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Planning for Spiritual Formation in the Local Congregation

January 24, 2012
Rolling Hills Covenant Church Bible Institute

Church Life Spiritual Formation Discipleship Lecture Sermon

Dallas offers wonderful instruction for creating a vision to bring a culture of spiritual formation into our churches. The ministry of Jesus Christ resulted in the transformation of his disciples, and Dallas helps us understand that this should be the primary mission of every local church.

In this teaching session, which was to kick-off a year of studying spiritual formation at the Bible Institute of Rolling Hills Covenant Church, you will learn about:

  • Three parts of the Great Commission mandate
  • How to help the members of your fellowship become people who do what Jesus said
  • What spiritual formation is
  • Difference between trying and training for spiritual formation
  • How the human personality is put together, and where our actions come from
  • Trying to make people righteous versus trying to make them whole.

Resources

Planning for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church

Dallas discusses spiritual formation within the local church, highlighting its indispensable role in transforming individual lives and entire congregations. He demystifies spiritual formation, connects it seamlessly with biblical teachings, and uses the Great Commission to outline a revolutionary model of discipleship that promises not only personal renewal but also a dynamic shift in how the church impacts the world. Discover the practical steps your church can take to foster an environment where spiritual growth is nurtured, leading to visible change in behavior and enhanced outreach through the lives of transformed believers. 

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Planning for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church

Highlights:

  • Spiritual Formation in the Local Church: Dallas emphasizes the critical role of spiritual formation within local congregations, highlighting the shift from individual to communal spiritual growth. He explains that spiritual formation at the church level is essential for making a meaningful impact on the world and fulfilling the church's mission.
  • Demystifying Spiritual Formation: Dallas aims to clarify the concept of spiritual formation by stripping away any misconceptions associated with it. He stresses the need to understand it in practical terms and align it with biblical teachings, pointing out that although the term isn't in the Bible, the process it describes is deeply rooted in scripture.
  • Great Commission as a Model for Spiritual Formation: Dallas uses the Great Commission to illustrate Jesus' method of spiritual formation, focusing on making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey Jesus' commands. He highlights this as a revolutionary approach aimed at transforming character and influencing all nations.
  • Role of the Church in Spiritual Transformation: He argues that the church must actively participate in the spiritual transformation of its members, ensuring that teachings lead to actual obedience and change in behavior. This transformation is seen as essential for fulfilling the church's mission in the world.
  • Spiritual Formation as a Continuous Process: Dallas explains that spiritual formation is an ongoing process that involves changing one's inner life to align more closely with Jesus' teachings. He discusses the transformation of various aspects of the self, including the heart, mind, and soul, towards Christlikeness.
  • Practical Steps for Implementing Spiritual Formation in Church: Dallas offers practical suggestions for how churches can implement spiritual formation programs. He emphasizes the importance of creating training opportunities that help individuals grow spiritually and align their lives more closely with Christian values and teachings.
  • Transformed Lives on Outreach: Dallas discusses the potent effect of transformed lives on church outreach. He argues that genuinely transformed individuals are the most effective means for outreach, as their lives naturally exhibit the virtues and behaviors taught by Jesus, attracting others to the faith.

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