Losing Faith · Contentment · Spiritual Practices 101
Want to Suggest a Question?
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, Richella, Nate, and James answer listener questions about losing faith, contentment, and where to start with spiritual practices.
Show Notes
[1:25] The three of you have been addressing questions/concerns from parents who are grieving at the waning faith of the children they so lovingly raised. I’m writing as the 22-year old son of two God-fearing parents. To put it try to put it concisely, here is my question: I barely know a life outside of church & a personal relationship with Jesus. All through high school and college I gave a lot of my life to serving ministries. But now that my faith is slipping away, I feel like not only a square peg in a round hole at church, but having lost a sense of mission/purpose, I also feel like a square peg in a round hole in the world. Losing faith has been doubly alienating. What advice do you have for someone who grew up in the church and is now losing faith? When I’m in a circle praying at Bible study, I ask myself, “what am I even doing here?” I want my conviction-driven life back, but I don’t know how.… and it’s just so hard.
[13:52] Paul says in Phil 4:12 – 13 that he has learned to be content through the strength of Christ. I lack contentment big time. I’ve looked for discussions of how to learn contentment but not found any that are not simplistic. Would you please speak to how one can learn contentment?
[28:17] I work with college students who are just beginning to become aware of their internal lives and engage in the spiritual rhythms. My question is: How do you begin to introduce spiritual practices to people who have little experience in engaging with their inner lives?
Resources
- Everything Happens for a Reason, by Kate Bowler
- A Spiritual Formation Workbook, by James Bryan Smith and Linda Graybeal
- Lyfe, resources from the British Bible Society
- Starting Your Spiritual Journey, Videos on the Streams by Joe Davis
- The Making of an Ordinary Saint, by Nathan Foster
Get Episodes Like This in Your Inbox
In our Friday newsletter with curated spiritual formation resources.
Thanks for subscribing! We'll send you a confirmation email.
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
During a career in commercial publishing, James worked with many of the authors most closely associated with Renovaré and he now chairs SPCK, the largest Christian publisher in the UK. After fourteen years leading the British Bible Society James also works with American Bible Society to support Christians in leadership around the world. He lives with his wife Sue in London.
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.