Spiritual Formation

Discipleship. Sanctification. Growth. Whatever you call it, Spiritual Formation (my preferred term) is necessary as a Christ-follower. If you are not developing a deeper love for Jesus which will express itself in mission and service, you're probably not a believer in the first place. So what are the necessary components of Spiritual Formation? Basically, I believe there are four:

1) Participation in the larger body of Christ. This includes worshipping together, learning together, and serving together.

2) Involvment in a smaller body of Christ. Gathering in a small group of believers allows for better encouragement & support, care, and simply developing friendships.

3) Exercising contemplative disciplines. This includes times of personal prayer, meditation, scripture reading, silence, & solitude. This is 'you and God' time where you listen to Him through his word and internal leadings and where you talk to him through prayer, giving praise, confessing, receiving forgiveness, and making petitions.

4) Exercising active disciplines. Active disciplines are along the lines of serving, witnessing, giving of your resources, and depending on your gifting, leading or teaching. These active disciplines can be done in a personal or group context, but always involve you demonstrating God's love to someone else for God's glory.

It is easy to boil down spiritual growth (or formation) to a bible study or prayer time. But it is detrimental to exclude the components of community and active service, for this is what Jesus Himself modeled for us. We see him taking much time alone between Him and the Father, but we also see Him living in community with the disciples (and spending time with Moses & Elijah on a mountaintop, as well as hearing His Father speak to him a couple times in quite the thundering voice), and we see him actively loving people through His teaching, friendship, and healings.

If you're not already, begin to look at your spiritual life holictically. Don't just reduce it disproportionate times alone. Allow the church to speak into you and put some feet to your faith just like Jesus did.