How We Change: Unintentional Spiritual Formation | Discovering Your Identity and Calling E4 (Revamped)
Feb 2, 2024
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John Mark, a speaker who discusses the influences that shape our lives and who we become, challenges us to be intentional with our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences to form us into people of love. Topics include the tension of multiple selves and character development, the lifelong process of spiritual formation, exploring narratives of sexuality and gender, the power of stories and habits, shaping our hearts and desires, and aligning loves and longings with God's desires.
Our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences shape us into people of love.
Aligning our desires and longings with the way of Jesus requires intentional discernment and transformation.
Deep dives
Becoming the Fullness of Christ
In this podcast episode, John Mark explores the concept of growing and maturing into the fullness of Christ. He questions the idea of being true to oneself and reflects on the different desires and conflicting identities within us. He emphasizes the importance of character and humility in our calling, and how it is not just about our career, but also about our inner journey towards becoming more like Jesus. The episode discusses the influence of stories we believe, our habits, relationships, and environment, highlighting how they shape our formation over time. John Mark encourages listeners to ask the question, 'Who are you becoming?' and offers a habit audit exercise to align our desires with the way of Jesus.
Formation Through Stories, Habits, Relationships, and Environment
In this episode, the influence of stories, habits, relationships, and environment on our formation is explored. The podcast discusses how the stories we believe shape our identity and desires, and how habits play a significant role in shaping our hearts and longings. It highlights the impact of our relationships and the environment we are in on our formation, both positive and negative. The episode emphasizes the need to become aware of these influences in order to align our desires and longings with the way of Jesus.
Questioning Cultural Narratives and Pursuing Transformation
This podcast episode challenges cultural narratives and invites listeners to question the stories and messages they are exposed to. It encourages intentional discernment of the stories we believe, the habits we cultivate, and the relationships we engage in. The episode acknowledges the formative power of our experiences and emphasizes the need for intentional transformation through the practice of spiritual disciplines. It invites listeners to reflect on who they are becoming and provides practical steps to align their desires and longings with Jesus.
Aligning Our Desires with God's Heart
In this episode, the importance of aligning our desires with God's heart is discussed. The speaker highlights the need to want what God wants and desires, and to hunger and thirst after God's kingdom. It emphasizes discipleship as a process of curating our hearts and intentionally shaping our loves and longings to be in line with Jesus. The episode encourages listeners to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in realigning their desires and gives practical advice on how to change and grow in Christ.
"The question isn't, are you being formed? It's, what are you being formed into?"
John Mark talks about the various influences that shape our lives and who we become. He challenges us to be intentional with our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences to form us into people of love.
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sam from Derby, Derbyshire; Kevin from Hamilton, Ontario; Matthew from Langley, British Columbia; Elijah from Garland, Texas; and Kendall from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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