Spiritual Foundations
Overview
This month will focus on defining spiritual formation, describing the purpose and function of spiritual practices, and exploring how God shapes our hearts.
Weekly Guides
Week 1
PRE-MEETING PREPARATION
- Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group.
- Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material
MAIN IDEA: Defining spiritual formation
- Every person is being formed into one kind of person or another.
- Spiritual formation is our ongoing process of becoming like Jesus.
- Spiritual formation doesn’t happen automatically; it takes place through intentional practice.
AGENDA
Connection Time - 20 minutes
Group Application - 40 minutes
WATCH the video together.
REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.
ASK: Based on your current schedule and habits: what are some of the things that are probably “forming” you the most?
For new groups:
- Make time for anyone who hasn’t had the chance yet to share more of their faith journey.
- ASK: What are you currently doing, if anything, to intentionally allow God to shape and direct your life?
For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:
- ASK: Looking back on your life, what are some of the things that have historically “formed” you when you were not prioritizing being formed by Jesus?
- ASK: Can you identify times when you have sought change more through information than through practice? How would you describe the difference?
Sermon Review - 20 minutes
Prioritize the Foundations content, but if you have time, you can also use this week’s sermon discussion guide (found on the Groups webpage).
Pray - 10 minutes
Week 2
PRE-MEETING PREPARATION
- Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group.
- Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material.
MAIN IDEA: Becoming like Jesus through spiritual practices
- Many people in church want to become like Jesus, but often don’t know how.
- Spiritual practices are a practical way to orient our lives around Jesus.
- Spiritual practices are not something we do for God, but a way we allow God to do something in us.
AGENDA
Connection Time - 20 minutes
Group Application - 40 minutes
WATCH the video together.
REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.
For new groups:
- READ the following list of spiritual practices our church highlights collectively:
- Fasting is when we temporarily cut out something we need or depend on (such as food) so that we can discover a deeper dependence on God.
- Community is when we intentionally invite other believers into our needs, celebrations, processing, and decisions so that we can remain humble and balanced.
- Bible Study is when we meditate, memorize, and learn from Scripture so that God’s ideas and perspectives become our own.
- Serving is when we attend to the needs and opportunities of other people, so that we can experience the humility and compassion of Jesus.
- Sabbath is when we take a full day out of each week to rest, so that we can lay down the idol of busyness, learn to trust God, and practice contentment.
- Evangelism is when we intentionally share what God has done in our lives, so that we can remember his grace and experience his power.
- Prayer is when we make space to listen for God and speak to God, so that we can hear his guidance and connect our hearts with his.
- Silence & Solitude is when we make time to be alone and quiet, so that we can become more aware of God’s presence and experience his peace.
- Generosity is when we give some of what we have to others, so that we can live free of the lures of greed and the lies of scarcity.
- ASK: What might make spiritual practices difficult in this season of life? What motivates you to engage with them more deeply?
For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:
- ASK: How have your spiritual practices changed since joining this group? Which ones that were new to you have you implemented, and how have any pre-existing ones changed?
Sermon Review - 20 minutes
Prioritize the Foundations content, but if you have time, you can also use this week’s sermon discussion guide (found on the Groups webpage).
Pray - 10 minutes
Week 3
PRE-MEETING PREPARATION
- Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group.
- Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material.
- Remember that next week, you won’t have any content to engage in. Once a month, we want to encourage your group to just do something to connect and have fun, whether that is an outing somewhere or something as simple as having a relaxed hangout with some snacks. You should either make a plan ahead of time to communicate to your group, or plan to discuss together what you’d like to do next week.
MAIN IDEA: Experiencing Change
- Being transformed by Jesus is a complex process that is physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual—all at the same time.
- We tend to prioritize individualism, but change happens best through community.
- We cannot change ourselves; Jesus changes us as we practice being with him.
AGENDA
Connection Time - 20 minutes
Group Application - 40 minutes
WATCH the video together.
REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.
For new groups:
- ASK: Do you trend toward being passive in the process of transformation (hoping things will change eventually) or being controlling (trying to make things change on your own)?
- ASK: What makes it hard for you to let Jesus be in charge of your transformation right now?
For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:
- ASK: How has this group helped you balance your approach to becoming like Jesus?
- ASK: Considering gracious acceptance, truthful accountability, and patient diligence: do you see any ways that this group may be imbalanced?
Sermon Review - 20 minutes
Prioritize the Foundations content, but if you have time, you can also use this week’s sermon discussion guide (found on the Groups webpage).
Pray - 10 minutes
Week 4
PRE-MEETING PREPARATION
- This week is all about building community and relationships. If your group missed a week, you can also use this week to make up for previous content.
- If you are still meeting in your regular location and don't know how to fill the entire time, feel free to follow the suggested agenda below.
AGENDA
Connection Time - 20 Minutes
Sermon Review - 20 Minutes
(Guides are updated weekly on the Groups page.)
Group Time - 40 Minutes
If anyone still hasn't had a chance to share their faith journey, make time to do so.
REVIEW the previous few weeks.
- What has stood out the most?
- How have you been encouraged?
- How have you been challenged?
Pray - 10 Minutes
RESOURCES
Throughout this month, we have referenced a few different Bible verses and books. All of them are listed here if you or your group members are interested!
WEEK 5
Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation. Mulholland, M. Robert.
Practicing the Way. Comer, John Mark.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
A couple of articles on our addiction to information:
- "Constant Craving: how digital media turned us all into dopamine addicts." (theguardian.com)
- "Information addiction: How information is like snacks, money, and drugs to your brain." (neurosciencenews.com)
WEEK 6
Philippians 2:12 "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear."
Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered. Wilhoit, James C.
John 15:5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
The Great Omission. Willard, Dallas.
WEEK 7
A couple of articles on the idea of hyper-individualism:
- "The Problem of Hyper-Individualism." (cityjournal.org)
- "Why Is Expressive Individualism a Challenge for the Church?" (thegospelcoalition.org)
Celebration of Discipline. Foster, Richard.
Sacred Rhythms. Barton, Ruth Haley.
Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
1 Peter 4:8-9 "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay."
