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Introduction to Spiritual Formation
In the next nine studies we will be taking a look at the causes and motivations that block our spiritual growth. This subject is often called "Christian Formation" or "Spiritual Formation," or the "Ecology of Faith Development."
In the next nine studies we will be taking a look at the causes and motivations that block our spiritual growth. This subject is often called "Christian Formation" or "Spiritual Formation," or the "Ecology of Faith Development."
The key to making this work is for you and the other participants to be open, submissive, listening, and authentic so you can confess your sins in a safe, confidential environment. Remember that Christian maturity and character is "Christ-likeness," becoming more like our Lord by living out His precepts.
Our primary call is not to be perfect "church goers," being good and holy, but to be models of His character and to proclaim His Word.
Perseverance is to continue in our state of grace so we live it out in our lives and walk with Christ to the end for our eternal reward!
It all comes down to a decision. Will we make our faith real and impacting, relinquishing our pride to allow us to learn and grow, and in turn teach others, or will we plant our rears in the pew, so that our only impact is our butt print in that pew!
Accountability is often associated with a place to be helped with some kind of problem or addiction such as drinking, drugs, smoking, pornography, or some other recovery issue. Yes, this is can be a principle venue; however, the emphasis should be our spiritual growth which infuses our thinking and behaviors and helps in overcoming addictions. It is not about just overcoming addictions; it is being overcome with Christ as Lord of our lives.
To do this effectively you need to have a schedule! Why? Just to see all that is on your plate in life, from ministry as well as personal life and...
Maturity is to know that our need is to be in Christ, and not to be to ourselves!
His call, above all else for us as Christians, of what God's will is all about, and of what we are to be doing in our personal lives and in our churches is… Discipleship! Nothing else is more important, period.
The stresses of life and the hassles of family will get us down and test our limits; even the best-run family will have this problem from time to time. So, how can we tell if we're just tired or are experiencing burnout? First, we need to ask ourselves the accountability questions. If we are operating in His precepts, it is probably just exhaustion. However, if we find ourselves being apathetic and detached from our families, we have a problem.