Spiritual formation[1]:
an ongoing process of transformation through the holistic work of God in a
believer’s life and character toward the life and character of Jesus Christ –
accomplished by the ministry of the Spirit.
Spiritual formation is a call to
discipleship, a call to follow Jesus radically and so become his true brothers
and sisters-sons and daughters of God.[2]
Discipleship, however, calls for discipline. Whereas discipline without
discipleship leads to rigid formalism, discipleship without discipline ends in
sentimental romanticism. The discipline of prayer is the intentional, concentrated,
and regular effort to create space for God.[3]
A life without a quiet centre easily becomes delusional. When we cling to the
results of our actions as our only way of self-identification, we become
possessive, defensive, and dependent on false identities.[4]
In solitary prayer Jesus comes to understand his identity and mission (Mark
1:32-39).[5]
Theophan the Recluse said, “To pray is to descend with the mind into the heart,
and there to stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all-seeing, within
you.”[6]
The English word prayer comes from the
Latin verb precari, which means “to
entreat or beg.” This definition indicates that we always stand in need before
God, even when petition is not our intent. In prayer we do not speak about God;
we speak with God.[7] Rowlett
believes that “Without a clear conception of what God is like, where God is to
be found, and how God relates to the world, we are likely to be hesitant and
limited in prayer.”[8] Our
relationship with God is multifaceted. At times, it is like a parent-child
relationship. Sometimes it has the character of a master-servant relationship;
at others, it is like the relationship between friends. It may even resemble
the intimacy between lovers.[9]
The ideal reflection of faith: where
belief, action and attitude are fully aligned.
Our journey and growth as disciples: we
need to expand the overlap between belief, attitude and action so that they
align.[10]
Reflection has two central components -
experience and reflective activity on the experience. For reflection to be
successful, the person must be aware of his/her own feelings, because negative views
about self can distort perceptions. The more you can reflect the more
opportunity you have to assess your own worldview and address the barriers you
identify as undermining your learning and growing.[11]
The above comes from the reading materials of the Transformational Discipleship (MCO100) subject at Morling.
22/3/2017:
Having spoken to Keith a week previously
about subject selection for Baptist accreditation, I saw the subject Transformational Discipleship MCO100 on
the handout he gave me. However, this subject is not compulsory for part-time
students, so I ignored it. Then at supper time today, Gayle, the course coordinator
for this subject, suddenly walked right up to the table where I was sitting
and started chatting with us. So I asked her about this subject, and she
mentioned that people applying for Baptist accreditation will need to do this
subject for a minimum of 8 semesters! Sounds like just the right time to enrol
into it, given that I will most likely complete my MDiv by 2019, and accreditation by 2021.
Bibliography:
Dawson, Gerrit Scott. “Prayer and the
Character of God.” In Companions in
Christ. Participant's Book: A Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation,
edited by Willard, Dallas, and Don Simpson, 114-120. Nashville: Upper Room
Books, 2001.
Nouwen, Henri J. M., Michael J.
Christensen, and Rebecca Laird. Spiritual
Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit. London: SPCK, 2011.
Malphurs, Aubrey. A New Kind of Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
Osmer, Richard R. Practical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008.
“Transformational Discipleship Program
Foundation Module 1”, Morling College, 2017.
J. Mallison and Scripture Union Australia,
Mentoring to Develop Disciples and Leaders (Adelaide: Open Book, Scripture
Union, 1998), 8, 59.
[1] Paul Pettit, Foundations of Spiritual Formation : A Community
Approach to Becoming Like Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2008),
19,20.
[2] Henri J. M. Nouwen, Michael J. Christensen, and Rebecca Laird. Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements
of the Spirit (London: SPCK, 2011), 17.
[3] Nouwen, Christensen, and Laird. Spiritual
Formation, 18.
[4] Nouwen, Christensen, and Laird. Spiritual
Formation, 19.
[5] Nouwen, Christensen, and Laird. Spiritual
Formation, 20.
[6] Nouwen, Christensen, and Laird. Spiritual
Formation, 22.
[7] Gerrit Scott Dawson, “Prayer and the Character of God,” in Companions in Christ. Participant's Book: A
Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation, ed. by Willard, Dallas, and
Don Simpson (Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2001), 113.
[8] Dawson, “Prayer and the Character of God,” 114.
[9] Dawson, “Prayer and the Character of God,” 119.
[10] “Transformational Discipleship Program Foundation Module 1”, (Morling
College, 2017), 7.
[11] “Transformational Discipleship Program Foundation Module 1”, 12.
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