Spiritual formation

1
Spiritual formation

• Silence, Solitude, Prayer

2
Contemplation

• Jesus spent much time in prayer and solitude.
• The contemplative tradition is a response to
  Gods longing that we spend time with him, that
  we create space in our lives to be with him. Our
  lives are busy and full of worries and anxiety,
  and our usual response is to push God out of the
  way entirely. James Bryant Smith, A Spiritual
  Formation Workbook, p. 34.

3
How do we make time and space for God?

• Set aside five to ten minutes each day for
  prayer.
• Spend five to ten minutes each day in silence.
• Read selections from a devotional book.
• Write an original prayer.
• Pray the same prayer for ten minutes.

4
The Word

• Memorize a verse of Scripture
• Read one of the shorter books of the Bible out
  loud.
• Meditate on a verse or brief passage about Jesus
  Christ
• Imagine yourself as one of Jesus brothers.
• Look for an opportunity to tell someone about
  your faith.
• Proclaim the gospel by your actions.

5
Personal Holiness

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to purify you heart and
  mind then listen.
• Respond to temptation with the Word of God.
• Try a twenty four hour partial fast.
• Practice the two disciplines of taming the
  tongue go a day without saying anything
  negative and go a day without saying anything
  that is dishonest.

6
Empowered by the Holy Spirit

• Yield to the work of the Spirit.
• Nurture the fruit of the Spirit.
• Discover your spiritual gifts.
• Read the Scriptures with the holy Spirit.
• Listen to the Holy Spirit when making decisions.

7
Outward ministry

• Write a kind, encouraging letter.
• Volunteer to help at a local food bank.
• Guard the reputation of another person.
• Look for an injustice and address it.
• Take a stand.

8
Coordinator relationship

• Your coordinator and BSM staff desires to be your
  mentor.
• Make appointments with BSM staff and your local
  pastor.
• How would you describe your personal spiritual
  formation?
• Are you a balanced Christian?