We’d like to approach faith formation, learning and experiencing the Christian Way, as vacation for the soul. While it may take a little effort and will take some time, faith formation is a break from the cares and worries of our daily chores and work.
Think of it like a swim in a lake. It might be cold at first, but soon it’s bracing and energizing.
Dive into the Daily Office
This practice of saying or reading of structured prayers and Bible selections at different times of day and throughout the year can be easily done by just following given texts.
The Daily Office <http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html> a computer ministry offering structured Morning and Evening Prayer.
The Daily Office West <http://dailyoffice.wordpress.com/> a computer ministry offering structured Morning and Evening Prayer timed for the Western Hemisphere
Divineoffice.org A Roman Catholic structured office with for all the hours.
Leap into Lectio Divina
The practice of prayerful reading of texts, can be done with just a little practice and dedication.
Lectio Divina <http://www.osb.org/lectio/about.html> the Order of St. Benedict offers instructions and readings useful for the practice.
Lectio Divina <http://www.fisheaters.com/lectiodivina.html> a Roman Catholic site provides a good outline of the steps involved.
Accepting the Embrace of God: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina <http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html> a good survey by a Benedictine of the history and practice with some useful instructions for individuals or groups.
Plunge into planning:
Using these links to websites about Spiritual Formation, you can follow more advance programs for yourself or along with others.
Discipleship Tools <http://www.discipleshiptools.org/>. This site offers a well-detailed curriculum from a “Reformed, Conservative and passionate Evangelical” perspective. The free materials offer short summaries about a wide variety of subjects related to discipleship (such as prayer, fellowship, Christian living, evangelism), followed by useful questions for further thought. Lessons are often closely tied to Bible verses.
Faith Formation Learning Exchange <http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/adults.html> Put together by the largely Lutheran Vibrant Faith ministries, the website offers lots of materials on formation, including articles, annotations of books, podcasts, and serious research.
Last Revised: 2021 March 6
URL: http://therev.brianpavlac.org/formingfaith