My basic method for teaching spiritual formation and transformation is this.
1. Assumption: God is the agent of
personal/spiritual transformation.
2. Point People to God's Presence. Lecturing to people or assigning books to
read won't transform the human heart. But God can. Therefore, I assign people
to pray. I point people to the presence of the One who does the
transforming.
3. Have Students Share with Others What God Is Doing In Them. Transformation has a corporate
dimension. This is realized as we return from our solitary prayer times with
God and share with others what God has spoken to us. Here we arrive at the
center of biblical koinonia ("fellowship") which is,
literally, sharing what we have in common; viz., Christ in me, the hope of
glory.
The method God has given me to facilitate this is:
Give people Psalm 23 and send them out to pray for an hour. Or sometimes I send
them out to pray for 30 minutes. For pastors, I use 60 minutes; for non-pastors, I use 30 minutes.
Below is the paper I give them. I read the instructions aloud.
I use this document when teaching seminary classes, and doing spiritual
formation retreats for churches.
WARNING: If you are a pastor who wants to do this kind of thing with your
people you must be engaging in it yourself.
***
60 MINUTES with Psalm 23 and God
John
Piippo, PhD
Go alone to a quiet place to meet with God. When I dismiss
you go quietly – don’t talk with anyone.
Don’t take anything with you except for this piece of paper.
Leave your cell phone in the room.
When
you find your quiet place stay there for 60 minutes.
During
this time keep a spiritual
journal. A spiritual journal is a record of God’s voice and activity in your
life. When God speaks to you about you, write it down.
Use
Psalm 23 for your meditation. Biblically, to meditate is to ponder something.
Meditation is repetitive. Your purpose is not to exegete Psalm 23.
Instead, be exegeted yourself by the Holy
Spirit.
If your mind wanders, write down where it wanders to.
After the half hour, return to our
meeting place.
PSALM
23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not [want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
NKJV