Ministries > Formation
Spiritual Formation for Adults
"Among the mature... we impart a secret and hidden wisdom." (I Corinthians 2:6-7)
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind [Greek "nous"]." (Romans 12:2)
"Put off your old nature... and be renewed in the spirit of your minds [Greek "nous"] and put on the new nature." (Ephesians 4:22-23)
At DaySpring, many of us have come to see that the spiritual journey is deeper and richer than we once thought. Many of us grew up in churches that seemed to teach "get saved and go evangelize" without teaching people how to go deeply into the spiritual life. We want to know God in a deep way that heals and transforms us; we want to have transformed, prepared hearts.
It has been a surprise to many of us to learn that there is an ancient Christian spiritual tradition that teaches a person how to cleanse the heart and open it to God in a way that leads to change. At DaySpring, we value this spiritual tradition and seek to understand it and practice it. This is not pop psychology or New Age stuff or the latest trend -- it is the ancient Christian path that has been largely unknown among western Christians, particularly Protestants.
Though being made right with God does not depend on one's efforts, one's subsequent spiritual progress does, at least in part. The spiritual journey is not an escalator (you just step on and it carries you upward). Jesus said that it is a "hard road," i.e. it requires effort, but it "leads to life." As a person practices spiritual disciplines, i.e. makes an effort, with an open heart, God acts -- the spiritual Fathers described this as synergy.
We want to be a community of spiritual, loving people who are walking the spiritual path and becoming more like Christ.
At DaySpring, we attempt to be formed spiritually in Christ in a variety of ways. We encourage one another to immerse ourselves daily in Scripture through a slow, meditative style of reading. We worship in a style designed to draw us deeper into God. We cultivate stillness and quiet in our lives. We learn how to gain control of our bodily desires, thoughts, and emotions. We learn how to pray.
If you are interested in specific formation opportunities at DaySpring, they are listed below. Also, please visit the Resources/Library section of this web site where you will find documents written by our leadership to assist people on their journey and some recommended books available for purchase in the Commons at DaySpring.
Formation Opportunities
Sunday Morning Spiritual Formation Classes for Summer 2013 (Sundays, 9:45 AM; June 2nd - July 28th): Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?
Other Formation Opportunities:
- 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Contemplative Prayer
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Adult Formation Group--A group meets in the Pastor's study to share what's going on in our lives, reflect on the daily lectionary and how it intersects with our lives, and pray together. All are welcome.
- 8:00 a.m. Friday Lectionary Breakfast--A group meets at Cafe Cappuccino downtown with the pastor to talk about the upcoming Lectionary texts for Sunday and how they intersect with our lives. Lectionary Breakfast is for the entire church; all are welcome. For more information, contact the church office at dayspring@ourdayspring.org.
- Life Together Groups at DaySpring are ongoing relationships of usually 8-12 people who meet regularly for community formation, study, and prayer. New members join existing groups at the beginning of each fall and new groups form as people express interest. For more information, please contact amy@ourdayspring.org.
