Spiritual Formation - Essay Example

Spiritual formation can be separated, therefore, into different definitions according to one’s beliefs and experiences. The spiritual life in the biblical sense is one that should affect one’s daily life and his relationships not only with God but also with his neighbors. The one objective that sums up Jesus’ teachings while on earth was love. This was further reinforced by his disciples in the writings of the New Testament “faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” It is difficult to separate the spiritual life from everyday life.

As in our love of God and love of neighbor, the value of our rituals and devotional life is judged by how we behave in our daily life and work (Westerhoff 3). The desire to understand one self and his humanity can lead to spiritual formation. There is an intrinsic desire in man to seek God or that higher being that will explain his purpose here on earth. Some persons confuse this desire by aspiring for material things. A successful career, a happy family, good health and financial stability do not necessarily bring inner peace and contentment that comes with spiritual formation or being spiritually tuned with God.

Since the early church spiritual formation has taken on new dimensions and emphasis. In the early church there was that special bond with the believers who live in a community and share the experiences and difficulties that came with the establishment of a new way of living. Jesus began a -learn as -they -go method with the disciples. He didn’t ask much from them; only to follow Him. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector but their new quest of spiritual formation overshadowed their faults and shortcomings.

In His humanness Jesus accepted the fact that they came with their own baggage, backgrounds and personalities. These disciples were not formed instantly. Even when Jesus walked among them they exhibited different emotions and weaknesses. At times they were fearful, angry,