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ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Spiritual Formation - What's that?Spiritual Formation is the process by which Christian believers learn to "follow Jesus Christ" that is, to become more and more like the One we follow.
It's like this: We can ask God to forgive our sin and restore us to relationship with Him through Jesus' death on the cross - His ultimate sacrifice in payment for our sin. Praying in such a way leads to "salvation" from our sin and from a broken relationship with God. But a relationship with God that stops with such a prayer is a surefire way to cheat ourselves of the love, guidance, comfort, joy, peace, contentment and adventure -- yes, adventure! -- God longs to lavish on us as we decide to "follow" Him.
And we're not the only ones who lose out when we ask for salvation from sin and nothing more. GOD is deeply disappointed, too, because He longs to walk in companionship with us every single day of our lives, and on into eternity!
So what does the Spiritual Formation process involve?The Spiritual Formation process is a way to get acquainted with God. It involves communication with and from God, which is accomplished in a variety of ways: through reading and studying God's love letter to us (the Bible); through talking with, listening to, and enjoying God (the Bible, prayer, public and private worship); through talking with, listening to and doing things with God's "relatives" other Christians (fellowship); and through enjoying and caring about God's creation - the natural world, and all animal and human creatures (outreach, evangelism, stewardship).
How do I get started?Here at Dahlonega United Methodist Church we offer all kinds of opportunities to engage in the Spiritual Formation process. Our home page will tell you about our public worship opportunities.
Reading and studying of the Bible, as well as prayer and private worship, should happen regularly at home, of course. How? We can help you learn! And one of the ways to learn how to communicate with God privately is to take advantage of some of the Bible studies, Sunday school classes and Community Group opportunities we offer every week! Not only do we learn better together, but we also get to know other Christians, and to watch how they do their "following". These group opportunities also offer ways to care for others, and for the creation as a whole.
And by the way - that thing about adventure? You'll find that all along the way - and in some unexpected places!
Don't miss out! Give us a call at (706) 864-2521 to get started! We're learning to "follow", too!
Winter/Spring 2008 Spiritual Formation Opportunities
Rev. Christy Greenwald,
Assoc. Pastor for Spiritual Formation
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