$ Defining Spiritual Formation: An Introduction (BeADisciple.com)

Spiritual formation isn’t new; it’s only been lost for a while. (Dallas Willard, Leadership Journal, Summer 2005)

What is this arena of ministry which folks are calling “Spiritual Formation”?
How does it compare and contrast with the popular notion of “Christian discipleship”?

Defining spiritual formation is a two-week introduction to the field of spiritual formation–designed to help individuals and small groups to better understand the ancient yet contemporary process of how we come to mature in the Christian life.

Over the span of the two-week course, students can expect four sessions, each incorporating…
• A video presentation
• Supplemental readings
• Opportunities to engage a Discussion Board (with an aim and hope of bridging head and heart)

Four distinct approaches will inform each of the four sessions — and our ultimate definition of spiritual formation:
1) Isolating the obvious and positive elements of what spiritual formation is.
2) Clarifying what Spiritual Formation is not – that is, distinguishing spiritual formation (from kindred concepts with which it can be too easily confused)
3) describing a few of the crucial tensions or paradoxes which SF maintains and navigates, and
4) conveying some sense of the means and ends of spiritual formation in real life and practice

The following video has been prepared to introduce you to course facilitator, Rev. Jim Reiter, and to give individuals a more personal orientation to the broad strokes of this course and desired outcomes:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJf7OsR2wWc&t=198s