LIFE STREAMS – A Spiritual Formation Workbook

SPIRITUAL FORMATION
GROUP

Order of Meeting

Opening words

After a few moments of silence, the leader for the week reads the following
Opening Words aloud.

Welcome to the Spiritual Formation Group. May God’s Holy Spirit bless us, and

We gather together with one aim – to become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
We do this by encouraging one another to keep Jesus’ word, which, as he said,
is what we naturally do when we love him (John 14.23–24). Through the grace
of mutual accountability, we strive to inspire one another to love and good
works.

can we feel free to share honestly. This is how we help each other.

Covenant

As a group, read the Covenant aloud and in unison.

In utter dependence upon Jesus Christ as my ever-living Saviour, Teacher, Lord

and Friend, I will seek continual renewal through spiritual exercises, spiritual
gifts, and acts of service.

Common disciplines

Beginning with the leader, take turns reading the six Common Disciplines
aloud:
80

session 9.indd 80 16/04/2010 15:18:17

 ORDER OF MEETING

By God’s grace, I will set aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and
spiritual reading and will seek to practise the presence of God.

By God’s grace, I will strive mightily against sin and will do deeds of love and
mercy.

By God’s grace, I will welcome the Holy Spirit, exercising the gifts and nurturing
the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit.

By God’s grace, I will endeavour to serve others everywhere I can and will work
for justice in all human relationships and social structures.

By God’s grace, I will share my faith with others as God leads and will study
the Scriptures regularly.

By God’s grace, I will joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that
I am, in all that I do, in all that I say.

If you wish to include a suitable Bible passage then do so here. Relate this to
the Questions of the Heart that follow. Alternatively include a short passage
from a classic Christian spiritual book on the same themes, or simply move
straight on to the next section.

Questions of the heart

Beginning with the leader, each member shares experiences from the previous
week. The following may help focus the discussion. Answer at least the
question in each set.

In what ways has God made his presence known to you since our last
meeting? What experiences of prayer, meditation and spiritual reading has

joys and delights?

What temptations have you faced since we met? How did you respond? Which
disciplines has God used to lead you further into holiness of heart and life?

What spiritual gifts has He enabled you to exercise? What was the outcome?
81

session 9.indd 81 16/04/2010 15:18:17

 LIFE STREAMS – A Spiritual Formation Workbook

What fruit of the Spirit would you like to see increase in your life? Which
disciplines might be useful in the effort?

What opportunities has God given you to serve others since our last meeting?
How did you respond? Have you encountered any injustice to, or oppression
of, others? Have you been able to work for justice or shalom?

Has God provided an opportunity for you to share your faith since we met?
How did you respond? In what ways have you encountered Christ in your
reading of the Scriptures? How has the Bible shaped the way you think and
live?

In what ways have you been able to manifest the presence of God through
your daily work since our last meeting? How has God fed and strengthened
you through the ministry of word and sacrament?

Looking ahead

Beginning with the leader, allow time for each member to share his or her
plans for the coming week. These questions may be used as guidelines.
Writing these commitments down will help you remember what others are
doing and give you a chance to pray for them.

exercise or exercises would you like to try?

After each person has had a chance to share, the leader asks if anyone has

Members can make notes of these so that they can pray for them during the
week ahead. The leader also invites someone to lead the group in prayer for
these concerns.

The Lord’s Prayer

Finish by saying this (or another) version of the Lord’s Prayer aloud, possibly
joining hands.

Our Father, who art in heaven

hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
82

session 9.indd 82 16/04/2010 15:18:17

 ORDER OF MEETING

on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen

Closing words

After the Lord’s Prayer, the leader ends the meeting by reading the following
Closing Words aloud and then asking for a volunteer to lead the next meeting.

should remain so. May the love, peace, and power of God be with us during
this week.

83

session 9.indd 83 16/04/2010 15:18:17