What is spiritual formation?

General Faith
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What is spiritual formation?

At its core, it’s the practices (prayer, Scripture, fasting, silence, fellowship) that shape us into the likeness of Christ over time.

But it’s actually one of the more debated ideas in the modern church. Some see it as simply naming what Christians have always done. Others worry it’s drifted toward mysticism or a works-based approach to holiness, as if enough discipline could earn what only grace can give.

So what do you think? Do you practice things like silence, fasting, or solitude as part of your walk with God, and has anyone ever raised concerns to you about it?

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I see our “spiritual” connection with God as complete at the instant of our being placed into the body of Christ we we believe the gospel that Christ died, was buried, and rose again in payment for our sins.

If one defines spiritual formation what happens after we have a spiritual connection to God, then one is talking about Christian maturity which might be measured by the degree to which we have transitioned from the flesh to walking by the Spirit.

Sadly some people substitute “Christiany” things like meditation, fasting, excessive prayer in almost Pharisee like posturing that just feeds the flesh.

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The church I used to attend practiced and taught spiritual formation. It was new to me and I participated for a time. My conclusion was that they were after a spiritual experience of God as opposed to God. At times it almost seemed manipulative in that there was an expectation of something as a result of whatever practice they were doing.
There are all kinds of spiritual practices. More than you’ve mentioned and it depends on the church. One of the practices of this church was to repeat a line of Scripture over and over until one word seemed to speak to you. A neighboring church had a labyrinth. Prayer, fasting, and meditating on Scripture is a normal part of a Christian’s life and if someone wants to call it Spiritual Formation, then so be it.

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@JennyLynne

As I have grown in Jesus, as I have undergone the process of “sanctification”, as I have “put off the old man and put on the new”, it can be said I have been being “formed in Christ”. Richard Foster coined the phrase “Spiritual Formation” in his book “The Celebration of Discipline” (1978 HarperSanFrancisco) which, as memory serves, was coopted from the apostle Paul who plead with the Galatians against legalism:

Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you. (Galatians 4:16-20)

Foster writes from his Quaker upbringing, and from a pastoral perspective, as he encourages believers to embrace a simple, and disciplined lifestyle in celebration of being formed into Jesus. The same message as we read over and over in the New Testament epistles. Other well-known writers have since picked up the “Spiritual Formation” batton, and are continuing the race by adding in their own perspectives. I first read Foster’s book in the mid 90’s and I found it to be very helpful encouragement.

I hear testimonies from scoffers, contenders who eschew any Christian “discipline” as “faddish”, “legalistic”, or as “seeking an ecstatic experience”, or something else. While some surely may erroneously engage in various activities for those kinds of reasons, I did not find any of that kind of encouragement in Mr. Fosters book.

To me, Spiritual Formation is synonymous with what modern Christians call sanctification, meaning, the process of growing into Christlikeness. Spiritual formation is a common path on which all believers, who are “born from above” travel, although the scenery along the path may vary from saint to saint. Celebrating a disciplined, and simple lifestyle which encourages maturity and fosters selfless compassion is a universal admonishment for The Church of Christ.

Being Formed with you
KP

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Spiritual Formation, Sanctification, Spiritual Maturity, are all the same.

Spiritual Evolution !!

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Thanks for the encouragement Jenny. I need for this to be more of a part of my walk. There was a time i had like four different notebooks going with different aspects to my walk. Reflections. But some problematic theological anomalies arose and kind of threw me for a loop. Its been a while for me to get back to a place like that though. And in my spirit, it cries for stand-alone times with Christ other than reading His word and taking prayer walks which I do.

I notice that if i am not offering a heart toward Christ to best shape me, i am cheating myself out of prime sanctification that would yield the treasures of wisdom I otherwise fined absent…lol. Go figure.

Any good thing will be exploited. On this front, I am not thrown. But there has been a formation in my own heart to tend to disenfranchise myself from what looks to be religious rather than truly spiritual. Being a child of the 60’s i have a natural bent to overthrow. Which does not help my disposition. But what i have seen in my own life is this: “When i fear legalism or manipulation, remember, God transcends them both. Do not throw away pearls because an oyster wraps me through a Charlie horse growing pain course…that ultimately has the perfume of His majesty all about it.” Easy to say…

Blessings.