Introduction to Spiritual Formation

by John H. Coe

Publisher:

Biola University

Welcome to the Introduction to Spiritual Formation course! In this course you will learn what spiritual formation is and become familiar with how the Holy Spirit grows us. You will become familiar not only in terms of knowing the information, but also in your experience. You will learn from Dr. John Coe, Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola. Additionally, you will receive training in prayer so that you can experience what Dr. Coe teaches regarding the spiritual life.

This course consists of eight lessons. Each lesson consists of the following elements:

Introduction – Orients you to the lesson’s topic by providing a guiding question for you to ponder. Gives an overview of how the lesson will unfold.

Video Teaching – One or more videos of Dr. Coe presenting material concerning the lesson’s topic. A viewing guide will be provided to help you follow along.

Experiential Projects – One or more projects to help you experience what Dr. Coe taught. These projects will help you engage with the Spirit and your heart on a deeper level. Instructions for each project will be provided as they are assigned.

At the end of the course, you will receive a list of supplemental resources for further study.

We hope you are blessed by your participation in this course and that you experience God in a deeper way.

Key Features

• Teaches what spiritual formation is.
• Helps you engage with the Spirit and your heart on a deeper level.
• Experiences God in a deeper way.

Contents

• Lesson 1: Why Spiritual Formation?
• Lesson 2: How We are Tempted to Deal with Our Spiritual Failure
• Lesson 3: The Test for Moralism
• Lesson 4: Learning to Live in Jesus’ Yoke of Freedom
• Lesson 5: Why We Sin When We Know So Much
• Lesson 6: How is Your Heart Transformed?
• Lesson 7: Transformation by the Spirit through Praying from the Heart
• Lesson 8: Developing Rhythms of the Heart for the Sake of Love

About Biola

Biola University is a leading Christ-centered university in Southern California that offers a premier, nationally ranked education and has been named one of the nation's “up and coming” universities by U.S. News & World Report four times in five years. Founded in 1908, Biola is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service — equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 5,500 students at its Los Angeles-area campus and around the world, the university offers more than 150 academic programs through its nine schools, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D.

About John H. Coe

Dr. John Coe is a specialist in the philosophical and theological foundation of the integration of faith and learning. His research focuses on understanding the nature of spiritual and psychological health, the history of spirituality, the work of the Holy Spirit in personal change and the interface between psychology, spirituality and philosophy. A particular interest is in exploring approaches to spiritual direction as a complement to Christian psychotherapy. Coe is also the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University.