Christian spirituality is the
holistic relating of one’s entire life
as understood, felt, imagined and decided upon in relationship to God as Father
by being united to Him through Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Spirit’s
indwelling presence.
“It’s the quest for a fulfilled and authentic
Christian existence, involving the bringing together of the basic ideas of
Christianity and the whole experience of living within the Christian faith.”
(Alister E.
McGrath, Christian Spirituality: An Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell
Publishers, 1999), 1)
When Jesus called followers to . . .
“Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt.11:28),
He wasn’t calling them to detachment
from religious pursuit, or offering freedom from all constraints, but
rather into engagement with Himself uttered in the expression “my yoke” (v:29), a metaphor for
the discipline of discipleship.
- Biblical spiritual growth works to enable us to realise our personal and corporate humanity
- Spiritual growth is observable
- Spiritual growth is subject to both progression and regression
- Purposefully supported spiritual growth evidences maturity
- Discipleship is not only an intention it’s also action within a self-disciplined structure
- Spiritual disciplines practices enable effective spiritual formation/ discipleship growth, especially when supported by Rule of Life regula and rhythms.
From SSPP Seminar session #1
