Streams · Fasting · Spiritual Conversations with Adult Children

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Show Notes

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Nate, Richella, and James answer listener questions about which Christian Stream ​“gives the most bang for the buck,” how to discern when to fast (or practice any spiritual discipline), and how to have spiritual conversations with kids who are grown.

[2:32] Of the Six Streams, which is the best one to sit in that gives the most bang for the buck in the journey of Christian spiritual formation?

[19:24] I struggle a lot in my day-to-day life with decision fatigue, second-guessing myself, and fears about not being ​“good enough.” This past school term, I developed a very beneficial rhythm of weekly fasting and found the practice deeply helpful. However, now that I’m on my summer schedule that old rhythm no longer works well and I haven’t fasted consistently. Whenever it’s been a while since I’ve fasted, I start thinking about it frequently, even every day or every meal and fretting about whether it’s a good time or not…. Are there some stabilizing questions or thoughts that I can come back to when I start to debate fasting? What are valid vs. invalid reasons not to fast, be it in the moment or for a season? 

[37:50] What are some suggestions in talking to adult children about spiritual matters?

• Richard Foster, Streams of Living Water

• Series on the Cycle of Grace from Upper Room Ministries

• Trevor Hudson and Jerry Haas, The Cycle of Grace: Living in Sacred Balance