Christian Formation Transformation and Growth By Intentional Means

Acknowledgements Acknowledgement to Dallas Willard for concepts and terminology used throughout this presentation 2

Introduction q What is Christian Formation? q Do we need it? Why? q How do we engage in Christian Formation? 3

Biblical Description … so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ … (Eph. 4: 12 -13 NIV) 4

Biblical Description You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness(Eph. 4: 22 -24 NIV) 5

Contemporary Reality Common Explanations • Not Dedicated Enough • Not Obedient Enough • Too Preoccupied with Self • Unconfessed Sin • Too Overwhelmed by Modern Culture 6

Commonly Offered Solutions How can I grow as a Christian? How can I make God real in my life? • • Prayer Bible Repent Ministry (like sending postcards) (analyze, apply, do it) (be sorry, mean it, try hard) (activity generates spirituality) 7

Default Strategy Traditional Church Programs: • Discipleship = Education + Behavior Modification • Means = Reason + Will-Power 8

What if there was a way to … • • • Break the patterns of the past Build Christ-like character Deliberately pursue transformation See evidence of Biblical vision of maturity Experience the reality of the Kingdom Have a genuine relationship with God 9

Another approach Traditional Approach - Ethical rules - Merciful acts - Knowing about God - Do different things - External appearance - Achievement Formational Approach - Ethical character - Merciful person - Relationship with God - Be different people - Internal Change - Surrender 10

Christian Formation “The Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ Himself ” (Willard: Renovation of the Heart) 11

Christian Formation: V-I-M How do we engage in it ? q Vision: Things we need to see clearly q Intention: Choices we need to make q Means: What we need to do (Dallas Willard’s Model) 12

VISION Things we need to see clearly (refocus): • Practical Theology – Gospel, Grace, Belief • Participation – Transformation, Discipleship • Barriers to Spiritual Development [ the complete series breaks out all of these areas in detail ] 13

INTENTION Choices we need to make in regard to arranging our lives in order to be formed by the Spirit: • Direction of Formation • Being Deliberate • Barriers to Intentionality [ the complete series breaks out all of these areas in detail ] 14

MEANS Relationship with God is the cornerstone of the Gospel and the basis for all restoration and transformation • Ways to Engage with God • Manner of Engagement • What to Expect • Barriers [ the complete series breaks out all of these areas in detail ] 15

Our Hope and Calling … in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might … (Col. 1: 9 -11) 16

Christian Formation Transformation and Growth By Intentional Means

Contact Information For an in-depth presentation on Christian Formation, Please contact David Takle david@Kingdom. Formation. org

Copyright notice Please note that this slide presentation is the property of David Takle of Kingdom Formation Ministries. This presentation may be freely distributed and shown only as a single unit in its original form. No portion may be extracted for distribution or any other public use. Copyright © 2005, David Takle 19