Biblical Answer

The Role of Christian Community in Spiritual Formation

Christian community plays a vital role in spiritual formation. According to the provided text, spiritual formation is not unique to Christianity, but it is a human thing. However, the Christian community has a distinctive aspect that sets it apart from other forms of community. The church or community proclaims the gospel, guides the neophyte into it, and supports, instructs, encourages, and edifies believers of all sorts and conditions. This community enables transformation because spiritual disciplines are as much caught as taught.

The Importance of Spiritual Community

Spiritual community is essential for spiritual formation because it forces us beyond reflection to action. When we become part of a spiritual community, a new identity manifests itself in a new outlook on life. This community is not just a group of people who share similar interests or beliefs, but it is a community that is guided by the gospel and the teachings of Jesus. The community enables believers to apprentice under Jesus and to gain a working grasp of spiritual formation. Furthermore, spiritual community is not just about individual spiritual growth, but it is also about being part of a community that is working together to serve and glorify God.

The Biblical Foundation of Spiritual Community

The Bible teaches us that spiritual community is not just a human construct, but it is a community that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus. In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples, saying, "I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me" (John 17:23). This verse highlights the importance of unity and community in the life of a believer. The Christian community is not just a group of individuals, but it is a community that is united in its love for God and for one another. This community is essential for spiritual formation because it provides a supportive and encouraging environment that enables believers to grow in their faith and to serve God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.