Exploring the impact of mentors John Wesley and Dallas Willard, understanding Christian spiritual formation as a path to virtue and happiness, a transformative airport experience reflecting growth, and reflections on adopting the mind of Christ for spiritual growth.
Starting with the end goal in mind aids in understanding desired outcomes across various aspects of life.
Spiritual formation through practices and mentor insights leads to personal growth and alignment with God's will.
Deep dives
Begin with the end in mind
Starting with the end goal in mind, whether it's related to leadership, business, personal projects, or life itself, emphasizes the importance of understanding the desired outcome. In the context of spiritual growth, reflecting on God's end goal for individuals, as well as personal aspirations, can lead to meaningful insights. Incorporating insights from mentors like John Wesley and Dallas Willard can provide valuable perspectives on virtues, happiness, contentment, and alignment with God's desires.
Christian spiritual formation and transformation
Christian spiritual formation offers a pathway towards achieving virtues and qualities like joy, power, and radiance. Understanding and engaging in spiritual practices, such as adopting the narratives of Jesus, soul-training exercises, and active participation in a community, can lead to transformation. Recognizing that discipleship should not be a part-time activity but a holistic lifestyle that revolves around relational spirituality can facilitate genuine growth.
Personal growth through spiritual practices
The transformation experienced through spiritual practices can manifest in everyday moments, shaping responses and behaviors. A practical example illustrates how engaging in spiritual formation can change one's approach to challenges, like managing anger, leading to more positive and Christlike interactions. By aligning mindsets with God's teachings and consistently practicing spiritual disciplines, individuals can embody virtues, align with God's will, and experience personal growth.
In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “Begin with the end in mind.” Smith explains his thought from above by talking about his two mentors John Wesley and Dallas Willard. James illustrates his thought from above with a story about a friend and his understanding of Christian spiritual formation. Interested in donating […]