Teacher: Dr. G. Steve Kinnard

Class Aims:

1.  To explore and understand the process of spiritual formation.

2.  To investigate the classic spiritual disciplines which aid in spiritual formation.

Assignment:

1. Before the class begins, read one of the following books:

Demarest, Bruce.  Satisfy Your Soul. 

Foster, Richard.  Celebration of Discipline.

Various Authors.  The Kingdom Life:  A Practical Theology of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation.

Willard, Dallas.  The Spirit of the Disciplines.

 

If you have questions, please contact Steve Kinnard at stevekinnard@mac.com

Supplemental reading:

Kinnard, G. Steve.  The Way of the Heart. Volumes 1 & 2. 

_______.  Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water. 

 

Class Outline: 

Lesson One:  Introductory Material.  What is Spiritual Formation?

Lesson Two:  Introduction to Spiritual Formation, cont.

Lesson Three:  Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines

Lesson Four:  The Purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines

Lesson Five: The Spiritual Disciplines I

     Dependence:  Prayer

Lesson Six:  The Spiritual Disciplines II

     Dependence:  Fasting, Meditation

Lesson Seven:  The Spiritual Disciplines III

     Dependence: Bible Study

Lesson Eight:  The Spiritual Disciplines IV

     Dependence:  Worship

Lesson Nine:  The Spiritual Disciplines V

     Dependence:  Surrender, Repentance

Lesson Ten:  The Spiritual Disciplines VI

     Interdependence:  The One Another Way

Lesson Eleven:  The Spiritual Disciplines VII

     Interdependence:  Evangelism, Simplicity

Lesson Twelve:  The Spiritual Disciplines VIII

     Interdependence:  Service, Sanctifying the Ordinary

 

The Spiritual Disciplines:

—Part One:  Learning Dependence on God.

—1.  Prayer. 

—2.  Fasting. 

—3.  Meditation: Silence. Solitude. Reflection.  Memorization. 

—4. Bible Study: Journaling. Memorization.

—5.  Worship: Celebration. 

—6.  Surrender:  Trust.  Submission.  Obedience.  Guidance. 

—7.  Repentance:  Confession.

—Part Two:  Learning Interdependence with Others.

—8.  The One Another Way:  Fellowship.  Mentoring/Discipling.  Confession.

—9.  Evangelism:  Missions.

—10. Simplicity:  Frugality.

—11.  Service:  Sacrifice.  The Servant Heart.  Secrecy. 

—12. Sanctifying the Ordinary:  24-7 Discipleship. Living An Everyday, Ordinary Life for God.