The Doctrinal Basis of Spiritual Formation

The Doctrinal Basis of Spiritual Formation

Thesis Statement: The purpose of Spiritual Formation is to become more and more like Jesus so that we can reflect him on earth.

Thesis Statement: The purpose of God with us is to glorify him by restoring his Glory in us.

1. The Purpose

The purpose is found in our being. We are created in God’s image. Read Genesis 1:26

Men as God’s image is characterized by these three things: Their designated position (), their relationship with God (; ) and their perfection ().

The purpose is found in our being. We are created in God’s image.

„Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.“ (Isa 43:7)

Jesus was the perfect reflection of God.

(Isa 43:7)

The purpose of man is to glorify God and to give expression in visible, audible, tangible ways to what the invisible, intangible God is really like.

2. The Problem

Sin made it impossible for men to fulfill what they were designed for – to glorify God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ()

What happen when Adam and Eve sinned?

Physical death (.; )

Spiritual death (Col 2:13; 2 Cor 4:3-6)

3. The Pathway

Even though man could not bare the glory of God anymore, God did not leave man without a witness of his glory. God delivered the people of Israel from their slavery, to dwell with them, so that all nations on earth could see his glory through them.

God was present with his glory:

In the cloud by day and a pillar by night (; )

On mount Sinai ()

In the tabernacle ()

In the temple ()

In the most holy place ()

Finally, the glory of God departed from Israel, but God promised that his glory will return ().

This promise was fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Johan 1,14 )

Christ is the perfect reflection of God’s Glory (; Col 1:15)

Christ fulfilled what Adam and Eva could’t. Through his life, death and resurrection he showed how God is – His glory among man.

4. The Promise