Spiritual formation. I hope and pray that by now you are beginning to sense the magnitude of what we are talking about. It’s all about your spiritual growth. The transforming of your inner being into Christlikeness. May I just say right here, “This, my friend, is huge.”
We simply do not have the luxury of crossing our fingers, sitting idly by, and hoping it will just magically happen. No. Rest assured; spiritual transformation will not happen by osmosis. A plan is required.
A couple of weeks ago, we noted that a plan develops from vision, intention, and method. Our vision of a transformed life leads to our resolve to live a transformed life. Then with our vision and intention firmly set, a method is devised. Thus, we have something in place for following through on our vision and intention.
Lord willing, we will spend many, many future weeks exploring the method—scouting out options, sorting through best fits, and putting some into place. For now, though, let’s briefly become acquainted with some of the key elements of an effective plan.
5 Key Elements of a Spiritual Formation Plan
The Bible
For our spiritual transformation, there is no greater aid than the Bible. It is God’s Word to us, preserved for us. Preserved so that we can read it and through reading it, become more and more like the One who is at the center of the story.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
Hebrews 1:1-2
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1
God speaks to us through His Word. Our plan must include time in the Bible so that we are positioned to clearly hear from Him.
Nature
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
When is the last time you went outdoors with no agenda other than to sit with God and drink Him in? In nature, much can be learned about God for it is in nature that God reveals Himself to us in a very special way. His glory is declared by the heavens, and His handiwork proclaimed by the sky. Likewise, God’s attributes are clearly on display in all of nature.
As you seek spiritual transformation in your inner being, be sure your plan includes intentional time spent with God out in the beauty of nature where you will behold His character, His goodness, and His greatness—all on display.
Relationships
When it comes to method, spiritual disciplines are the first thing most people think of. And while spiritual disciplines are extremely important, the work of spiritual transformation does not hinge on them.
One vital element to any spiritual formation plan is relationship—with Christ and with others.
Our plan helps us spend time with God, building an intimate relationship with Him and coming to know Him better.
When we think of spiritual formation, we are prone to thinking of it as being formation by the Holy Spirit. And it is. But we must remember that our transformation does not entirely come by the Holy Spirit. It is essential that we understand that spiritual formation also happens in our lives through the influence of those around us, ourselves, and the activities we engage in.
Therefore, we need to be in community. Our plan must include relationships with those who will pray for us, encourage us, and hold us accountable along the way.
Experiences
Another essential element for any spiritual formation plan is experience. Transformation into Christlikeness happens in our experience. Notice that it doesn’t say “in our good experiences.” We must remember that growth happens in all our experiences—even those filled with suffering and pain. In fact, sometimes the greatest growth happens in this very place.
Spiritual Disciplines
Lastly, a key element of any spiritual formation plan is spiritual disciplines, or spiritual practices as some call them. These are the things that position us to spend time with Our Father and interact with our Teacher—Bible reading, prayer, worship, thanksgiving, simplicity, solitude, silence, service, and many more. These are the vehicles or the tools to carry out your plan.
As with each of the other elements, spiritual disciplines are a vital part of any effective spiritual formation plan. However, we must remember that the work of transformation cannot take place solely by spiritual disciplines. Transformation requires all of the elements working together.
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