Defining Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Disciplines, and Spiritual Direction
BRINGING CLARITY TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRITUAL FORMATION, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTION, AND HOW ALL THREE ARE INTERCONNECTED IN OUR LIFE WITH GOD.
Spiritual formation. Spiritual direction. Spiritual disciplines.
These are terms we often use at CURATE, because we are, after all, a spiritual formation and soul care ministry. But we’ve been asked some version of these questions fairly often:
“So....what exactly is spiritual formation? And what’s spiritual direction? And what to you mean by spiritual practices and spiritual disciplines?”
Not only are we asked these questions, but we’ve also noticed that some folks use these terms interchangeably, because they are so very similar and are intertwined with one another when it comes to who we are becoming as people of faith. While related to one another, these three terms are distinct.
Language is important. It frames our thoughts and our conversations. We’ve noticed that shared language is required for pursuing a shared goal, so with that in mind, we’d like to clarify and define what each of these three terms mean, how they are distinct, and how they fit together in this grand story of life with Jesus.
Photo by Britney Strange via UnSplash.
Spiritual Formation
Defining spiritual formation first is important, because we really believe it acts as an umbrella for the other two. We’ve come across three helpful definitions from people that are far smarter than we are:
“Christian spiritual formation is the process of being transformed into the image of Christ, through a relationship of intimacy with God, by the power of the Spirit, in order to live a good and beautiful life of faith, hope, love, joy and peace- for the sake of the world.” (Adapted from James Bryan Smith in Evan B. Howard’s A Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation, p. 16)
“Spiritual transformation is the process by which Christ is formed in us …for the glory of God, for the abundance of our own lives, and for the sake of others (Galatians 4:19; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1, 2).” (Ruth Haley Barton, Spiritual Formation Primer, p. 1)
“The intentional and semi-intentional processes by which believers (individuals and communities) become more fully conformed and united to Christ, especially with regard to maturity in life and calling.” (Evan B. Howard, A Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation, p. 16)
While there is slight nuance in each of these definitions, all have the overarching theme of being transformed or conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
A favorite passage of scripture on our formation comes from Paul, who states in 2 Corinthians 3:18-19:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Another favorite is Romans 12:1-2:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
We are all being constantly formed into something, and we’re in an ongoing process of becoming. Whatever we behold shapes us. Spiritual formation in a Christian context is the intentional pursuit of being formed into the image of Christ over and against a multitude of competing options.
An important aspect to remember is that we can’t do this on our own.
If you take a look at 2 Corinthians 3:18 and and Romans 12:2, the act of transformation is in the passive tense, meaning that the transformation is being done to us. The Holy Spirit is the one transforming us into the likeness of Jesus, but we do have a part to play. Alan and Gem Falding helpfully reminded us in a recent episode of their Unhurried Living podcast that "we can’t force our own transformation, but we can help facilitate it” (can’t quite recall which episode I heard this...but they’re awesome and I recommend their podcast!).
And this is precisely where the spiritual disciplines come in!
Spiritual Disciplines
Returning to our umbrella analogy, underneath the larger umbrella of spiritual formation are spiritual disciplines. Other terms that are actually interchangeable with spiritual disciplines are “spiritual practices” or “spiritual rhythms.”
WHY THE WORD “DISCIPLINE”?
The word “discipline” itself is important because it reminds us that we don’t just engage in practices because we like the way they make us feel, but because we are in pursuit of a specific goal. We keep that goal in mind, even if we don’t feel like doing something or we don’t have warm fuzzies every time we do it. Much like learning piano or how to play a sport, showing up and doing the work is formative, allowing us to grow and mature. However, I also want to acknowledge that the word “discipline” can carry some baggage and conjure images of gritting our teeth and being bound by spiritual legalism.
But spiritual disciplines aren’t meant to be legalistic. We don’t earn righteousness or brownie points with God by doing them; they are meant to help us focus on Christ: who He is, what he’s done for us, and the work of the Holy Spirit within us. They are meant to be joyous, delightful experiences, even if they require work and intention.
DISCIPLINES AS THE “HOW” OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION
With the hope and goal of becoming Christlike in mind, the next question we ask is “how?” How do we facilitate that growth towards Christ?
A spiritual discipline is any intentional practice done with the goal of cultivating attentiveness to God and what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and around us.
Scripture affirms that it is the Holy Spirit transforming us, and we can either choose to cooperate or resist. Through the lens 2 Corinthians 3 mentioned above, we see disciplines as ways to help us to behold Christ and keep Him as the object of our love and worship. Spiritual disciplines are our part in the cooperative process, alongside the Holy Spirit, of spiritual formation.
Just how many spiritual practices are there? 22. Just kidding--there are pretty much an infinite number of practices that can help us cultivate attentiveness to God. Scripture reading, prayer, corporate worship, and community are a few that may be most familiar.
Richard Foster highlights 12 in his classic book Celebration of Discipline, and Dallas Willard’s Spirit of the Disciplines discusses 15. Adele Calhoun created a wonderful guide called the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (we’ve mentioned this book a lot, because it’s great!) that has short chapters on 75 different disciplines. None of these resources are comprehensive, but they highlight tried and true, often historic or classic spiritual disciplines.
Really, anything that you do to help you fix your eyes on beholding Christ can be considered a discipline. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not the practices that are important, but the outcome, which is our transformation into the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Direction
The final term we want to highlight is spiritual direction, which is itself a spiritual discipline or practice.
Our definition of spiritual direction is a relationship of discerning God's movement and listening to His voice alongside another, growing in attentiveness and awareness of God in all of life (from the mundane to the mysterious), and creating space to name and respond to the Holy Spirit's invitations.
Spiritual direction is most often a one-on-one or group setting in which a spiritual director listens to you and helps you to notice what’s happening in your relationship with God.
As a directee, you may share your experiences, struggles, doubts, hopes, and questions around your life with God. As a spiritual director, I listen to the Holy Spirit alongside and on behalf of another. This relationship is distinct from counseling and mentoring (check out our blog post with more details on how spiritual direction is different from other caring relationships). It’s not even me who is really directing anything -- the Holy Spirit is the true Director.
If you’re interested on more specific information on spiritual direction, click here.
Both spiritual disciplines and spiritual direction fit under the umbrella of spiritual formation. There’s also a reciprocal relationship between the two. Spiritual directors are familiar with and trained in the disciplines, and they may suggest and guide others in a broad range of spiritual practices that might be fitting for a particular season. But spiritual direction is also a discipline in and of itself. Choosing to meet with a spiritual director on a regular basis to process your life with God is a practice that can help you grow closer to Christ.
To sum it all up nicely in one sentence: Spiritual formation is the process of being formed into the image of Christ, and spiritual disciplines are ways that help us in that formation process, of which spiritual direction is one specific practice.
Hopefully that helps! Feel free to comment with any responses or questions.