1)The definition of Christian Spiritual Formation that John Ortberg gives us is simple but powerful. He defines it as " the process by which your inner self and character are shaped." "This is where the human spirit or will is given a definite character. It is where you take shape." I personally like this definition I found on (CRN)."Spiritual formation is a process, but it is also a journey through which we open our hearts to a deeper connection with God. We are not bystanders in our spiritual lives, we are active participants with God, who is ever inviting us into relationship with him." In this definition it is emphasized that we are not merely hanging around waiting for God to do something in our lives, but we are joining with God in changing
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I suppose we get into habits of using "Christianese" words such as becoming a Christian, growing with Christ,and having a relationship with him instead of formal ones. Christian Spiritual Formation is the politically correct way of stating those "Christianese" words in a formal fashion. In the paper Spiritual Formation by Brian C.Hull he states that spiritual formation is a "Spirit-driven process that differentiates from a self-driven process or a purely environmental impact." This statement really helped me because I always wonder how my friends that aren't Christians still succeed and so many things and work so hard for success. Now I understand that it's the difference of self-motivation and spirit motivation. In my life I have discovered that living life self-motivated doesn't …show more content…
He states that "the word "discipline" often carries a negative connotation". I fully agree with this statement. I believe how each of us was raised at home and at school has a huge impact on our view of discipline. Growing up the word discipline was my arch-nemisis. Until my 20's I was constantly getting disciplined for something or other.With a life long history of severe ADD it has been very hard to be disciplined in any form or fashion.The word reminds me of all of my personal failures.Already after reading a few chapters and articles about the true meaning of spiritual discipline I feel that my view is going to be changed for the better by the end of this semester. Fasting,submission,meditation,solitude,prayer,worship,celebration,confession,guidance,service,and simplicity are the spiritual disciplines we are covering in this class. The two disciplines I am not familiar with are guidance and simplicity. After reading some of Ortberg's book I think the disciplines of guidance and simplicity will be taught in the book. Personally the act of worship always brings me encouragement. When stress arises in my life I always go to my Christian worship music to bring peace. Service has been a good discipline for me because it keeps me outward focused which keeps me from being self-centered. 1
I suppose we get into habits of using "Christianese" words such as becoming a Christian, growing with Christ,and having a relationship with him instead of formal ones. Christian Spiritual Formation is the politically correct way of stating those "Christianese" words in a formal fashion. In the paper Spiritual Formation by Brian C.Hull he states that spiritual formation is a "Spirit-driven process that differentiates from a self-driven process or a purely environmental impact." This statement really helped me because I always wonder how my friends that aren't Christians still succeed and so many things and work so hard for success. Now I understand that it's the difference of self-motivation and spirit motivation. In my life I have discovered that living life self-motivated doesn't …show more content…
He states that "the word "discipline" often carries a negative connotation". I fully agree with this statement. I believe how each of us was raised at home and at school has a huge impact on our view of discipline. Growing up the word discipline was my arch-nemisis. Until my 20's I was constantly getting disciplined for something or other.With a life long history of severe ADD it has been very hard to be disciplined in any form or fashion.The word reminds me of all of my personal failures.Already after reading a few chapters and articles about the true meaning of spiritual discipline I feel that my view is going to be changed for the better by the end of this semester. Fasting,submission,meditation,solitude,prayer,worship,celebration,confession,guidance,service,and simplicity are the spiritual disciplines we are covering in this class. The two disciplines I am not familiar with are guidance and simplicity. After reading some of Ortberg's book I think the disciplines of guidance and simplicity will be taught in the book. Personally the act of worship always brings me encouragement. When stress arises in my life I always go to my Christian worship music to bring peace. Service has been a good discipline for me because it keeps me outward focused which keeps me from being self-centered. 1