Session 5 Spiritual Formation Part I

Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy : 

Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy Spiritual Formation Part I Session 5

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What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’?

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? Biblical texts can be helpful in providing prototypical distinctions to help differentiate between the natural and the spiritual and the secular and the sacred, facilitating a better description and appreciation for spiritual phenomenon.

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? Spiritual experiences are gifts from God, often imparted through connections to others (Romans 1:11; I Timothy 4:14) There is a difference between natural things and spiritual things and it is easy to confuse the two (I Corinthians 2:14). There is a difference between natural thoughts and spiritual thoughts, natural words and spiritual words (I Corinthians 2:13). Before one can apprehend the spiritual, one must understand the natural (I Corinthians 15:46). To differentiate between the natural and spiritual, discernment and wisdom are needed (I Corinthians 2:13, 15; Hebrews 5:14).

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? Understanding of spiritual matters comes from the Spirit of God, not from human wisdom (I Corinthians 2:13). Spirituality involves the acquisition of insight through an internalization process that results in spiritual developmental maturity (I Corinthians 10:3-4; Hebrews 5:14). Humans, created in God’s image, are spiritual beings endowed with spiritual capacities to reflect the nature of God (John 4:24). Spiritual activities are sacrificial in nature (I Peter 2:5). Spiritual people are involved in restorative relationships (Galatians 6:1).

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? Spiritual Experiences

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? Anything beyond the realm of physical explanation Times of difficult decision-making Certain places, situations and feelings Awe Inspiring Events Unexpected Events Stimulating, exciting, and euphoric-producing Times of recognition / Personal Achievement Experiences of emotional closeness Moments of sudden realization and insight

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Teihard deChardin

What is ‘Spiritual’? : 

What is ‘Spiritual’? “…invisible phenomenon associated with thoughts and feelings of enlightenment, vision, harmony with truth, transcendence, and oneness with God” Richards & Bergin Willard: The process of transformation   Spiritual Formation deals with how one grows in God

Spiritual Formation : 

Spiritual Formation What is SPIRIT? “The center of our being” “The place from were we see the world and interpret reality” What is FORMATION? The result of experiences, choices Who/What we have become at the depths of our being “Spiritual formation, without regard to any specific religious context or tradition, is the process by which the human spirit or will is given a definite ‘form’ or character” (p. 19)

Human Formation vs. Christian Formation : 

Human Formation vs. Christian Formation Formed / Change Human achievement Reliance on spirit Transformed Renovation of Heart Reliance on Spirit An invasion of human reality by supernatural life An internal process

Views of Human Nature : 

Views of Human Nature

The Model: Six Dimensions : 

The Model: Six Dimensions

The Method: Spiritual Disciplines : 

The Method: Spiritual Disciplines Inward Disciplines Meditation Prayer Fasting Study Verbal Non-verbal Outward Disciplines Simplicity Solitude Submission Service

The Method: Spiritual Disciplines : 

The Method: Spiritual Disciplines Inward Disciplines Outward Disciplines Corporate Disciplines Confession Worship Guidance Celebration

Transformation : 

Transformation Seeing the Self In a state of ruin In a state of denial Self-focused Lost

Transformation : 

Transformation Seeing the Self In a state of ruin In a state of denial Self-focused Lost Yielding to Grace Losing is Finding Self-denial Taking up the Cross

Transformation : 

Transformation Seeing the Self In a state of ruin In a state of denial Self-focused Lost Yielding to Grace Losing is Finding Self-denial Taking up the Cross

Transformation : 

Transformation Components of the Spiritual Change Process Key Beliefs Transformation is possible The process takes time We are all in recovery Be active, not passive

Transformation : 

Transformation Components of the Spiritual Change Process Principles Vision Intention Means