PACO 509 Discussion: Developing a Fresh Perspective on Spiritual Formation
Guiding Purpose Statement
From a Christian perspective through presenting a developmental teleology, or a
theological understanding of the goal of development, we draw on the Greek worked telos,
which means goal, purpose, or completion. The question is posed, “what is God’s view or hope
for humankind?’ or “what is the goal or purpose of human development?” Thus, the aim is to
propose a developmental teleology- theological understanding of becoming a complete human
being as God intends. Christians recognize that humans are made in the image of God and that
Jesus Christ is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15) and acknowledge that God’s goal or
purpose for humankind is to become conformed to the image of God in Christ (King, 2016, pgs.,
216-17).
Throughout Nichols’ work, Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself as God’s Work of Art Changes
Everything! (2017, p. 61-62), he paints the picture of how God is transforming us, giving us a
new image and identity. With this transformation, process, from which, no one is exempt; it is
God’s intent to change us to reflect his love, kindness wisdom and strength to a watching world.
Romans the eighth chapter and twenty-ninth verse, tells us that God foreknew, also predestined
many to be conformed to the image of his Son. From the beginning of creation, it was the heart
of God, (King James Bible, 1987, Genesis 1:26-27), to make man in his image and after his
likeness. Our inner attitudes and actions are to reflect Christ, focusing our minds and hearts on
Christ’s character and letting the wonder of his grace sink deep into us. We will only love, when
we realize how incredibly deep, He loves us, even those who reject his love. Seeking to be an
example of Christ, I am committed to become at loving friend. I will have to submit myself
to the works of the Holy Spirit, so I practice the love spoken of in first Corinthians 13:4-7. We
are to be Christ as an image is to the original. The primary goal of spiritual life is human
transformation. The Bible speaks of transformation as the work of God. It is always a miracle
when it happens. We can open ourselves through certain practices but cannot engineer it. We
are in training to be like Jesus. We must make the choice to take every moment, every activity
of life, for morphing purposes (Ortberg, 2002). Our spiritual formation on the inner is being
shaped all the time by what you see, read, hear, think, and do. The inner you is the spirit.
GPS Helps in my Relationship with God and Friends to Flourish
Ortberg (2010) contends, God made you to flourish. The truth is, those who flourish
always bring blessings to others-and they can do so in the most unexpected and humble
circumstances. Flourishing means moving toward God’s best version of you. The journey
begins with your spirit, which becomes empowered by God’s Spirit. God grows you. He wants
to use you in His plan to redeem His world, and you find Him changing experiences. Your
flourishing self-works out of a richness and a desire to contribute. We flourish when our spirits
are rooted and shaped by the Spirit of God-and wants to do that in a way that uniquely fits us.
King (2016) agrees stating, no Christology is complete without understanding the role of the
Spirit. Human transformation towards the image of God in Christ and our ability to participate
in God’s ongoing work in the world are enabled by the work to the Spirit. The Spirit enable
human transformation towards the image of God as unique persons.
Ortberg (2010) teaches the importance of staying in the flow of the Spirit and being
transparent. We can only be love to the extent that we are known. To be fully known and fully
loved is the most healing gift one human being can give another. Being human means being
honest about what we want. When I keep God between you and me, I begin to be less afraid of
you. When I keep God between me and you, I begin to be less controlling. In spiritual education
we learn to keep a kind of spiritual space between ourselves and the souls around us. That space
is where God flows between you and me. The space between me and my enemy is the space
where love can grow.
Research-based definition of growth in favor with God and others
To grow in the favor of God and others, Becker (2016) introduces us to the concept of
minimalism. He shows the reader how his possessions did not bring the happiness into his life
they were intended too; even worse, they were actually distracting him from the things that do.
By practicing minimalism and letting go of things that don’t matter, you are free to pursue all the
things that really do matter, your greatest passions. Living with less offers more time to spend
on meaningful activities, more freedom to travel, more clarity in our spiritual pursuits, increased
mental capacity to solve our most heartfelt problems, healthier finances to support causes we
believe in, and greater flexibility to pursue the careers we most desire.
When we free ourselves from the unnecessary clutter our relationships get better. We
may even have more time to enjoy hobbies. Hobbies are a great way to socialize and meet new
friends. Social hobbies and even facilitate bonds with others and add another layer of support to
your life serving to reduce stress. Hobbies take us out of our everyday experience and give us a
chance to do something we love and are passionate about (Kettering, 2019).
To grow in the favor of God, we must stay connected to Him in the spirit. Jesus gave
direct instruction and warning in the Bible. He told the disciples in order to produce fruit, and
grow from more to much, they must stay connected to the vine, as branches, as He is connected
to His father (John 15:1-8).
God’s goal for humans, is to live in perfect reciprocity with God, others, and creation as
they become more like Christ, and the means by with we realize this is through relating to God,
others, and creation. We are created to be in relationship with God. This relationship is to be
characterized by uniqueness, unity, and reciprocity and results in our becoming like Christ (King,
2016).
Spiritual formation involves members of the body maturing together toward
Christlikeness, by the power of the Holy Spirit and according to biblical standards. Growing in
community toward Christlikeness, is the critical need of all Christ followers. One must first
know their own identity in Christ, so that they can make themselves know in Christian
community, so that one can pursue a lifetime of growth in integrity, so that one can become fully
equipped to glorify Christ by serving others (Pettit, 2008).
References
Becker, J. (2016). The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own.
Waterbrook.
Kettering Global, (2019, April 19). Why Hobbies are Important?
King James Bible, (1987).
King, P. E. (2016). The Reciprocating Self: Trinitarian and Christological Anthropologies of
Being and Becoming. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 35(3), 215-232.
Nichols, K. (2017). Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself as God’s Work of Art Changes Everything!
Liberty University Press.
Ortberg, J. (2002). The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People.
Zondervan.
Ortberg, J. (2010). The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You. Zondervan.
Pettit, P. (2008). Foundations of Spiritual Formation: A Community Approach to Becoming
Like Christ. Kregel Academic.
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