HOW IT WORKS "Spiritual Formation"

For the next two months I want to spend some time talking to you about “Spiritual Formation”. Let’s start by giving a simple definition..

SPIRITUAL FORMATION:

The real-life processes of transformation in order to grow with a growth that is from God.

“16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV)”

Over many years in pastorate ministry I have heard from the people I lead about their longing and desire to grow in their faith. In fact, to date, I have never heard anyone in the churches I have served say “You know I really like the music and your messages are nice and all but I really have no desire to grow spiritually I just like the FREE coffee and donuts”. 

What I hear, more often, than not, is something along these lines.

“Pastor I really want to read my Bible and Pray more. I know it is an important part of growing up spiritually but I can’t seem to make it work in my life. I start and then I stop. I know what I ought to do but I don’t know how to do it regularly in my busy life.”

We can all identify with the struggle. We know we ought to love more, read and study God’s Word more, pray more, serve more, be more than we currently are. In pulpits across America pastors remind us what we ought to do but there is a huge gap between what we know to do and what we actually do.

“In pulpits across America pastors remind us what we ought to do but there is a huge gap between what we know to do and what we actually do”

So many Christians are frustrated with a lack of spiritual growth. They feel they have become professional beginners. They have mastered beginning in faith but have not ventured much further. Overwhelmed with life and weary of an inner battle with sin, they stumble and now another day is gone. The sun rose and set. We are a day older but spiritually no wiser. We are one step closer to moral relativism. Truth as defined by our desires not His Words. 

In this series of blog posts, we will do more than point out what you ought to do. We will look at real examples of men and women who found a way to partner with God for the growth and development that transformed their life.

We want to deepen theologically and experientially. It is not enough to intellectually defend our faith we must know our God as Paul stated:

“to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:19)

If you are frustrated with little to no spiritual growth day by day, week by week…you get the picture, these series of posts are for you. It’s time to stop beating yourself up. It’s time to GROW UP GOD’S WAY! What awaits you is more than you could ever possibly imagine.

Next week: Intentional growth planning

To learn more about the Grace Place Church contact us at: info@gp.church