Site Title

Welcome to WordPress! This is your first post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey.

Introduction

The purpose of this discussion is to highlight two spiritual formation concepts that I have decided to incorporate in my own walk of faith. In addition to that, I will also include a brief plan of action for implementing the two concepts. Finally, some advice to new seminary students will be provided directing them on how to grow their faith as they go through their academic program.

In the first place, it’s important to know the definition of spiritual formation. The Bible provides the best example of meaning of the of this term when Moses spoke to Joshua and said “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Josh. 1:8).  According to   Stephen D, Low and Mary E. Lowe, stated that: “This text practically defines the devotional approach in its entirety. Devotional study must be regular (“day and night”), reflective (“meditate on it”), retentive (“be careful to do everything written in it”) and regulated (“do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth.

I have identified two Spiritual formation concepts that I will incorporate in my own walk of faith. Firstly, I like to practice meditation daily in order to grow my faith. “Meditation is presented in Scripture as an act of worship, one that involves communion with God. Instead of being an avenue of escape wherein the individual is swallowed up, absorbed, or mingled with the divine in some sort of unspecified mystical process, as it so frequently is taught in many Eastern religions or some of the modern Western cults, meditation in Scripture can be carefully defined as to its objects, its methods of practice, and its results^”1. This process must be a part of my life and to practice it throughout my life. The Bible demands it, as there is more to learn and to experience God through meditation.

Secondly, I have chosen prayer as a viable tool for me to strengthen my walk of faith. There are many references in the Bible regarding prayer.  The main purpose for prayer is to communicate to God. Through prayer I can go confidently to my God and present myself without fear for the Bible says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Furthermore, the Bible says, “ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15. Finally, the Bible also says, ^” And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:17-18. God is loving and He’s faithful to his promises. He answers prayers. Prayer helps a believer to approach God knowing that He will hear and grant our requests according to his will.

Plan of Action to Implement the two Spiritual Concepts:

In this section of the blog, I will document my plan of action to follow in developing my walk of faith through meditation and prayer. This is a lifetime commitment, and I pray that God through the employment of Holy Spirit will help me execute the plan in its entirety.

The Plan

1. I will meditate on God’s word daily focusing on the scripture and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide me through.
2. I will pray every day and be always in a mood for prayer everywhere and all the time
3. I will encourage my family through love to live and devout themselves to the word of God
4. I will continue to find opportunities to serve in my church.
5. I have a journal book that I list my prayer requests and will continue to use it. After a while, I look back the journal, and I am surprised of what God did in answering my prayer requests. He always does more than what I asked for!
6. I will continue to read my Bible daily.
7. I will look for opportunities to share my faith in Christ.
8. I will memorize verses from the Bible an also mark interesting verses that I come across

9. I will pray for others in the ministry and those in places of difficulty.

10. I will praise God, offer sacrifices of thanksgiving.

11.   I will continue to read and study the word of God on daily basis.

12. I will continue to update this plan action to add new ideas whenever the Holy Spirit gives me guidance

Piece of Advice to new Seminary Student

In this section, I would like to provide a word of advice to new seminary students to help them with their growth in faith while pursuing their academic work. Welcome to seminary education. Within a week you will be faced with a lot of work, such as reading of several chapters, write 1000-word essays, using formats you are probably not familiar to, and if online you face challenges learning how to use the system to respond to your professors and many other surprises. My advice is very brief, pray and keep on cracking. Others have done it before, and you too will come through it.  You have to learn how to manage your time properly, it’s critical you find a good electronic calendar that you will utilize to track your upcoming activities.

 I also encourage you to keep on growing your faith. The academic work may appear to consume all available time, such that you have no time for your devotional activities. It’s important you do not neglect that part of your development as a believer.  According to H. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest, they put it very well when they said, “Commit to the Lord your heart, your life, your time, and your discipline. Spend your mornings cultivating a love relationship with him. Reflect on his goodness, his grandeur, and his glory! Spend the first fruits of your days committing your ways to him, meditating on his Word, and praying it back to him”. If you keep God as the center of your world all will be well with you.

_____________________________________

Foot Notes

[¹]  Stephen D. Lowe  Mary E. Lowe. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education Paperback – June 19, 2018

Bibliography

H. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook Copyright 2017 Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

Stephen D Lowe & Mary E Lowe. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education Paperback – June 19, 2018