Thoughts on Spiritual Formation Pt. 1

English: the first of the Epistles to the Colossians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There’s lots of talk about spiritual formation these days. Churches are designing entire programs and classes to help people grow in their faith. Many churches have “next steps” for congregants to take after Sunday morning sermons. Others make sure to connect people into small groups as soon as possible ensuring people are being cared for while diving into deeper and more meaningful relationships. How then does one grow in their faith? There are many answers to “how we grow.”

But before we get to the “how” of spiritual formation I want to begin with the “what.” What does it look like as we become mature in faith? What should spiritual formation and maturation consist of?

Let’s take a moment to reflect on Paul’s prayer for the church in Colossae. I think we can learn something from how Paul views spiritual formation particularly in the way that he prays for the Colossians. This is important before we answer all of the how-to questions.

Colossians 1:9b-11 NIV

9b…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

Check out verse 9b. Paul prays that the Colossians would know God’s will through understanding from the Spirit. Paul understands that knowing God’s will sets the stage for doing God’s will. David prayed something similar in Psalm 143:10. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” Paul desired that the Colossians understand how God’s will translated to the everyday challenges of life.

In verse 10 Paul further reveals the reasoning for “knowing” God. He is sure that when the Colossians know God, their living will please God. Right understanding leads to right living or more specifically, right understanding leads to holy living.

Finally at the end of verse 10 we see Paul mention growing in the knowledge of God. Did you notice how Paul returns to the idea of knowledge? As we come to know God more our holiness and good works should increase. As we serve God more we come to a greater knowledge of our mission as the Church. Commentator and theologian, N.T. Wright says, “Understanding will fuel holiness; holiness will deepen understanding.”

Here’s the point I think Paul is trying to make. Spiritual formation and growth is holistic. It is not one sided. It is not just accruing more facts and Bible knowledge nor is it just serving the poor and living a holy life. It’s ALL of these! Paul writes that the more we know him the more we obey. The more we obey, the greater works we do, bearing fruit and bringing glory to our Heavenly Father.

If your growing knowledge of Christ is not causing you to move and act for him than you only have one half of the equation. If your acts of mercy and kindness are not rooted in the gospel, than they are nothing but dead works. Paul longs for the Christians in Colossae to grow in ALL areas and he is confident that it is possible through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that we (the people of God) would grow in knowledge, holiness, and good works. I hope you will join me in that prayer!

Grateful Awareness

Psalm 1, Verse 1 and 2 in Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever looked back on certain situations in your life and asked, “What would have happened if God hadn’t come through?” Or, “Where would I be if God hadn’t rescued me?” These types of questions lead to thoughtful reflection and an attitude of gratefulness for God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness.

In Psalm 124 the psalmist spends a few moments responding to this same sort of question. The psalmist’s conclusion: They (Israel) would be in a whole lot of trouble if it had not been for the Lord. The psalmist has a grateful awareness for the presence of God in Israel’s situation. He knows without a doubt that God has been responsible for the aid and rescue of Israel.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side—

                          let Israel now say—

             if it had not been the LORD who was on our side

                        when people rose up against us,

            then they would have swallowed us up alive,

                        when their anger was kindled against us;

Psalm 124:1-3 ESV

I’ve noticed that in trying and difficult times, this same kind of reflection is a healthy practice. Some would call it the spiritual discipline of gratitude. When submerged in a difficult season, it can be nearly impossible to see the goodness and faithfulness of God. Seeing how God has been there in the past builds faith and trust for the future.  It’s a kind of looking back to go forward. Reflecting on and even sharing these stories of God’s faithfulness with others can bring encouragement and strength.

I wonder if this is what the psalmist meant to do here? Here’s my paraphrase of the first 3 verses. “Remember that one time when our backs were against the wall? If God had not come through in such a mighty way, none of us would be here today. Praise God for his faithfulness!” The communities’ response is one of awareness and newfound trust in the faithfulness of God. If God had rescued Israel in the past, surely he would be faithful to his people again.

It’s entirely too easy to forget about God’s faithfulness in our lives. I feel like I need constant reminders. Perhaps its time to look back and ask the question, “Where would we be if it were not for God?” This weekend take a moment and reflect on where God has brought you. Journal or share your story with a family member as you share a meal. Take a moment to look back and see God’s faithfulness in your life. This may be the encouragement you need to keep moving forward.

Understood

The Gutenberg Bible displayed by the United States Library of Congress, demonstrating printed pages as a storage medium. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After speaking at a local rescue mission earlier this week, I was encouraged by a compliment from a volunteer in attendance. She didn’t say that she was impressed with my use of theological terms. She didn’t say anything about me knowing a few of the Greek words. She didn’t even mention that my oratory skills were excellent. I was simply told that I made it easy to understand the Bible. I walked away thinking about how important it is that ministers help others clearly understand God’s Word.

As a seminary student who is learning how to exegete the Biblical text (I just used big words…whoops) or in other words dig deep into what the original authors really meant, it can be tempting to get lost in theological jargon that means little to nothing to most people. It can be tempting to prove how much I know by referring to the Greek language and its grammatical implications. It can also be tempting to ramble on about something that no one really cares about except me.

As a student of God’s Word I’ll be the first one to say that ministers have a responsibility to be faithful to the text. (I could go on about this one but that’s for another blog entry) Equally needed and important is a message that can be understood! It’s the job of the preacher or teacher to make difficult things understandable. When Ezra in the book of Nehemiah stood on the platform to read from the Book of Law (Nehemiah 8) it came at a critical moment. The nation of Israel had struggled to maintain their identity as the people of God as they faced internal and external pressure. Hearing from the Book of Law would reroute their spiritual and ethical lives. But before the Word of God could transform their lives, it needed to be understood. Enter Ezra and the Levites.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Nehemiah 8:7-8

The theme of understanding is a prevalent one in this chapter as the word “understand” appears several times. Verse 12 even tells us that the people went away and celebrated because they could understand God’s Word. Finally a teacher they could understand and a sermon that made sense. I’ve learned that good teaching doesn’t mean speaking over people’s head. My job is to help them understand and “do the word” (See James 1:22).

Theological jargon and the use of the original languages can make a big difference in understanding certain things in the Bible. Again I’m a definite advocate of these things. Unfortunately these things can often become obstacles because the person doing the teaching is more concerned about his own ego rather than helping people live out the commands of God. At the end of the day it is the job of the pastors, Sunday school teachers, children’s ministry workers, small group leaders and more to help people mine the treasure that is God’s Word. So whether you’re a small group leader or a pastor of a mega-church, the next time you teach the Bible, go out of your way to make the Bible understandable. And once the message of the Bible is understandable, you just may see life-change!