’s voice.

Praying Scripture Workflow

John Piper writes: “If we don’t form the habit of praying the Scriptures, our prayers will almost certainly degenerate into vain repetitions that eventually revolve entirely around our immediate private concerns, rather than God’s larger purposes.” The Praying Scripture Workflow in Logos ensures that your prayers are anchored to God’s truth and aligned with his will. Free with Logos Basic, the Praying Scripture Workflow encourages you to find the content of your prayers in the Bible through six aspects of prayer: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, consecration, and intercession.

Learn more about Workflows , or watch this video:

Reading Plans

Setting aside dedicated time every day to read books on spiritual formation in Logos, or simply reading through the Bible in an organized manner, is easy when you set up a Logos Reading Plan. Choose from a predefined plan or customize your own , then read by yourself or with another person or group for accountability. (You can even access reading plans on the go with the Logos Bible app .)

Learn more about Logos Reading Plans .

The Notes Tool & Notebooks

Taking the time to journal what you hear from the Holy Spirit while reading God’s Word is incredibly important. With the Notes Tool in Logos, you can document your spiritual formation journey, recording times when you hear God’s voice most directly. Reminders of these intimate occasions with your Savior will carry you during more difficult times and encourage you to press on in your journey toward becoming more like him.

The Notes Tool will help you keep all your notes and highlights organized in Notebooks so you can easily access them later or share them with others.

Learn more about Logos Notebooks.

A lifelong process

Spiritual formation is not a one-size-fits-all package—it looks different for every person and is a lifelong process. Some people will feel like they grow most when they fast and pray, while others may feel closest to God when worshiping alongside other believers.

Regardless of which spiritual formation elements are most comfortable for you, consider incorporating both internal and corporate disciplines into your life—you will only benefit from doing so.

God calls all Christians to become more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). As you take steps to be intentional about your relationship with the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your growth, you’ll find transformation happening in the innermost part of your being.

• Chris Byrley, “Discipleship,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook , Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
• Paul Pettit, “Introduction,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation , ed. Paul Pettit (Kregel Publications, 2008), 24.
• Kenneth O. Gangel and Jim Wilhoit, The Christian Educator’s Handbook on Spiritual Formation (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1994), 34.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 26.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 27.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 34.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 49.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 51.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 54.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 58.
• Peter K. Nelson, Spiritual Formation: Ever Forming, Never Formed (Westmont, IL: IVP Books, 2012).
• Nelson, Spiritual Formation .
• Jonathan Morrow, “Introducing Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation , ed. Paul Pettit (Kregel Publications, 2008), 45.
• Morrow, “Introducing Spiritual Formation,” 45.
• Klaus Issler, “The Soul and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation , ed. Paul Pettit (Kregel Publications, 2008), 127.
• Darrell L. Bock, “New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual Formation , ed. Paul Pettit (Kregel Publications, 2008), 105.
• Pettit, “ Introduction,” 21
• Pettit, “Introduction.” 22.
• Gangel, The Christian Educator’s Handbook , 115.
• Darryl Tippens, That’s Why We Sing: Reclaiming the Wonder of Congregational Singing (Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers, 2011).
• Tippens, That’s Why We Sing .
• William Varner, James , ed. H. Wayne House, W. Hall Harris III, and Andrew W. Pitts, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), 544.

Katie French

Katie French is a biblical counseling graduate student at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and enjoys writing about biblical truths.

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The Spiritual Journey and Seven Stages of Spiritual Development

The spiritual journey is a transformational process that takes us through seven stages of our spiritual development. The path we take is built into us, in our expanding minds, hearts, and energy system. It’s an integral aspect of our desire to be alive – to live fully and grow, to expand in fulfilling ways and make a positive difference in the world.

The spiritual journey reveals the fullness of our human potential.

Essentially, the spiritual journey takes us from fear, separation, and limitation to love, connectedness, and expansion. For life coaches, understanding these stages and developing the ability to help clients to move through them with ease has tremendous value. When you understand where the people you serve are on the journey, you can relate precisely to their needs and desires, which may be very different from yours.

Interest in the Spiritual Journey and Stages of Development

We’ve had a deep interest in the spiritual journey for more than three decades. Over time, we recognized seven stages of spiritual development we all pass through along the way. This map of the path to wholeness is the result of extensive research and understanding of the human energy system, along with a wide range of experience with ourselves, our clients, and students. The seven steps or stages roughly correspond to seven spiritual activations that transform our perspectives on who we are, why we are here, and what is possible.

As we evolve, our perspectives evolve, so we can think and process information about our reality more expansively and inclusively. We now understand the focus of these stages as a shift in our experience of reality we call the “Ultimate Paradigm Shift.”

The Nature of the Spiritual Journey

We begin the first two stages of the journey with our feet firmly planted on the physical plane, viewing ourselves primarily as limited physical beings. Our consciousness is ruled largely by fear, which makes us easy targets for being controlled by others. Many people in these early stages view themselves as victims of circumstances that are beyond their control.

As we evolve, our “world” expands, and we glimpse beyond the material world into the realms of the human soul. Fear recedes and love blooms.

Spiritually, each of us is challenged to open to the Infinite, along with more joy and aliveness.

The transformation, then, is a redefinition of ourselves from limited physical beings who are victims of external forces to magnificent spiritual beings who are creators of the lives we were born to live.

Holistic Life Coaching and the Spiritual Journey

Coaching clients to progress with greater ease on the spiritual journey is powerful. If you are a life coach, imagine the tremendous benefits you can offer to clients. When you understand precisely where clients are on the journey, you can pinpoint the challenges and opportunities that are inevitably playing out in their daily lives. This helps them to progress more quickly and receive exponentially better results.

Knowledge of the seven stages of spiritual development and their impact on your life may be your most practical tool on the spiritual path. Once you understand the sequence, you can track your development step-by-step and bring deeper meaning to the events of your life, along with those you serve. You can also avoid the pitfalls that prevent people from evolving , and manifest the life you deeply desire.

The Seven Stages of Spiritual Development

As we evolve, our minds develop and our souls become more and more present in our lives. In the first two stages of spiritual development, people function largely on auto pilot, based on programming in the unconscious mind. This state is characterized by a lack of self-awareness , along with a high degree of fear and a narrow range of thinking. The result is a tendency to follow the crowd and play it safe.

An Overview of the Seven Stages

1. Recognition: From a place of lack of self awareness, something wakes up and we recognize that we have some choices. We are going with the crowd, but we are starting to awaken. The mind is becoming more active and new possibilities are emerging.

2. Breaking Loose (Renunciation): Now we recognize the opportunity to free ourselves from the herd and jump over the fence to freedom. This takes courage. We have to sacrifice the perceived safety of the crowd to open to more individual opportunities. As we prepare to take charge, fear starts to lose its hold.

3. Claiming Our Power: This is where it starts to get interesting. Now we get our first taste of freedom as we claim our right to live the lives we were born to live. The mind is expanding further now as we explore new possibilities. At this point, we enjoy the benefits of independence. Free from the herd, people often do uncharacteristically different things at this stage. They may start to dress differently, travel, change jobs, develop new interests, and change behaviors.

4. Embracing Our Greatness: Exploring freedom leads to a deeper exploration of who we are. This is when people begin to experience soul searching and recognition that the truth lies within, in the power of our hearts and souls . It’s the time when we bridge the gap between the restrictions of the physical plane and expansiveness of the spiritual plane. We are preparing to make the ultimate paradigm shift into a new way of being in the world, but don’t know where we are going.

5. Expressing Our Uniqueness (Sovereignty): As we embrace ourselves as spiritual beings, we rise a new level now, onto the spiritual plane. Now we are guided by the truth in our hearts. This stimulates a desire to express our deeper purpose and share our greatness with the world.

6. Integrating Our Roles as Creators: Our integration of this creative reality includes mastering our thinking and ways of being on the spiritual plane. Becoming more aware of the big picture now, we recognize how our actions can have a positive impact on larger numbers of people.

Love blossoms and fear recedes with the recognition that everyone has infinite possibilities and the supply of the good we seek knows no limit.

7. Transcendence: Now we complete the process of becoming fully functional as creators of the lives we were born to live. We are highly aware now that we create from the inside out with our minds and our hearts. We know how manifestation works and how our thoughts and feelings are responsible for the results we are getting in our lives. We are learning to live in harmony with the laws of the universe and reaping the rewards of our efforts on the journey.

More Notes on the Stages of our Spiritual Development

The first two stages of our spiritual development (Recognition and Breaking Loose) could be viewed as preliminary. Our personal transformation really begins when we free of the hold of the herd with the completion of the second activation. At this stage, we recognize the need to think for ourselves and release the grips of those who seek to control our lives. Having the courage to free ourselves from these ties provides us with the momentum we need to make the ultimate paradigm shift. Then we can move forward and become creators of the lives we were born to live.

Awakenings Institute’s unique Holistic Coaching and Healing Certification Program includes in-depth teaching of the stages of development. To learn more about how you can participate, CLICK HERE .

More articles that relate to the spiritual journey and stages of spiritual development:

Seven Essential Tools for Personal and Spiritual Transformation

The Ultimate Paradigm Shift

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Spiritual Formation

We experience God as embodied human beings. This experience includes our minds, what we know, and also our emotions, will, personality, and body. God wants to transform all of who we are. We believe to be formed by the Holy Spirit in this way requires both participation and intentionality. That’s why we’ve thoughtfully built out spaces, practices, and courses – no matter what program you pursue with us – that invite you on a spiritual formation journey in community.

What is Spiritual Formation?

Christian spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and for the sake of others (II Corinthians 3:17-18).

The focus of spiritual formation is the Holy Spirit , who guides the ongoing journey towards union with God.

The response is submission. Formation is an organic, lifelong, and holistic process involving right thinking (orthodoxy), right behaviors (orthopraxy), and right feelings (orthopathy) of individuals and communities.

Is Spiritual Formation Biblical?

Terms Defined

You’ve probably heard terms like “spiritual direction”, “discipleship” and “spiritual formation” used in conversation, mentioned on a website, or spoken of from the pulpit. But what, exactly, do these things mean?

Here is a general overview of how we, at Portland Seminary, define them:

• Spiritual direction is a relationship between a person seeking a more Christ-like life and another who serves as a listening companion to the journey of growing deeper in their relationship with God. The soul companion is trained as a spiritual director.
• Spiritual formation focuses on the deepening of one's relationship with God.
• Discipleship focuses on the maturing of one's faith in the context of the particular beliefs and values of a faith community. Disciplers are respected and spiritually mature mentors and leaders in a faith community.
• Pastoral counseling focuses on relational and emotional maturity of an individual and/or family group. It is usually crisis-driven. Pastoral counselors are trained and certified.

How Do I Know if I’m Being Spiritually Formed?

That is a great question! We believe the Spirit and the written Word, and the living indwelling Christ, help us to experience “living water,” which flows out of our innermost being (John 7:37-38), coming from the depths of our identities and our communities.

Spiritual disciplines are the tools and pathways of spiritual formation. Practices such as labyrinth walking, contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina – the traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer – are good, but they do not necessarily result in formation. Only the Spirit can bring about spiritual formation and our invitation is to consent to the journey.

At Portland Seminary, we’re receptive to the Spirit’s formative work in us while recognizing that formation happens best in diverse communities . Spiritual directors, mentors, pastors and spiritual friends provide important relationships for reflection, companionship and sometimes guidance.

Ultimately, the best gift from these special relationships is the act of their listening deeply to us and on our behalf with the Spirit.

Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary

We’re committed to your spiritual formation because we believe the church and the world are better served by women and men who have a receptive heart and are faithfully responding to the Spirit’s working in their lives.

Educating the mind is not enough. As embodied persons with a mind, will, personality and emotions, God wants to transform all of who we are.

We journey together in these ways:

• Every course we offer has spiritual formation components built into it.
• All students journey through a sequence of core, spiritual formation courses under the guidance of a professor.
• Within spiritual formation courses you get academic content, formational experiences, small-group accountability and fellowship.
• We offer traditional spiritual formation courses such as those focused on prayer and spiritual life, as well as specialty courses to give you various pathways for growth.

Spiritual Formation Programs

Whether you come to Portland Seminary seeking a master's degree, a doctorate or to simply grow in your faith, we offer the following programs designed to help you deepen your spiritual formation commitment.

• Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
• Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation

Courses with a Spiritual Formation Emphasis

Who are you? How do you view God and how is the Spirit working in your life? How do you engage like Christ those around you?

Pretty deep questions. But they are the kinds of questions we love to tackle! And they are the queries we discuss in our classes that have a strong spiritual formation component. Among them:

• Self-in-Connection with the Triune God
• The Life of Prayer in the Christian Tradition
• Restorative Justice and the Shalom of God
• Wholeness and Healing in Christian Ministry
• Sacred Stories of Formation
• History of Spirituality and Renewal
• Loss and Life: Spiritual Practices and Generative Perspectives
• Listening and Discernment

Be sure to ask seminaries:

How do you weave spiritual formation for students into your programs?

Note: Portions of this page are excerpted from an article written by Portland Seminary professor   MaryKate Morse .

A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation

“The way to spiritual wholeness lies in an increasingly faithful response to the One whose purpose shapes our path, whose grace redeems our detours, whose power liberates us from crippling bondages of the prior journey and whose transforming presence meets us at each turn in the road.” – M. Robert Mulholland

Spiritual formation has become one of the major movements of the late twentieth century. Spiritualities of all varieties have emerged on the landscape of our culture—Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Zen, various Eastern meditation techniques, New Age spirituality and a confusing welter of cults, to say nothing of chemically induced alterations of consciousness.

In the face of a radical loss of meaning, value and purpose engendered by a largely materialistic, hedonistic, consumer society, human hearts are hungering for deeper realities in which their fragmented lives can find some measure of wholeness and integrity.  They are seeking deeper experiences with God through which their troubled lives can find meaning, value, purpose and identity.

Wandering in the wilderness

The Christian community, which should have been a clear voice of liberation and wholeness in the wilderness of human bondage and brokenness, has too often been merely an echo of the culture, further confusing those on a wandering and haphazard quest for wholeness. A multitude of Christian “gurus” have emerged who promise their followers life, liberty and the perfection of happiness. Superficial pop spiritualities abound, promising heaven on earth but producing only failure and frustration for those genuinely hungering and thirsting after God.

Much contemporary Christian spirituality tends to view the spiritual life as a static possession rather than a dynamic and ever-developing growth toward wholeness in the image of Christ. When spirituality is viewed as a static possession, the way to spiritual wholeness is seen as the acquisition of information and techniques that enable us to gain possession of the desired state of spirituality. Discipleship is perceived as “my” spiritual life and tends to be defined by actions that ensure its possession. Thus the endless quest for techniques, methods, programs by which we hope to “achieve” spiritual fulfillment.

The hidden premise behind all of this is the unquestioned assumption that we alone are in control of our spirituality. In brief, we assume we are in control of our relationship with God.

A pilgrimage of deepening responsiveness to God

When spirituality is viewed as a journey, however, the way to spiritual wholeness is seen to lie in an increasingly faithful response to the One whose purpose shapes our path, whose grace redeems our detours, whose power liberates us from crippling bondages of the prior journey and whose transforming presence meets us at each turn in the road. In other words, holistic spirituality is a pilgrimage of deepening responsiveness to God’s control of our life and being.

There are many definitions of spiritual formation. Some call for unquestioned and absolute obedience to a leader or a ruling group. Some call for certain evidences that are believed to confirm one’s spirituality (such as speaking in tongues or handling snakes). Some promise plenty and prosperity to those who fulfill certain requirements. Some consist of do’s and don’ts. Some seem to allow almost any behavior as part of their spirituality.

How does one select from such a welter of options?

A Biblical witness

Perhaps selection is not the correct step. It may be better for me to put forth a working definition of spiritual formation that has integrity with the scriptural witness to life in relationship with God, and let you work out its relationship to whatever other definition of spiritual formation you may have adopted.

My working definition of spiritual formation is fourfold:  (1) a process (2) of being formed (3) in the image of Christ (4) for the sake of others.

Scripture is quite clear in its insistence that we have fallen short of God’s purposes for our creation. It is equally clear in its revelation that God works graciously through all the aspects of human life to bring us to the fulfillment of God’s will for our wholeness. Thus spiritual formation is a process of involvement with God’s gracious work. Once we understand spiritual formation as a process, all of life becomes spiritual formation.

Going against the grain

But spiritual formation as a process will be seen to move against the grain of our instant gratification culture and the possessiveness of an acquisitive society. Cooperation with God’s gracious work moves us toward the wholeness of Christ. Rebellion against God’s gracious work moves us into destructive and dehumanizing emptiness, into increasingly dysfunctional lives that are self-destructive and treat others as objects to be manipulated and used for our own purposes.

Scripture is also clear in its witness to the fact that only God can liberate us from our bondage, heal our brokenness, cleanse us from our uncleanness and bring life out of our deadness. We cannot do it by ourselves. Thus spiritual formation is the experience of being shaped by God toward wholeness. But spiritual formation as “being formed” will also be seen to move against the grain of our do-it-yourself culture and our powerful need to be in control of our existence. Generally, we like to lift ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Self-reliance is deeply ingrained in us. To allow someone else to control our life is seen as weakness, to be avoided at all costs. The English poet, William Henley, captured the spirit of our culture well when he wrote, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

But spiritual formation as “being formed” will reveal that God is the initiator of our growth toward wholeness and we are to be pliable clay in God’s hand. Scripture reveals from the very beginning that human wholeness is associated with the image of God. We are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26‑27). The New Testament parallel to this is that we are to become the likeness of Christ (2 Cor 3:18), who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15).

For the sake of others

Spiritual formation in the image of Christ will also be seen to move against the grain of our self-actualization culture and prevailing perspectives which tend to create God in our image. The image of Christ will be seen as the ultimate reality of human wholeness, the consummation for which each heart longs. It will also be seen to be cruciform in the essence of its nature; a dying is involved in our growth toward wholeness, a cross on which we lose our old self with its bondages and brokenness.

Scripture reveals that human wholeness is always actualized in nurturing one another toward wholeness, whether within the covenant community of God’s people or in the role of God’s people in healing brokenness and injustice in the world. Spiritual formation “for the sake of others” will be seen to move against the grain of a privatized and individualized religion and the deep-seated belief that spiritual life is a matter between the individual and God.

There can be no wholeness in the image of Christ which is not incarnate in our relationships with others, both in the body of Christ and in the world.

©M. Robert Mulholland, 2016. This article is adapted from   Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation  Prologue and Introduction to Part 1 (InterVarsity Press, 2016.)

Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.

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hi there, Rick

Grateful for these articles on spiritual formation with a Biblical view. Wonder if the definition might be more fully applied if includes…’for the sake of myself and others’ God’s love is personal and community lived out… Thank you for helping us in this process

Pat, Good call. That is actually the addition Ruth makes to Mulholland’s definition. She discusses this in the interview she did with Bob before his passing in 2015. https://transformingcenter.org/2020/05/season-9-episode-10-spiritual-transformation-for-the-sake-of-others/

[…] M. Robert. Convite para uma viagem: Um Roteiro para a Formação Espiritual. Disponível em: < https://transformingcenter.org/2016/05/nature-spiritual-formation/ >. Acesso em […]

Thank for sharing this. Robert Mulholland’s writing continues to encourage me to follow the path of spiritual formation.

This article deeply resonates with me. I am grateful for His grace redeeming my far too many detours. To me this is the “narrow road” which is heart-centric around Christ. I am tired of traveling the “broad road” of choosing to impress over impacting, of being driven, of chasing significance and recognition and a finish line that doesn’t exist. I’m weary of soul abuse of chasing the world and losing my soul. Yesterday while bike riding the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart re: come to Jesus afresh. To daily come to Jesus means leaving the place of controlling my life. I long for a community of Christ-followers where I/we can grow in authentic spiritual formation.

So honest…thank you! Wish you could join us in Transforming Community; sounds like you’re ready! Bless you.

I would love to be a part of a Transforming Community. I live in the Washington, DC. Is there one in my area?

All retreats are currently being held in Chicagoland. There is a community now forming. You can get all the details here: https://transformingcenter.org/in/leadership-formation/index.shtml#.V1DpfVc5m9o

Dr. Mullholand was my exegesis instructor in 94. What a deep Spiritual man he was. I was deeply saddened to hear of his death last year.

We miss him also. Grateful that we can participate in stewarding his work.

Thanks for your definition of spiritual foundation. As a pastor for over 40 years now, I’m sorry to say that I think I’ve added to society’s need/desire for “instant gratification and the possessiveness of an acquisitive society.” Way too many of my sermons were “How to” in nature and left the impression that one could accomplish their sanctification by a set of steps or applied principles. I’m personally, now in my close to retirement stage of life, seeking to learn how to be open to God’s formation of my spirit.

You are most welcome. Thank you for your vulnerability, it is a great encouragement to us. Blessings as you seek to be faithful to what God is showing you about yourself and your leadership. It sounds like you are on a good journey.

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Mapping Your Spiritual Journey

• By Bill Gaultiere

What’s your spiritual life story? How would you describe your journey with Jesus?

Those are not easy questions to answer! Typically, if we share our spiritual autobiography or part of it, either we talk it out or write it down. Telling a soul friend or guide the key aspects of the story of how we’ve connected with God or drifted from him over time is important for all of us to do periodically. It helps us to integrate our lives and open ourselves further to the work of the Holy Spirit. It also enables us to be more helpful in our ministry to others, whether as a pastor, spiritual director, counselor, or parent.

It’s especially helpful if we learn how to review our life story in light of the needs, stages, and dynamics of spiritual and psychological development.

This approach to reviewing your life story favors the left-brain because it’s verbal, linear, and rational, though some brain research indicates that story-telling integrates the two hemispheres.

Telling Your Story With Your Right Brain

It’s also good to tell our stories in ways that make substantial use of our right brain that’s more emotional, relational, holistic, and creative. To do this you can share your story by plotting it on a life map or graph or by making a collage from magazine clippings. If you’ve never done this you’d be surprised at the emotional healing and spiritual enlightenment it can facilitate!

When you visually map out your spiritual journey on paper using a few key parameters then the jumbled parts become more orderly and the painful parts can open to God’s grace. It’s especially helpful if you do this with a friend or small group. In our TLC certificate training for pastors and leaders we invite everyone to map out their spiritual formation story along our model of developmental stages: “LIFE in CHRIST.” (See “ LIFE in CHRIST: Questions on Developmental Stages .”)

My Life Story Map

Kristi completed “My Life Story Map” with a friend and found it very encouraging. She made a six year timeline by year at the top. Then using different colored markers she filled in key events, people, places, vocations, and avocations graphing them as highs (successes, blessings, or positive influences), lows (losses, hurts, or negative influences), or in between. Finally at the bottom of her life story map she recorded the insights she gleaned from the process. (This resource is part of a book published by “ OneLife Maps .”)

The colorful result reflects the progression of Kristi’s beautiful soul through the joys and pains in our family and the challenges of launching Soul Shepherding as a nonprofit ministry and serving in it full time during the worst economy in America since the Great Depression! We’re thankful to God and our ministry partners for supporting us!

In 1994 I was in Ray Ortlund, Sr.’s year-long Discipleship Group for pastors and leaders. We went on a weekend retreat together. We sang praise to God, meditated on Scripture, enjoyed community meals, and shared our spiritual journey stories. To guide our sharing each of us made a Life Graph like the one Kristi did recently, but much simpler. On the left axis is a satisfaction scale of 1 to 10. And the bottom lays out periods of life.

As you can see, it’s a rather quick and rough sketch, but it was still quite helpful, both for me personally and for our community.

A Spiritual Collage

A great way to prayerfully sort your feelings and thoughts at a particular life transition or stress point is to get out a stack of magazines and clip out words and pictures to form a collage. If you did a collage for each of the key periods in your life you could tell your spiritual story.

I made this “Decisions” collage late in 2008 when we were praying about starting a nonprofit ministry to pastors.

A Life Map With Sticky Notes

This life map is like “My Life Story Map” above except that you write down the events and related insights on different colored sticky notes. The great benefit of the sticky notes is that you can move them around and re-order them! This comes in very handy because you’ll remember your story in a jumbled order.

I completed this Life Map of my spiritual journey shortly after the collage as part of a “Discovery Retreat” led by Tom Ashbrook with “Imago Christi,” a spiritual formation ministry of CRM (Church Resource Ministries). Kristi also did one as did some of our friends who joined us! This exercise was particularly helpful because we analyzed our life stories as spiritual formation journey’s with consolations and desolations and moving through developmental stages.  (Based on Mansion of the Heart,  Tom’s book on Teresa of Avila’s paradigm.)

The key at the bottom explains the system I used to graph my spiritual journey.

• Tags: Christian psychology , Spiritual Development , Spiritual Direction/Mentoring

Further Reading

Spiritual Direction or Coaching? Choosing What’s Best For You

What is Spiritual Direction?

How to Help Others According to Jesus

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Copyright ©2023 Soul Shepherding

About Renovaré

• Renovaré Covenant

Spiritual Formation

• The Six Streams
• Spiritual Disciplines
• Global Expressions

We are all spiritual beings. We have physical bodies, but our lives are largely driven by an unseen part of us. There is an immaterial center in us that shapes the way we see the world and ourselves, directs the choices we make, and guides our actions. Our spirit is the most important part of who we are. And yet we rarely spend time developing our inner life. That’s what Spiritual Formation is all about.

Spiritual Formation is a process, but it is also a journey through which we open our hearts to a deeper connection with God. We are not bystanders in our spiritual lives, we are active participants with God, who is ever inviting us into relationship with him.

Jesus said, ​ “ I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10 : 10 ). We at Renovaré believe that such abundant life is possible here and now because Jesus showed us the way to it. As we take on the life of Jesus – become like him – we experience a richness in life and faith that is truly renewed day by day (Col. 3 : 10 ).

Why is Spiritual Formation Important?

Closeness with God brings us true freedom and fullness (Jn. 8 : 36 , Col. 2 : 9  –  10 ). Yet many people – Christians included – find their lives fall short of the kind Jesus promised and proclaimed. If God is present with us, why is there so little joy, power, energy, and peace in our lives?

We keep trying: to find happiness, to experience God, to fill the emptiness. And that’s the problem. Trying just tires us out, distracts us from what’s important, and discourages us when we fail.

We are eternal beings, but have lost sight of eternal living. We spend time, energy, and money on our physical needs, but neglect our souls. Our misplaced efforts leave us feeling powerless and detached from God.

That’s not how God intended it to be. We are meant to be in relationship with God and others in a way that is dynamic, whole, and fresh every day (John 17 : 24 , 2  Cor 4 : 16 ) – relationship that extends beyond church services into every facet of our lives.

Spiritual Formation helps us reclaim our relationship with God as it was meant to be. It’s not trying – it’s training in eternal living, determined discipleship to Jesus Christ, and the way we discover the renewable source of spiritual energy we’ve been looking for ( 2 Cor 4 : 16 ).

What the Bible Says About Spiritual Formation

“ Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand” (Matt 3 : 2 , 4 : 17 , 10 : 7 ). This is a call for us to reconsider how we have been approaching our life, in light of the fact that we now, in the presence of Jesus, have the option of living within the surrounding movements of God’s eternal purposes, of taking our life into his life. —Dallas Willard

The Bible has a lot to say about Spiritual Formation. Below are just a few passages that encourage us in spiritual renewal. If you’re interested in learning more, Renovaré’s Life with God Bible provides a comprehensive perspective on Spiritual Formation throughout scripture, including an index of passages that highlight 18 different spiritual disciplines found in the Bible.

2 Corinthians 3 : 18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4 : 16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Ephesians 4 : 20  –  24

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life … Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

1 Timothy 4 : 7  –  8

… train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Colossians 3 : 10  –  11

Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Titus 2 : 11  –  14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Next: The Six Streams

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Spiritual Formation at Bethel Seminary: A Life-changing Journey

Bethel seminary intentionally integrates spiritual and personal formation into every area of learning, preparing ministry leaders who are self aware, other aware—and transformed by a deeper relationship with god..

By Michelle Westlund '83, senior content specialist

July 31, 2020 | 3:30 p.m.

Faculty serve as role models, guides, and mentors as students pursue a life-changing journey at Bethel Seminary.

Your first year at Bethel Seminary, you took a course in hermeneutics. You studied the Old and New Testaments, theology, church history. Then you took the required course in spiritual and personal formation, and suddenly you realized—these concepts seemed familiar. Somehow you’ve been doing this all along, in every discipline you’ve studied so far.

And that’s no accident. Spiritual and personal formation are integrated into Bethel Seminary’s curriculum in ways that are intentional and unique. “Integration is one of the strengths of Bethel Seminary,” says Jeff Sanders, associate dean of formation and professional development. “No other seminary does it the same way. We try to stay true to thinking holistically.”

Bethel’s been doing this for years. In fact, says Sanders, the concept was part of the philosophy of Bethel’s founder, John Alexis Edgren, who emphasized the connection between faith and the educational process. But in 1995, Bethel Seminary created an intentional structure, called the Three Centers, that changed the seminary’s culture and rippled out to impact culture in general. The centers included biblical and theological foundations, transformational leadership, and spiritual and personal formation—a three-fold emphasis that addressed a significant issue in church leadership.

That issue was leadership failure. In the 1990s, churches nationwide were facing a catastrophic number of personal and moral failures of leadership. Seminaries began to consider new strategies for training leaders who were better prepared to face the ministry demands of the current culture. At Bethel, Leland Eliason, then executive vice president and dean, instituted the groundbreaking Three Centers approach, requiring students to balance their biblical and theological studies with leadership training and spiritual and personal formation. “The genius of Leland,” says Sanders, “was that he gave structure and language to the integration of spiritual growth and formation. There was intentionality about it.”

Sanders also credits Carla Dahl, the first director of the Center for Spiritual and Personal Formation, for developing the formation arc and course content that are still used at Bethel Seminary today. “We are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, dreamed this, and built it,” he says.

“Students often come to seminary not fully understanding what spiritual and personal formation is. But when they experience it here, the response we hear over and over is how much it changed their life.”

Today, Bethel Seminary continues to build on that strong foundation. Spiritual formation courses—as well as courses in biblical studies, theology, and leadership—help students explore multiple levels of their own spiritual and personal journey, including context, church background, emotional health, emotional intelligence, family of origin, spiritual practices, and leadership styles. “We invite students to be increasingly self- and other-aware,” says Sanders. “This process is not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Master of Divinity student Rose Nelessen ’23 says Bethel’s integration of spiritual and personal formation is unlike anything she imagined. “The resources we read and watch and discuss in our courses always challenge or deepen my understanding of not only the person I was created to be, but the ways in which I was always meant to bring my whole self into relationship with both God and neighbor,” she says. “And my professors, even in hermeneutics and leadership courses, ask about and even hold me accountable for my personal spiritual growth. They care so much about the health and wellbeing of my personal relationship with Christ to the point where it actually astounds me.”

Fiona Tranquillo ’22, a student in the marriage and family therapy (MFT) program, says that Bethel’s emphasis on spiritual and personal formation has pushed her toward a richer and fuller view of God. “I've been able to appreciate my personal experience of God and the Christian tradition I grew up in,” she says, “but also catch a bigger vision of our God who is at work in many ways, in many different kinds of people, and across many expressions of the Christian faith. As a marriage and family therapy student, I am reminded again and again that the therapist is one of the primary tools of therapy. We are brought back to the idea of spiritual and personal formation in every course because who we are truly, deeply matters in the therapy room.”

And that’s true for every student, in every discipline. “We want students to understand that the depth and breadth of who they are matters in every area of their lives and ministries,” says Sanders. This emphasis on developing awareness leads to graduates who are better equipped to deal with the challenges of ministry in mature, Christ-centered ways—and churches and ministry agencies have taken notice. “Since its inception, our integration of spiritual and personal formation has connected incredibly well with churches, pastors, clinical directors, and therapy agencies,” says Sanders. “The practical nature of this training is real for people in the trenches. We regularly get questions and requests from other ministries, wondering how we do it.”

You know how they do it. You’ve experienced it in every course, in every discipline, with every professor. Somehow the carefully crafted structure and intentional integration create a space for something profound to happen. In this sacred space, you meet God—and yourself—in powerful, transformative new ways. You’ll never be the same.

Study at Bethel Seminary.

Bethel Seminary empowers leaders so they can effectively respond to God’s call. Three emphases of study—in biblical and theological studies, spiritual and personal formation, and leadership—encourage transformation in every student, so graduates can carry the transforming message of Jesus Christ into the world with confidence and compassion.

Volume 35 - Issue 3

Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective

Based on the 2009 Wheaton Theology Conference, Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective thoughtfully engages and critiques contemporary understandings of spiritual formation. Secondarily, it addresses misunderstandings as to the relationship between Scripture and tradition and suggests how spiritual disciplines might be properly practiced within the local church. This collection of essays calls for theological reflection upon both our reading(s) of Scripture and traditional practices throughout church history seeking after the recovery of a balanced discipleship that is rooted in the work of the Holy Spirit and the believer’s appropriation of that power in his or her own faith journey. Organized in three sections, the book invites the reader to consider not only why churches, pastors, and seminaries need to take spiritual formation more seriously, but why spiritual formation must become a central priority for the believer and the church.

In part one, “Theological Contours,” Jeffrey P. Greenman (“Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective”) offers a more “ ‘theologically oriented’ definition of spiritual formation” (p. 11) that challenges more problem-solving or programmatic approaches to discipleship and personal spirituality. Gordon Fee (“On Getting the Spirit Back into Spirituality”) addresses the need to link a proper theological interpretation of Scripture to our understanding of the Spirit’s transformation of believers. His contribution is perhaps unique among the contributors as he examines several Pauline passages in order to demonstrate that the majority of English translations often misconstrue Paul’s use of pneumatikos , interpreting it adjectivally rather than as the subject. One example is found in Gal 6:1, where the NIV denotes those who are “spiritual” are to restore gently a brother or sister who is caught in sin, contra what Fee notes as the more syntactically and theologically accurate translation of those “who live by the Spirit.” He carefully notes that such a poor translation is possible, in part, due to the artificial separation of Gal 6 “from all the Spirit talk that has immediately preceded it, which includes the so-called fruit of the Spirit” (p. 39). Therefore, Fee sees the Spirit as “both the ‘locus’ and ‘enabler’ of our lives as believers” (p. 44), allowing us to understand that spiritual formation is both located in and empowered by the Spirit of God. Dallas Willard’s “Spiritual Formation as a Natural Part of Salvation” concludes this section with challenging construals of salvation that are based on either behavior modification or a professing of right doctrine. Instead, he offers an understanding of salvation where sanctification as the fruit of justification is witnessed via transformed lives and churches. This, of course, directly challenges those who see no connection between “being saved” and spiritual formation. But Willard rightly wants us to see that connection, wherein we understand “the process as formation of the human spirit as well as formation by the divine Spirit, for it is indeed both” (p. 46).

Opening the second part, “Historical Approaches,” George Kalantzis (“From the Porch to the Cross”) invites evangelicals to paths of discipleship that have already been tried and trod by early generations of believers, understanding that spiritual formation has been a part of the faith from the beginning. Lawrence S. Cunningham (“The Way and the Ways”), a Roman Catholic, notes that his tradition’s “spirituality is … a trinitarian enterprise” (p. 85), allowing for many different expressions of spirituality within orthodoxy from which to choose. While some Evangelicals may be concerned with Cunningham’s citing Liberation theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez, he does so in order to appropriately underscore the concept of “the Way” within the motif of the spiritual journey and that, while having not “arrived,” this journey does have a particular eschatological ending. Kelly M. Kapic (“Evangelical Holiness”) examines John Owen’s writings on distinguishing between Christian spirituality, as dependent upon God’s grace, and a life of moral virtue, in which one relies upon their own external behavior. D. Bruce Hindmarsh (“Seeking True Religion”) proffers the examples of John Wesley and George Overton as models for encouraging spiritual transformation through resourcing collections of ecumenical devotional materials for lay people.

Lastly, “Spiritual Practices” examines contemporary applications of spiritual disciplines coupled with greater theological reflection upon some of the more central practices. Christopher A. Hall (“Reading Christ into the Heart”) reflects on practicing lectio divina as a re-learning of the gospel for a better understanding of and fidelity to God’s call. It is an invitation to allow Scripture to address “both [our] intellect and [our] affections,” where “Christ’s words are percolating within [us]” (p. 142), forming Christ within us. Hall’s main point is that evangelicals need a reading of Scripture that complements but is separate from one that focuses solely on grammar and syntax, equally allowing the Word of God to engage our sanctified imaginations as well as our reason. For all of the strength of his presentation, however, Hall fails to note the ease of lectio divina ’s being misconstrued into a subjective, individualistic hermeneutic without proper preparation or teaching. While this is no reason to reject this or any other spiritual practice, this blind spot speaks to the overall need for wisdom in how one introduces spiritual formation to those less familiar with these practices. Susan S. Phillips (“Spiritual Direction as a Navigational Aid in Sanctification”) writes from her experiences and interactions as a spiritual director, noting how this position has proven helpful to others in their personal faith journey and transformation. James Wilhoit (“Centering Prayer”) considers this somewhat controversial form of prayer as a means of our consenting daily to God’s presence and purpose in our lives. Cherith Fee Nordling (“Renewed in Knowledge in the Image of Our Creator”) offers a perspective on the weekly practice of congregational worship as spiritual formation, particularly corporate singing, through which Christians enter into and experience the transforming presence of God. Finally, David Gushee (“Spiritual Formation and the Sanctity of Life”) writes of ethics as spiritual practice whereby we commit to kingdom values in the way in which we conceive of and treat all people. Linda Cannell’s epilogue (“Theology, Spiritual Formation, and Theological Education”) addresses the need for theological education to adequately prepare pastors for ministry in a twenty-first century parish context, contending that seminaries must think about spiritual formation as part of the relationship between knowledge and learning.

Many years after Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline (1978) first broached spiritual formation within the context of contemporary evangelicalism, Life in the Spirit thoughtfully self-examines the current state of discipleship within evangelicalism. It consciously challenges popular construals of spiritual formation that tend to be self-serving rather than conforming us to the image of Christ. The scholars assembled offer mature theological reflections and practical directions for further consideration and practice for both the church and believer. By including the Roman Catholic tradition, evangelicals are offered insights into spiritual formation as practiced over many centuries, encouraging the thoughtful borrowing from within and without one’s own tradition, as well as throughout church history. At the same time, however, other voices might further enrich this discussion. Eastern Orthodoxy, for example, may bring further historical insights and thoughtful practices into this discussion. From evangelicalism’s edges, some Emerging congregations offer examples of body life and discipleship formed around concepts of spiritual formation, applying them within their own contemporary contexts. Perhaps such perspectives would create greater unity even as they deepen this conversation.

One clear value is this book’s accessibility to lay people and scholars alike. Each essay adds to the strength of the overall argument of the whole book. Altogether, these essays should move readers to prayerful self-examination and thoughtful theological engagement while emphasizing the power and value of biblically grounded spiritual disciplines and their role in the daily loving of the Lord and one another. As such, Life in the Spirit calls for ongoing dialogue while offering a positive vision for properly incorporating spiritual formation into the everyday life of the church, therefore furthering its purity and mission as the body of Christ in the world.

David Derek Feiser

David Derek Feiser Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Deerfield, Illinois, USA

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Spiritual Formation

A Concise Introduction and Guide

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• Corneliu C. Simuț 0

Aurel Vlaicu University, Arad, Romania

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

Front matter, introduction: a concise survey of spiritual formation.

Corneliu C. Simuț

‘Renewal in Its Various Stages of Progress’: Spiritual Formation as Divine Journey in Origen Adamantius

‘our struggle is for the contemplation of the holy trinity’: spiritual formation as divine contemplation in evagrius ponticus, ‘god, soul, and flesh’: spiritual formation as divine embodiment in aurelius augustine, ‘endure hard labor for christ’: spiritual formation as christological imitation in thomas à kempis, ‘the word that brings the voice’: spiritual formation as christological speaking in martin luther, ‘christ had to become ours’: spiritual formation as christological living in john calvin, ‘universal obedience is essential’: spiritual formation as constant mortification in john owen, ‘let me never be separated from him’: spiritual formation as total submission in blaise pascal, ‘all the talents he has’: spiritual formation as christian perfection in john wesley, ‘they will reign in love’: spiritual formation as sanctified affections in jonathan edwards, ‘the book has warmed my heart’: spiritual formation as bible reading in charles spurgeon, ‘we catechize because we must’: spiritual formation as evangelistic catechesis in james packer, conclusion: spiritual formation as transformative reality, back matter.

• Evagrius Ponticus
• Thomas à Kempis
• John Calvin

About this book

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Book Title : Spiritual Formation

Book Subtitle : A Concise Introduction and Guide

Authors : Corneliu C. Simuț

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97447-3

Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan Cham

eBook Packages : Religion and Philosophy , Philosophy and Religion (R0)

Copyright Information : The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-030-97446-6 Published: 27 April 2022

eBook ISBN : 978-3-030-97447-3 Published: 26 April 2022

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XIII, 103

Topics : Christian Theology

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14 episodes

Welcome to Journey Together, a podcast for Christian women who want a deeper relationship with God. In these episodes, you’ll find help and hope to address church hurt, get unstuck, and revive your spiritual life. I believe that more than ever before, we need women who have deep relationships with God to lead younger believers in their spiritual formation journeys. And that starts with being intentional with your own spiritual growth. So join me on Tuesday mornings while you make your coffee, or whenever you have 15 minutes to listen during your week, and let’s Journey Together.

Journey Together - Spiritual Growth for Christian Women Brigette Henry - Christian Spiritual Formation Coach

• Religion & Spirituality
• 5.0 • 2 Ratings
• APR 30, 2024

A Word About Overcommitment

Do you struggle with overcommitment? Learn how overcommiting affects our quiet time, our families and our relationship with God. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-bundle-giveaway FIND YOUR FOCUS QUIZ LINK: https://brigettehenry.com/find-your-focus-quiz/ THE QUIET TIME GUIDE: https://brigettehenry.com/the-quiet-time-guide Journey Together FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/journeytogetherchristianwomen Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/a-word-about-overcommitment Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• APR 23, 2024

My Favorite Quiet Time Resources

Hear about five of my favorite quiet time resources plus a new resource from me releasing this Friday, April 26th! NOTE: During recording, I mentioned blueletterbible.com, but the correct url is blueletterbible.org. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-bundle-giveaway FIND YOUR FOCUS QUIZ LINK: https://brigettehenry.com/find-your-focus-quiz/ DISCIPLERS BIBLE STUDIES: https://www.disciplersonline.org/ BIBLE PROJECT VIDEOS: https://bibleproject.com/explore/ VAL MARIE PAPER PRAYER JOURNALS: https://www.valmariepaper.com/about/journals/ LOGOS BIBLE STUDY APP: https://www.logos.com/get-started BLUE LETTER BIBLE: https://blueletterbible.org MY FAVORITE RESOURCES: https://brigettehenry.com/my-favorite-resources/ Journey Together FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/journeytogetherchristianwomen Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/my-favorite-quiet-time-resources Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• APR 16, 2024

Quiet Time Rhythms

Quiet Time Rhythms help us practice quiet time consistently while also giving us the freedom to change things up when necessary. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-bundle-giveaway FIND YOUR FOCUS QUIZ LINK: https://brigettehenry.com/find-your-focus-quiz/ SOAP, ACTS, and JOY PRINTABLE PAGES: https://mailchi.mp/7d04916bf47a/soap-joy-acts-sub-page Journey Together FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/journeytogetherchristianwomen Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-rhythms Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• APR 9, 2024

What Is A Quiet Time?

Quiet time is intentional time spent with God in order to realign your heart with His. Learn why quiet time is crucial to the Christian life. Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Journey Together FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/journeytogetherchristianwomen Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-bundle-giveaway Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/what-is-a-quiet-time Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] Podcast Episode on Extra-Biblical Resources: https://brigettehenry.com/how-to-use-extra-biblical-resources/ All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• APR 2, 2024

Quiet Time Lies We All Believe In

Lies we believe about our quiet time keep us from spending that precious time with God. I'm confronting 10 lies from the devil that have kept me from spending time with God. Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Journey Together FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/journeytogetherchristianwomen Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/quiet-time-lies-we-all-believe-in/ Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• MAR 26, 2024

Biblical Self-Care (Mind, Body, Heart & Soul)

Self-care is usually a difficult conversation in Christian circles. Is Self-care selfish? How much is too much? This episode of the Journey Together Podcast explores a biblical argument for Self-care: Mind, Body, Heart & Soul. Music by: Morning Garden - Acoustic Chill by Olexy on Pixabay My website: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com⁠ Interested in 1:1 coaching: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/coaching⁠ Subscribe to my weekly email: ⁠https://brigettehenry.com/subscribe⁠ Me-Date Worksheet: https://mailchi.mp/b64bfb3c6510/5zi9keevyn Podcast Transcript: https://brigettehenry.com/biblical-self-care-mind-body-heart-soul Contact me at: ⁠[email protected] All scripture is CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

• © Brigette Henry - Christian Spiritual Formation Coach

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Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation Paperback – August 7, 1993

• Part of series Transforming Resources
• Print length 173 pages
• Language English
• Publisher IVP Books
• Publication date August 7, 1993
• Dimensions 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
• ISBN-10 0830813861
• ISBN-13 978-0830813865
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Since 1947, InterVarsity Press (IVP) has been publishing thoughtful Christian books that shape both the lives of readers and the cultures they inhabit. Throughout these seventy-five years, our books and authors have established a legacy of speaking boldly into important cultural moments, providing timeless tools for spiritual growth, and equipping Christians for a vibrant life of faith.

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Books; 60345th edition (August 7, 1993)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 173 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0830813861
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0830813865
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
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M. robert mulholland.

M. Robert Mulholland Jr. (Th.D., Harvard) is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including Shaped by the Word (Upper Room), Revelation (Zondervan), and the landmark spiritual formation book Invitation to a Journey (IVP).

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Pope's May Prayer Intention: For the formation of men and women religious

By Francesca Merlo

This May, Pope Francis has invited us to offer our prayers for "the formation of men and women religious, and seminarians". 

In his video announcing his Prayer intention for the month of May, Pope Francis recalls that every vocation is a “diamond in the rough” that needs to be polished, worked, and shaped on every side.

The Holy Father notes that "a good priest, sister, or nun, must above all else be a man, a woman who is formed, shaped by the Lord’s grace". These are people who are aware of their own limitations and who are willing to "lead a life of prayer, of dedicated witness to the Gospel".

In his message entrusted to the  Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network , the Pope reminds us that beginning in the seminary or novitiate, their preparation must develop integrally in direct contact with the lives of other people. This, he added, "is essential".

It is important to note that formation does not end at a specific moment, such as ordination, but rather continues throughout life, integrating the person intellectually, humanly, affectively, and spiritually. 

Preparation continues into that of living in a community. "Life in community is so enriching, even though it can be difficult at times".

"Living together is not the same as living in community", adds the Pope. 

Finally, Pope Francis asks that we pray that "men and women religious, and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual, and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel". 

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This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of May

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

CNA Staff, May 1, 2024 / 06:00 am

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of May is for the formation of men and women religious and for seminarians.

“Every vocation is a ‘diamond in the rough’ that needs to be polished, worked, shaped on every side,” the pope said in a video released April 30.

“A good priest, sister, or nun must above all else be a man, a woman who is formed, shaped by the Lord’s grace, people who are aware of their own limitations and willing to lead a life of prayer, of dedicated witness to the Gospel,” he said, adding: “Beginning in the seminary and the novitiate, their preparation must be developed integrally, in direct contact with the lives of other people. This is essential.”

The Holy Father pointed out that “formation does not end at a certain moment but continues throughout life, integrating the person intellectually, humanly, affectively, spiritually.”

“There’s also preparation to live in community — life in community is so enriching, even though it can be difficult at times. Living together is not the same as living in community.”

He concluded with a prayer: “Let us pray that men and women religious, and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual, and community formation that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.”

Pope Francis’ prayer video is promoted by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network , which raises awareness of monthly papal prayer intentions.

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