What Works for Spiritual Formation
Lately I've been asking myself and others this question: What's the best strategy for promoting spiritual growth in a local church context--Sunday school, small groups, or something else?
What do you think?
Post your response as a comment on this post, and I'll do the same. No fair peeking! Post your answer before you read mine--I really want to hear what you think.
Continue Reading >
6 Comments:
Here's what I think:
They both work, if done properly. So does mentoring, religious education, and any number of other approaches.
While people usually give spiritualized reasons for using a particular approach, their true reasons are usually cultural.
That said, I think every approach has predictable shortcomings. Sunday school can get a bit tired. Small groups tend to become cliquish if not monitored. One-to-one approaches are hard to multiply, etc., etc., etc. Any approach has to be well-led and continually evaluated.
Bible teaching, relationships, and accountability are the soil, sunlight, and water of spiritual growth.
There is no single best way to deliver them.So the real question is not "Which is best?" but "What will generate the most participation in our context?" or "Which one do we prefer?"
A cool thing for Sunday School and small groups to keep them from getting stale is for the facilitators (not teachers, 'cause we all have much to learn) for the study to appoint substitutes, encourage substitutes to lead the class/group. There is no mystery to Bible study . . . except you must show up, Bible in hand, prepared to learn. I love classes where we all learn and no one is the "leader" and everyone asks questions, and then we all research and discuss answers the following meeting. So much fun, encouragement and learning!! Learned this approach from my very first Bible study teacher, Linny Dye, way way way back in the day.
I'm a firm believer in a two-tiered approach. Studies show that we still primarily receive information via a didactic approach (aka large group kind of teaching). Those same studies also show that, although we receive information didactically well, we do not process it well in a large group. In fact, few process information into transformation well by themselves. We process information (Truth) into personal transformation best in the context of safe and meaningful relationships. I'm a firm believer in the small group as the primary means of discipleship. It must be coupled, however, with solid teaching in some form to give direction to the process.
This post has been removed by the author.
it does not necessarily need to be small groups, sunday school, accountability, or even a 1 on 1 mentoring relationship. i think what is most important in spiritual formation is part of the relationships that are going on in the process.
for example, i could hear a sermon on why pursuing a holy life is important. but if i really respect a person and here his story about his past to get him where he is today i am going to listen a little closer to what is being said.
if i go to small group and only discuss scripture but do not become involved in the people that i am attending small group with i probably will not grow as much as i could have.
if i go and serve someone in a soup kitchen but do not actually have conversation with those i am serving, there is something lacking.
i believe john wesley would agree with his bands and classes becoming priority before they person could even attend the society meetings.
good question, i guess that is why it is called formation because it is a continuous process rather then just calling it spiritually formed.
The best strategy is one that is whole-heartedly supported, promoted, and guided by local church leadership. It should incorporate methods of teaching that will relate to different learning types, as well as be relevant to all -- regardless of how long a person has been on his/her spiritual journey.
Large group lessons like Sunday School or a sermon are excellent for introducing a concept, but due to time constraints may not allow for an in depth discussion on practical application.
Small groups should be extensions of the large group "lesson" thus providing the necessary time to hash out the practical application, while also providing accountability and promoting service (within the church and the community).
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home