New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation
Hello Leaders,
Welcome back to our training platform. I pray we are all edified as we explore diverse training to the end that we “Become vessels fit for the Kingdom.” Below is this weeks question and a reminder of our instructions.
In our handout, Darrell Block points out 4 key components to spiritual formation:
1. An agent–the Holy Spirit
2. A dynamic–growth in the context of community identification
3. A goal–holiness in the context of mission
4. An open and responsive heart that pursues formation as a key purpose in life.
He goes on to define what spiritual formation in connection with discipleship. How does the definition Block presents differ from what you thought spiritual formation was? and which of the his four key components stands out to you the most?
Reminder of Instructions
From November through December we will be going through the handout New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation, by Darrell L. Block. we will utilize a blog on the church’s website. The blog can be found under the Devotional tab at the top of the home page. The blog requires a password, the password is “wetrain”.
On Mondays I will post a discussion starter on the blog in relation to the packet that I will provide. You will have until Sunday to post an initial comment on the blog post. I am encouraging you to be thoughtful, open, and honest about what your thoughts concerning the week’s material, and interact with each other regarding the material. For example, on November 11th I will post a blog opening up discussion on the material you received. Then, by Sunday, 11/15, you should comment, at least once, on the post with your thoughts regarding the material. Additionally, please feel free to respond to someone else’s comment.
If you have any questions regarding how to use the blog please reach out to MIT Allie by phone at (757)871-0850 or by email at wbfmanage@gmail.com. She will be able to answer any questions you have about the technology side of the training.
I am excited about how God will use this training to sharpen each of us.
Blessing and love,
Pastor Matisha
I believed Spiritual Formation was some sort of gathering of spiritual like-minded persons in pursuit of Holiness as it relates to God guiding and directing them to a state of holiness within a community of believers. My definition was somewhat different from the writer’s definition in that he puts major emphasis on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its role in transforming one internally to reflect externally a changed life in a process that never ends until we are with our Father in heaven.
For me the one component that stands out the most is “an open and responsive heart that pursues formation as a key purpose in life”. I believe being receptive to the things of God makes us intentional not only in our spiritual walk but in our practical life style. It impacts us in our daily activities because we are receptive to hearing from God, obeying God and transforming to reflect Christ like traits.
Hello Min. Bobbitt,
Thank you for your response. I really appreciated his emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s primary role in forming/shaping us into the image of Jesus Christ as well. We all can testify that we cannot change ourselves and knowing and relying on the Holy Spiritual and His work in our heart and lives is what transforms us, not our will or desires to be/do right. What a freeing truth. What an opportunity to lean all of our weight on His awesome power to complete the good work he began in us from before the foundations of the earth.
I agree, receptivity is the key to all good things both godly and natural. If we are not willing to receive we will be be able to have what God desires for us to have. We also have to be able to look past the packaging sometimes, trusting that by the time “it” is filtered through the will of God it will result in what is best for us. Amen.
Thanks again for you post.
Blessings,
Minister, that was good as well. I think a lack of receptivity is exactly what hinders us from being holy. Once you have stopped being receptive to Gods word or even how he speaks through circumstance or people you miss out on the opportunity to live a life that’s holy and acceptable to God.
Generically, spiritually formation to me was what we experience both externally and internally that forms our spiritual ideas, morals, and doctrine. It came more from things that we experienced from others, including environment, than influential factors that we choose to participate in. This would include being “discipled” by those around us and the following of instruction to improve our spiritual walk.
In some respects, what I believed falls in line with Pettit’s definition of discipleship. We do engage through the instruction of others, and there is a focus on what we undergo and undertake. When reading his description and “broader concept” of spiritual formation, it led me to a deeper understanding of where and what God wants us to be. It encompasses the transformation from unbeliever to new believer to mature believer. It also describes how others can view from the outside how the formation is taking place on the inside.
When reviewing the four key components of spiritual formation, number four stood out to me the most; an open and responsive heart that pursues formation as a key purpose in life. We must be intentional. Intentional to seek out those things that will challenge us, educate us, and help us to mature in the calling that God has given us. It is our responsibility to not just rely on those around us to provide guidance and wisdom. It is a specific goal that we have to discover through the purposeful use of God’s Word, prayer, and fasting. Spiritual formation is an ongoing learning process to bring us to places in maturation that we can better understand his divine purpose.
I believe spiritual Formation to me was what we experience both externally and internally that forms our spiritual ideas morals and doctrine It came more from thing that we experienced from other including environment than influential factors that we choose to participate In This would include being discipled by those around us and the following of insstruction to improve our spiritual walk
He goes on to define what spiritual formation in connection with discipleship. How does the definition Block presents differ from what you thought spiritual formation was? and which of the his four key components stands out to you the most? My first thought when reading the word spiritual formation was Praise and Worship. When singing and praising God in unison and inviting the Holy Spirit in to the mist. Being collectively in tuned in the spirit.
What stood out to me was, the need for cleansing and forgiveness daily. To remove impurities so that God can begin anew in me. Once the vessel is wash and clean, God’s Spirit can enter in to do the His require work.
I admit that I thought of spiritual formation as something that happened largely internally and individually. It likely involved both internal and external influences, but the results would be manifested as the personal growth and development from less mature spiritually towards more mature spiritually.
Reading and studying about it now, I perceive it to be larger in scope than my near-sighted viewpoint. My opinion now is that this transformation is ongoing for the community just as much as it is for each member of the whole. Additionally, I think it benefits both the individual and the group the most when everyone is a willing and intentional participant in the disciplines practiced and also in recognizing that the Spirit is moving and working in all things.
Concerning the key component that stood out to me, I struggled to choose just one, as each both convicted and encouraged me. I would have to say that I was challenged most by component (3), a goal – holiness in the context of mission.
Spirit formation is the process that God takes us in for fellowship with Him and mission in our community in. area’s that the Holy Spirit lead us to the places where we can definitely make a difference in poorly proverty areas.Spirtual Formation starts with the leading of the Holy Spirit to fellowship with Jesus at any cost and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit until God brings us into maturity in Himself.As Rom.12.1-2 says be transformed by the renewing.of your mind, conforming to God image.A process of being conform for the sake of others and the community because we are accountable to our community and others Only the Holy Spirit can bring about spiritual formation.Spirtual discipline are the tools of spiritual formation.Becoming Christlike is a progressive experience in spiritual formation it only end’s when God brings us to Himself. His ultimate goal for us is to make us more like Christ. After reading spiritual formation the key component that stood out to me most was the fourth one about an. open and responsive heart that pursue spiritual formation as key purpose in our life
I thought that Spiritual Formation was God shaping me into the likeness of Him, taking whats in me to give Him Glory. But when I read the lesson both Spiritual Formation and discipleship goes hand and hand. As we have the personal initimate with God’s Honor and gives God Glory but also edify the body. As Block stated “it’s meanings include one who engages in instruction through another.” God is bring us into maturity of the things, teaching and knowledge of Him. The only way this happens is when totally Submit to God and be Transformed.
What Stand out to me (1) an agent-the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV
I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.”
Spiritual Discernment. I am a person that relays heavily on the Leading of the Holy Spirit. I think of myself unworthy to be around others, However God has taken me through a Season of Maturity. So allow God’s guidance is my main Focus of Staying In His Will.
I don’t believe Ive ever put that much thought into the definition of spiritual formation. Practically I defined it as developing spiritually or maturing. Nevertheless, Block provides us with key components that have broaden my thought process of spiritual formation. When I thought about his four components I recognize that these are in fact exactly what is needed in order to grow spiritually. We are unable accomplish anything without them. They all impact each other and one to me does not fully “form” without the other.
Out of the four components I was drawn to Holiness because it immediately made me thing of 1 Timothy 4:12; “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” I in particular enjoyed the aspect of holiness being “prophetic….setting forth to a needy world an explanation and illustration of God’s way”. This helped me to reflect more on the belief that we don’t go through trials for ourselves but for those who we come in contact with later in life and how sin effects those around us. If I’m an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity then it doesn’t delay what God has created me to do or live out in the lives of other people. Holiness is exactly what’s needed during this era in order for the world to witness the true authenticity of who we are as believers in Christ and who God is.
I don’t believe Ive ever put that much thought into the definition of spiritual formation. Practically I defined it as developing spiritually or maturing. Nevertheless, Block provides us with key components that have broaden my thought process of spiritual formation. When I thought about his four components I recognize that these are in fact exactly what is needed in order to grow spiritually. We are unable accomplish anything without them. They all impact each other and one to me does not fully “form” without the other.
Out of the four components I was drawn to Holiness because it immediately made me thing of 1 Timothy 4:12; “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” I in particular enjoyed the aspect of holiness being “prophetic….setting forth to a needy world an explanation and illustration of God’s way”. This helped me to reflect more on the belief that we don’t go through trials for ourselves but for those who we come in contact with later in life and how sin effects those around us. If I’m an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity then it doesn’t delay what God has created me to do or live out in the lives of other people. Holiness is exactly what’s needed during this era in order for the world to witness the true authenticity of who we are as believers in Christ and who God is.
I have never really sought to come up with a definition for spiritual formation. I only really knew it as the class my mom (Pastor Tisha) taught at Bethel College. In this case, Bock’s definition of spiritual formation only really influences my definition. I would have defined it as the process through which we define ourselves spiritually, almost as the spiritual form of personality forming. I enjoy his definition because it involves what we do to mature ourselves spiritually and puts some onus on the believer to do the work required to grow spiritually. It is also encouraging that there is work God is doing and we are not trying to grow ourselves by ourselves.
The component that stuck out the most to me was number 4, “An open and responsive heart that pursues formation as a key purpose in life.” This point makes us responsible for the amount growing we do. Without an open heart we are closed off to hearing the Holy Spirit and to His workings in and around us. With a responsive heart we will do as God says and change as God guides. Bock also uses the verb “pursue.” This indicates that the heart is seeking after God, consciously looking for God in all areas and listening for God. It’s important in spiritual formation to be seeking after God and to take an ACTIVE role in our maturation process.
I had initially thought that spiritual formation was how God uses the Holy Spirit to form us into who we are supposed to be in Christ. His definition differs from mine in the sense that it involves multiple aspects that work together to achieve the continuous goal of spiritual formation.
Also the aspect that stuck out to me was, A dynamic- growth in the context of community identification. I’m one to take on anything by myself, but there is something to be said about the perspectives of your community when it comes to the formation of our faith. This is an aspect that personally something that God has been working on with me.
How does the definition Block presents differ from what you thought spiritual formation was? and which of the his four key components stands out to you the most?
My understanding of spiritual formation was limited? I did not relate it to was discipleship; however, I though it was along the lines of forming spiritual habits that would bring us closer to God. I now understand that spiritual formation takes in all that God does to bring us to spiritual maturity. You can’t put it in a four step guide to accomplish it. Spiritual formation takes place through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit as we go through the “natural flow of life”.
Out of all the components of spiritual formation what stuck out to me the most was – The Agent- Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the key to spiritual formation. He is the one that knows that mind of Go, He is the one that leads us and guides us into all truths, and He is the one that gives us the power to be transformed into the image of God.
Without the Holy Spirit, we would rely on our own self will. Our approach to worship and servicing God would be legalistic and our eyes would be on pleasing man. We would only have the strength to confirm but authentic transformation would never take place. We would be like the Bible says, “Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof.” 2Tim 3:5 But thank God that He sent the Paraclete to be with us and to live in us.