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Friends in Formation · Episode 14

Discipleship vs Formation · Transforming Thoughts · The Role of Rootedness

James Catford James Catford
Richella Parham Richella Parham
Nathan Foster Nathan Foster

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To submit a question for James, Richella, and Nate to consider discussing on Friends in Formation, email [email protected].

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Nate, James, and Richella answer listener questions about the difference between spiritual formation and discipleship, transforming negative thoughts, and virtual spiritual interactions and the role of rootedness.

Show Notes

[1:44] What is the difference between spiritual formation and discipleship?

[14:28] Dwight L Moody says ​“Character is what you are in the dark.” My early morning, just woken up thoughts, are often fearful, negative, and sometimes bitter. Once I focus on, say Psalm 23, The Lord’s prayer or some other quiet, spiritual reading or reflection I feel the bubbling bitterness leaving me, and as the day unfolds, I do pray, reflect, and ask Jesus to be with me in all parts of my day. I am worried, however, that the real me is to be found in those first angry thoughts. Can I reach a point where these thoughts don’t feature without suppressing them through gritted teeth?

[29:49] We are moving to more and more virtual spiritual interactions. But somehow I think God means us to be rooted in place, location, family, people. How should we as Image-Bearers handle this new challenge?

Resources

    Published on February 28, 2022
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    Nathan Foster
    About the Guest
    Nathan Foster

    Nathan Foster is an author and host of Life With God, a Renovaré Podcast. Formerly, he was an Associate Professor of social work and served as the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University. He was also a licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor. Nathan has published two books, including The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines.

    James Catford
    About the Hosts
    James Catford

    James Catford has spent his career at the intersection of publishing, leadership, and spiritual formation, working with many authors closely connected to Renovaré. He led the British Bible Society for fourteen years, founded the think tank Theos, and later chaired SPCK, the UK’s largest Christian publisher. He now serves as founding chair of the Center for Christianity and Public Life in Washington, D.C., and on the board of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is married to Sue, a former TV anchor and media executive.

    Richella Parham
    About the Hosts
    Richella Parham

    Richella is Chair of the Renovaré Board of Trustees. With a background in small business, education, and church leadership, Richella is a speaker and the author of Mythical Me (IVP) and A Spiritual Formation Primer. She is the mother of three young adult sons and lives with her husband Jack in Durham, North Carolina. Read her full bio and connect with Richella at richellajparham.com.

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