Personal Spiritual FormationBounded Set vs. Centered Set
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Introduction
“This Sacred Romance is set within all our hearts and will not go away. It is the core of our spiritual journey. Any religion that ignores it survives only as guilt induced legalism, a set of propositions to be memorized and rules to be obeyed.” Brent Curtis, John Eldredge
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation is “the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.” - Robert Mulholland
Tuesday, January 17, 12
It is a process...
Spiritual Formation is about being in a relationshipIt is about allowing the fullness of God to meet us right where we are.
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Of being formed -
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Of being formed -
Old Covenant - you had to cleanse yourself and THEN come to God.
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Of being formed -
Old Covenant - you had to cleanse yourself and THEN come to God.
New Covenant - Christ’s blood has already cleansed you. Come as you are.
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Of being formed -
Old Covenant - you had to cleanse yourself and THEN come to God.
New Covenant - Christ’s blood has already cleansed you. Come as you are.
It is the promised work of the Holy Spirit. When we enter the presence of God the Holy Spirit becomes the change agent.
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Bounded Set
Image is everything!In a place where the way things are is all important, the way things really are will never get dealt with.
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does not...
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does not...
Drink
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does not...
Drink
Smoke
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does not...
Drink
Smoke
Chew
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does not...
Drink
Smoke
Chew
Go with girls who do
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does...
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does...
Go to church
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does...
Go to church
Read Bible everyday
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does...
Go to church
Read Bible everyday
Pray everyday
Tuesday, January 17, 12
A Real Christian does...
Go to church
Read Bible everyday
Pray everyday
Witness
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Norms for a group (church) - they become the criteria for inclusion/exclusion
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Norms for a group (church) - they become the criteria for inclusion/exclusion
Following the norms = okay
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Norms for a group (church) - they become the criteria for inclusion/exclusion
Following the norms = okay
It’s all about appearance and behavior
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Norms for a group (church) - they become the criteria for inclusion/exclusion
Following the norms = okay
It’s all about appearance and behavior
No negative emotions allowed
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Norms for a group (church) - they become the criteria for inclusion/exclusion
Following the norms = okay
It’s all about appearance and behavior
No negative emotions allowed
When performance fails - guilt and rebellion follow
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view ourselves?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view ourselves?
Mundane
Tired/exhausted
Fake
Ashamed
Guilty
Failure
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view others?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view others?
Judgmental
Compare to others
Critical
Unloving
Fearful
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view God?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view God?
Judge
Distant
Uncaring
Conditional love
Dispenser of guilt
Task Master
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Centered Set
Truth is everything! (Jesus)It becomes about a person, not an image
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Father - child
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Father - child
Vine - branch
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Father - child
Vine - branch
Potter - clay
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Father - child
Vine - branch
Potter - clay
Bridegroom - Bride
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Images from Scripture
Father - child
Vine - branch
Potter - clay
Bridegroom - Bride
Redeemer - redeemed
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Focus - life/ministry/behaviors - all focused on Christ
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Focus - life/ministry/behaviors - all focused on Christ
Direction - The point is the journey, not the destination
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Focus - life/ministry/behaviors - all focused on Christ
Direction - The point is the journey, not the destination
Movement - The value is on progression, not speed of movement or position
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Important Concepts
Focus - life/ministry/behaviors - all focused on Christ
Direction - The point is the journey, not the destination
Movement - The value is on progression, not speed of movement or position
Re-alignment - when someone stumbles or stops on the journey, there is a community to grab them and say “come on, we’re going to make it.”
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view ourselves?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view ourselves?
Accepted
Loved
Fulfilled
Free from judgment
Worthy
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view others?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view others?
Trust
Compassion
Cooperation
See/respond to the person of Jesus within them
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view God?
Tuesday, January 17, 12
How do we view God?
Loving
For you - not against you
Redeeming
Forgiving
Gracious
Helper, Healer, Approachable, Lover
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Breaking free!
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Breaking free!
Possible Responses -
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Breaking free!
Possible Responses - Break out through rebellion
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Breaking free!
Possible Responses - Break out through rebellionLegalism
Tuesday, January 17, 12
Breaking free!
Possible Responses - Break out through rebellionLegalismRepent and Rest
Tuesday, January 17, 12