Transformative Power of Spiritual Formation in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of Answered Prayers

Witnessing the fulfillment of our prayers, such as the baptism of loved ones, brings immense joy and reinforces our faith. These moments are reminders of God's faithfulness and the transformative power of prayer. When we see our prayers answered, it is a testament to the active presence of God in our lives. It encourages us to continue praying with faith and expectation, knowing that God hears and responds to our petitions.

Reflecting on these moments of answered prayer can strengthen our relationship with God. It reminds us that He is attentive to our needs and desires, and that He is working in our lives in ways we may not always see immediately. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated assurance of God's love and care for us. [22:01]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: Think of a recent prayer that was answered in your life. How did it impact your faith and relationship with God? Can you take a moment to thank Him and share this testimony with someone today?

Day 2: The Miracle of Life and Growth

Reflecting on personal milestones, like a grandchild's first kiss, highlights the miracle of life and the changes we witness over time. These moments remind us of the beauty of growth and the importance of cherishing each stage of life. Life is a series of transformations, each one a testament to God's creative power and love. From the innocence of childhood to the wisdom of old age, every stage has its unique beauty and purpose.

As we witness these changes, we are reminded to appreciate the present and to trust in God's timing. Each moment is a gift, and each stage of life has its own lessons and blessings. By cherishing these moments, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and a deeper awareness of God's presence in our lives. [22:45]

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent milestone in your life or the life of a loved one. How did it reveal God's presence and work in your life? How can you cherish and celebrate this stage of life today?

Day 3: Spiritual Formation is Inevitable

Spiritual formation happens to everyone, whether we are aware of it or not. The Apostle Paul urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, signifying a deep, internal change akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. This transformation is not just about outward behavior but about a profound change in our inner being. It is a process that involves our thoughts, desires, and character being shaped to reflect Christ.

This transformation requires intentionality. We must be aware of the influences shaping us and make conscious decisions to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. By renewing our minds through Scripture, prayer, and community, we can resist the patterns of this world and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. [36:12]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What are some patterns of this world that you find yourself conforming to? How can you intentionally renew your mind and seek transformation in these areas today?

Day 4: The Six Forces of Formation

Our habits, relationships, the stories we believe, our environment, time, and experiences shape who we become. These forces work on us both actively and passively, influencing our spiritual formation. Our habits, whether good or bad, form us. Our relationships influence us, as we tend to become like those we spend time with. The stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs and perspectives. Our environment, including our culture, plays a significant role in our formation. Time and experiences, though passive, have a cumulative effect on us.

Understanding these forces can help us take control of our spiritual formation. By cultivating positive habits, surrounding ourselves with godly relationships, and immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can align our lives with God's will. Reflecting on the stories we believe and the environments we inhabit can help us identify areas that need change. [41:57]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: Conduct a personal formation audit. What habits, relationships, stories, environments, time, and experiences are shaping you? How can you align these forces with God's will for your life?

Day 5: Intentional Transformation

To be transformed rather than conformed to the world, we must intentionally align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. Conducting a formation audit helps us become more self-aware and sets the stage for our growth towards Christ-likeness. This intentionality involves regular self-examination, prayer, and seeking God's guidance in every area of our lives. It means being proactive in our spiritual growth and making conscious decisions to follow Jesus.

By aligning our lives with Jesus' teachings, we can experience true transformation. This process is ongoing and requires commitment, but the result is a life that reflects the love, grace, and truth of Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we become more like Him, and our lives become a testimony of His transformative power. [50:08]

Colossians 3:10 (ESV): "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to align more closely with the teachings of Jesus? What steps can you take today to begin this intentional transformation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather to reflect on the transformative power of spiritual formation. As we celebrate milestones like birthdays and witness the growth of our children, we are reminded of the profound changes that occur both outwardly and inwardly. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, we too are called to undergo deep, internal changes through spiritual formation.

We began by acknowledging the joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing our prayers answered, such as witnessing the baptism of loved ones. This joy is a testament to the transformative power of faith and prayer. Reflecting on personal experiences, like the first kiss from a grandchild, highlights the miracle of life and the changes we witness over time.

The core of our discussion centered on the concept of spiritual formation, which is the process by which our inner selves are shaped and molded. This formation is not optional; it happens to everyone, whether we are aware of it or not. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:2, urges us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, signifying a profound and deep change.

We explored the six primary forces that shape us: habits, relationships, the stories we believe, our environment, time, and experiences. These forces work on us both actively and passively, shaping who we become. Our habits, whether good or bad, form us. Our relationships influence us, as we tend to become like those we spend time with. The stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs and perspectives. Our environment, including our culture, plays a significant role in our formation. Time and experiences, though passive, have a cumulative effect on us.

As we navigate through life, we are either being conformed to the world or transformed to be more like Jesus. This transformation requires intentionality. We must take stock of the forces shaping us and make conscious decisions to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. This week, I encourage you to conduct a formation audit, reflecting on the forces shaping you and seeking God's guidance for transformation.

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Key Takeaways

1. Q&t=1321s'>[22:01]
2. The Miracle of Life and Growth: Reflecting on personal milestones, like a grandchild's first kiss, highlights the miracle of life and the changes we witness over time. These moments remind us of the beauty of growth and the importance of cherishing each stage of life.

3. Spiritual Formation is Inevitable: Spiritual formation happens to everyone, whether we are aware of it or not. The Apostle Paul urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, signifying a deep, internal change akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

4. The Six Forces of Formation: Our habits, relationships, the stories we believe, our environment, time, and experiences shape who we become. These forces work on us both actively and passively, influencing our spiritual formation.

5. Intentional Transformation: To be transformed rather than conformed to the world, we must intentionally align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. Conducting a formation audit helps us become more self-aware and sets the stage for our growth towards Christ-likeness.

### [22:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Opening Prayer
[01:44] - Joy of Answered Prayers
[22:01] - Personal Milestones and Reflections
[22:45] - The Miracle of Life and Growth
[23:26] - Reflecting on Childhood Photos
[29:43] - The Gift of Life
[30:51] - Goals of a Disciple
[31:40] - Spiritual Formation Explained
[32:32] - Romans 12:2 - Conform vs. Transform
[36:12] - The Metamorphosis Analogy
[38:50] - Deep Internal Change
[40:08] - Forces of Spiritual Formation
[41:57] - Habits, Relationships, and Stories
[47:34] - Environment and Culture
[50:08] - Intentional Transformation
[51:25] - Group Discussions and Exercises
[52:12] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
[88:26] - Benediction and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Romans 12:2 instruct us to do instead of conforming to the world?
According to the sermon, what are the six primary forces that shape us? ([41:57])
How did the pastor describe the transformation process using the analogy of a caterpillar and a butterfly? ([36:12])
What personal milestones did the pastor mention that highlight the miracle of life and growth? ([22:45])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind" as stated in Romans 12:2? How does this transformation differ from merely changing outward behaviors?
How do the six forces of formation (habits, relationships, stories we believe, environment, time, and experiences) actively and passively shape our spiritual lives? ([41:57])
Why is it important to conduct a "formation audit" as suggested in the sermon? How can this practice help us align more closely with the teachings of Jesus? ([50:08])
Reflecting on the joy of answered prayers and personal milestones, how do these experiences reinforce our faith and understanding of God's transformative power? ([22:01])

Application Questions

Romans 12:2 urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. What specific steps can you take this week to renew your mind and align more closely with God's will?
The sermon mentioned the importance of conducting a formation audit. What are some habits or routines in your life that you need to evaluate and possibly change to foster spiritual growth? ([50:08])
Think about your closest relationships. How do these relationships influence your spiritual formation? Are there any changes you need to make in your social circle to support your growth towards Christ-likeness? ([45:27])
The pastor used the analogy of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly to describe deep, internal change. Can you identify an area in your life where you need such a profound transformation? What steps will you take to initiate this change? ([36:12])
Reflect on a recent personal milestone or answered prayer. How did this experience impact your faith? How can you use this reflection to encourage others in their spiritual journey? ([22:01])
The sermon highlighted the stories we believe as a force of formation. What are some negative stories or beliefs you hold about yourself that need to be rewritten? How can you replace them with truths from God's Word? ([47:34])
Considering the cumulative effect of time and experiences on our spiritual formation, what intentional actions can you take to ensure your experiences lead you closer to God rather than away from Him? ([50:08])

Sermon Clips

1. "And yet, as fascinating as all the outward changes are that we see in people, the most fascinating changes are actually the ones that are inside us, the ones we can't see, the ones that are internal, changes that happen to our souls, to who we become, changes that we learned last week happen through spiritual formation." [29:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "To be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do as he did. Now, when I was at school, we learned by rote. So we're going to go back 60-something years. I want you to repeat after me. The goal of an apprentice of Jesus is to be like Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as he did." [30:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Think about that change, though, from a little creature limited to crawling around on twigs and eating leaves to a butterfly that can spread its wings and fly wherever it likes. The caterpillar doesn't just undergo a superficial change. It's almost completely changed. It goes through a really deep change. And that's why it's the perfect picture to help us understand the depth of change that is possible in the human soul." [38:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are right now either being conformed to be more like the pattern of this world, or we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds to be like Jesus. There is no option C. We either conform or we transform. Because you see, what we need to realize is that spiritual formation happens to everyone, whether we are Christian or not." [40:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Spiritual formation is not optional, but there is a problem. And that problem is that most of our formation is unintentional. No true apprentice of Jesus sits down one day and says, you know what? I think I'm going to give it all up and conform to the world. And no one sets out to become bitter or angry or greedy or jealous or judgmental or fearful. But if we're not careful, it just happens to us by living a normal life." [41:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The moral, pick your stories carefully because they will determine who you become. And our stories, our relationships and habits all come from our environment, including our culture. We are products of where we live. We're products of our culture, or at the very least, where we live, both physically and in today's world, in the digital online world, and our culture influence who we are, what we think, how we do things, the things we value, and what we don't." [47:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "So, we are unintentionally spiritually formed, whether we know it or not, and whether we like it or not. Just by waking up in the morning and going about our day, we're parents. We are spiritually formed. And so the question isn't, are you becoming someone? It's who or what are you becoming?" [50:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "As you think about your interactions with people do they leave you feeling stressed and anxious or energized and grateful or and if they are the former if they are leaving you feeling stressed and anxious what can you do so that's not the case what you will find it helpful to do is to take time to offer whatever feelings desires insights or interactions you have to God in prayer praying that the Holy Spirit will guide you on the next step for you." [01:16:10] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "As you apprentice under Jesus and as you conduct your formation audit as you start to make new decisions about your life may you live for what matters most may you treat each day as a precious gift from God a precious gift to be stewarded with gratitude and joy and may every day find you more and more transformed by the renewing of your mind and being at peace with God and in God." [01:18:26] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I pray he also reveals to you in a way that enables you to not judge yourself the things where you go, oh, I need to change that. I need your help, Lord, to change that. And so let's pray. Father, I thank you that you want to work with us to transform us to be like Jesus, to become like him and to do as he did." [01:26:41] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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