Human Devleopment: Spiritual Formation

The examination of how humans develop in the different areas of their lives is one of the most challenging and important aspects of ministry. To truly understand why we practice the things we do as a church we must examine. Even the average lay person can benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the approach and the reason for things like scope and sequence, curriculum choices, and Spiritual practices as it relates to the formation of the spirituality of a person.

One of the first questions that must be asked is why is understanding spirituality important? This question is an essential one that we must answer because there is a growing negativity centered around the idea of the church and Spirituality. The phrase I am Spiritual but not religious is growing in popularity. Spend time in current pop culture and you will inevitably hear this statement pop up among the younger generation. There is a negative connection with the church but not to spirituality. Can true spirituality come without a connection to the church and the teachings of the church? Can we have spirituality in isolation? Who is the focus of Spiritual development? These are the challenges that face the idea of spiritual formation and development.

What Is Spiritual Formation?

To really understand what Spiritual formation it is important to try to define it. Over the years many people have tried and no one definition can be agreed upon when thinking about the spiritual formation of a person and how to best define it. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be trying to achieve that or make our best attempt at it. To gain a better understanding let us begin with what Spiritual formation is not.

Spiritual formation is not just the transferring of information from teacher to learner (Anthony 2001). It takes a much broader and more inclusive approach to the individual. This makes it much more difficult to quantify the results of Spiritual formation. Spiritual formation is also not just a practice of post conversion maintenance (Anthony 2001). Spiritual formation includes the work of the Spirit on the individual before they come to faith. This is a thought that many miss because they do not think of the affect that God may be having on a person before they have come to faith in Christ. Without any knowledge the person may be experiencing the affects of the Spirit of God calling them in their lives to him without ever knowing it. The Spirit works and moves in people’s lives at different times, and we must always be reminded that it is the Spirit that is transforming who they are.

Spiritual formation is a dynamic process, that guides and develops through growth, healing, renewal, and equips disciples toward being as well as doing (Anthony 2001). As stated previously trying to nail spiritual formation down to one definition is difficult. Instead of trying to simply define it we can accept the truth that it is complex and dynamic and is a part of who we are. If we can accept the truth that the Spirit moves differently for everyone, we can see that there are some core truths that can be discerned and followed when approaching spiritual development. This allows for us to develop practices that can help build and reinforce the nature of how the Spirit moves in people’s lives instead of focusing on only one lived experience.

Spiritual Formation does not equal Faith

One issue that we must address when talking about the development of Christian Spirituality development and general faith development. This is an important distinction that needs to be made because of the works of James Fowler. While we could draw from Fowler in our understanding of faith development we need to do so with a word of caution. Dennis dirks warns us that “that his primary conceptualization of faith is generic” (Anthony 2001). This is an important distinction because the framework of his understanding of faith can be applied to all human beings not just to Christians. That is a common mistake that we make in the church that when we hear the word faith we assume it is exclusive to Christianity. Yet, Fowler’s stages of faith can help us gain a good understanding of how faith/Spiritual Development comes in stages. Fowler lists his stages as.

1. Primal or Differentiated Faith birth-3 years (not considered a stage but worth mentioning)

a. Shaped by experiences of love and care by primary caregivers

2. Intuitive-projective Faith (2-7 years)

a. Moral Emotions Emerge and understandings of God begin to take shape.

3. Mythical-literal Faith (8-11)

a. Child begins to take on the stores of faith. Perspectives and feelings of others can be perceived.

4. Synthetic Conventional Faith (12-22)

a. Relationships become a big part of shaping faith. Consideration of others and their feelings and perspectives becomes more central.

5. Individuative-reflective faith (young adulthood)

a. Thoughtful examination and questioning that can lead to a reshaping of ones faith.

6. Conjunctive Faith (middle adulthood and beyond)

a. Hunger for a deeper relationship with the symbols and realities of faith.

7. Universalizing Faith

a. A deep sense of being firmly rooted in faith

The Christian faith can move through these growth stages and aren’t hindered by them. However, it is important that we see that Fowler’s view of these stages involves the efforts of the individual. This removes the work of the Spirit and places the development of a person’s faith squarely on their shoulders. This is not consistent with doctrine within the Wesleyan church and other holiness traditions. Faith development theory does help us see that there are stages and process to one’s faith and that it doesn’t stop at adulthood. One of the great mistakes in the church is that we think development only belongs to the youth of a church. Fowler helps remind us of the importance of continuing development beyond youth.

Spiritual Formation and John Wesley

John Wesley was a big fan of Spiritual development or discipleship. His views are important because of the heritage we share with his thinking and theology. His views of the on the importance of educating and transforming people in the Holy Spirit in their Spiritual growth. For Wesley there are five areas vital to helping people toward mature discipleship and transformed living.

1. Scripture

a. The Bible is central to the church’s teaching ministry

2. Theology

a. Engaging in theological reflection is a natural response to careful study of the Bible

3. Tradition

a. The distinctiveness of one group can influence and enrich others

4. Lifestyle

a. The work of the Holy Spirit is evident in the believer’s lifestyle

5. Community

a. Being a part of a community is how people learn and grow. (Aukerman 2014)

The community at large is formed within these understandings. These vital areas are important not just for the community but the individual’s growth in spiritual life. These are the areas that separate us from Fowlers generic understanding of faith development and place us in a uniquely Christian holiness tradition.

Spiritual Formation for All Ages: Child, Adolescents, Adulthood

Spiritual formation and development are not reserved for only one age group. This was touched on in Fowler, but it is an important to be reminded of this. When approaching Spiritual formation, we must look at each age group and see the various ways that we need to approach the age group.

Childhood

is the first age group that must be examined. While the age ranges for childhood could be argued this can easily be identified as birth to 10 to 12 years of age. The problem with the upper end of the age group is that it can change regionally based on school system and the changing of child development. If we look at scripture thought, we can see the importance of Childhood in our faith development.

Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2 Timothy 3:14–15 NIV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Each of these passages helps draw us to the importance and lasting impact of starting spiritual development from a young age. The instructions from God show us the importance of starting from a young age in Deuteronomy. Timothy’s example bears that out and how from a young age the scriptures and the direction of training has changed him.

One of the most important aspects of child development is the focus on the step by step, stage by stage developmental focus. Robert Clark defines Spiritual formation in children as the step by step and stage by stage process through which a child is guided, encouraged, nurtured, admonished and disciplines to embrace Christ (Anthony 2001). Growth with children is about helping them through the beginnings of belief and faith. To show them love and grace and to set great examples for them as Christians.

Adolescence

is one of the most challenging age groups to work with for many people. It is not unusual for many people to not want to deal with. Adolescence can be viewed as roughly 11 to 20 years old. Like childhood this age group is also subject to interpretation because of development and choices made within the age group. One of the most important aspects of engaging with this age group is to approach with grace and truth. To be patient with the difficulties of minds that are developing and building their own faith but to not shy away from the truth of faith from them. In many ways we are called to live out Galatians 2:20.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Helping them develop to the point that they see their lives built through Christ. To start to take ownership of their faith and live out their faith in the world around them. It is at this stage that it is essential that anyone who is working with them is strong in their faith and can best reflect the faith as they are influenced by relationships deeply.

Adulthood

is the stage that is often overlooked by many when it comes to spiritual formation and development. We often approach maturity in adulthood as weekly attendance and participation. There is a loss of deeper grown and importance of going deeper as adults. It is in adulthood that we must begin pushing for spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity a matter of the heart transformed for God. This is lived out not just at church but in the workplace, home, and any other place that we interact and live out our lives. Adult development must push to never stop but to continue through the rest of our lives and never reach a state of satisfaction with where we are at.

Spiritual Disciplines and Development

One area that is important that we discuss in the development of all age groups is the role of Spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines can help us to transform our minds and hearts for God. These practices are not necessary rules for faith, but they assist greatly in our growth. Foster says it best when he says, “The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us” (Foster 2018). The spiritual disciplines of inward, outward, and corporate can be powerful tools to help us grow not only as individuals but as a corporate body. They can include meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. Each of these are not reserved for any one age group and can be practiced for all age groups.

Spiritual Development: Conclusions

We need to take seriously the role of spiritual development. To help us to live out the great commission. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the