Spiritual Formation Groups

SPIRITUAL FORMATION GROUPS

RENOVARÉ Spiritual Formation Groups are small fellowships that exist for mutual support, mutual encouragement, and mutual accountability as we participate in our transformation into Christ-likeness. Drawing their format from small group models that span the centuries—from the Benedictines in the 4th Century to Methodism in the 17th Century to Alcoholics Anonymous in the 20th Century—participants in these gatherings of between two and seven people ask one another in various forms the old question, "How is it with your soul?" And this is how members of these groups help one another in their life for Christ.

After covenanting to confidentiality and to become better disciples of Jesus Christ, participants use an Order of Meeting as a format for gathering from week-to-week. The Order contains Common Disciplines and Questions of Examen based on the six RENOVARÉ Traditions, reminders of and prompters for reflection in our desire to grow into a balanced life with God.

At some point during each meeting individuals make plans for how they intend to partner with God in the growth of their souls before the next meeting. Example exercises include making a one-day retreat (focusing on growth in the Contemplative Tradition) or reading a book of the Bible (growing in the Evangelical Tradition). At the next meeting Formation Group members ask one another how their plans went by using the Questions of Examen. The end of each meeting includes sharing prayer requests and saying together The Lord's Prayer.

While using the Order of Meeting creates a habitat for growth into godliness, it is best that a group use only those parts that are helpful rather than legalistically following a format and not achieving good results. However, the core components—balance, encouragement, accountability, and intention—should not be neglected. We need all of these and more if we are to partner with God in our growth into the image of Christ.

To learn more about Spiritual Formation Groups and the Order of Meeting you can watch a brief slide show. For a beginning workbook that provides guidelines for starting a group, study plans for the first nine sessions, and a questionnaire that maps the way ahead, purchase A Spiritual Formation Workbook by James Bryan Smith.