John Mark Comer, author and founder of 'Practicing the Way', discusses his new book and non-profit on the Voxology podcast. They explore the importance of community in spiritual formation and the role of suffering. Comer delves into the mission of 'Practicing the Way' and expresses admiration for Tim Mackie and Tim Stafford.
Spiritual formation prioritizes love, joy, peace, and contentment over personal happiness and self-effort.
Embodying the teachings of Jesus requires surrender, deep inner transformation, and aligning actions with grace.
True spiritual transformation occurs within community support, vulnerability, and embracing suffering.
Deep dives
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship vs Self-Improvement
The difference between spiritual formation and self-improvement lies in the overall worldview and the role of grace. In spiritual formation, the highest value is not personal happiness, but love, joy, peace, and contentment. It emphasizes the transformation of the inner person through deep surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, self-improvement often centers around individualism, pride, and ego. It promotes self-effort and focuses on personal success and achievement. Another key distinction is the relational aspect of spiritual formation, where community and authentic relationships play a vital role. In contrast, self-improvement tends to prioritize personal goals and individual fulfillment. The practice of spiritual disciplines is not just about cultivating individual habits, but about being loved into loving others and participating in a community that reflects the character of Jesus.
Getting the Bible into Your Body
Spiritual formation goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge by seeking to embody the teachings of Jesus in daily life. It involves getting the essence of the Bible into one's body and aligning one's actions, emotions, and unconscious responses with the teachings of Jesus. This process requires opening oneself to the power of the Holy Spirit and giving God access to the deep inner layers of one's being. It involves deep surrender and consent to grace, allowing God's empowering presence to transform one from within. Spiritual disciplines and practices serve as tools to create space for the Spirit's work and to deepen one's connection with God's grace.
The Worldview of Spiritual Formation
Spiritual formation challenges the prevailing worldview that equates personal happiness and self-fulfillment with success and achievement. It invites individuals to embrace a different set of values, rooted in love, peace, joy, and contentment. Discipleship to Jesus emphasizes the importance of relationships, community, and interconnectedness. It recognizes that true spiritual transformation occurs in the context of mutual support, vulnerability, and love. This worldview also acknowledges the role of suffering, weakness, and humility on the journey of discipleship. It contrasts with models that focus solely on personal happiness, individualistic striving, and success-driven self-improvement.
The Role of Grace in Spiritual Formation
Grace plays a central role in spiritual formation, as it is not merely about self-effort or self-improvement. True discipleship requires an openness to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, allowing grace to work deeply within to align one's life with the teachings of Jesus. This grace empowers individuals to live lives of love, forgiveness, and compassion that go beyond their own abilities. It is not about earning or striving, but about receiving and surrendering to the work of grace in one's life. Grace is what enables individuals to become more like Jesus and embody his character in the world.
The Concept of a Rule of Life
The podcast episode discusses the concept of a rule of life, which is a schedule and set of practices that order one's life around abiding in Jesus and discipleship to Him. The idea is rooted in the biblical notion of following the 'way' of Jesus, as well as the ancient language of a 'rule' or 'regular' in the Christian tradition. The rule of life serves as a support structure that lifts individuals up, guiding and guarding them toward spiritual growth and bearing fruit.
The Role of Suffering in Spiritual Formation
The podcast explores the role of suffering in the process of spiritual formation. It highlights how suffering can serve as a crucible for personal growth and liberation, stripping away attachments and old ways of being. By experiencing and enduring suffering, individuals have the opportunity to lay down new patterns and pathways of life, leading to greater maturity and freedom. The podcast emphasizes that suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian journey, echoed by the New Testament writers who affirm that it plays a pivotal role in shaping and transforming believers into the likeness of Christ.
Practicing the Way. Today, Mike and Tim are joined by old friend John Mark Comer, to discuss his new book and non profit, 'Practicing the Way.' Why “apprentice” instead of disciple? Are we are all being formed by someone or something? Is spiritual formation not so much a Christian thing or even a religious thing, but a human thing? How is community integral to spiritual formation? How is the practice of community far more than church attendance? How does suffering play into all of this?
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