Foundations of Spiritual Formation

Edited by

Paul Pettit

© 2008 by Paul Pettit. Database © 2016 WORDsearch.

To Dr. Howard and Jeanne Hendricks

May their tribe increase

Contents

Foundations of Spiritual Formation

Foreword

Honest Accountability

Strong Support

Godly Desires

The Incredible Value of Participation in Small Groups

Contributors

Introduction

The Change Process: Physical and Spiritual

Spiritual Formation Communities

Purpose of This Book

Formation as Change

The Terms Spiritual and Formation

Individual and Corporate Aspects of Growth

A Sports Metaphor

Growth Comes from God

God’s Work, Man’s Cooperation

Spiritual Formation and Marriage

Toward a Definition

Introducing the Contributors

Chapter Previews

Abbreviations

Part 1. Laying the Foundations of Spiritual Formation

Chapter 1. Introducing Spiritual Formation

Chapter 2. Worship and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 3. Old Testament Community and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 4. New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation

Part 2. Practicing the Elements of Spiritual Formation

Chapter 5. The Soul and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 6. Character and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 7. Love and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 8. Leadership and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 9. Calling and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 10. Life Story and Spiritual Formation

Chapter 11. Preaching and Spiritual Formation

Conclusion

Foreword

Howard Hendricks

It’s not an accident that when Jesus Christ practiced discipleship he took a group of twelve men, forsook the large crowds, and took so much time to build into the lives of those men. Ultimately, he is the model for ministry. He is the one who set the pattern, and that is why my passion for students participating in character formation groups is so strong. Every student headed toward vocational Christian service needs a small group experience. Below, I’ve described characteristics of the special kinds of group interaction students need. The contributors to this volume provide insights for making these characteristics a reality.

Honest Accountability

First, students need a group with accountability in order to develop their credibility. In Hebrews 13:7 we read: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” And later, verse 17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” It is my thoughtful conclusion that any man or woman in college or graduate school without an accountability group is an accident waiting to happen. It is just a matter of time. Character failure is seldom a blowout; it is usually the result of a long, slow leak. We all need someone who loves us but is not impressed with us, someone who will ask us the hard questions.

You need a group who loves you, but loves you so much that they will not allow you to remain the way you are. ...