Spiritual Formation
We believe that God can use any circumstance of our lives to help us become more Christlike. We also believe we can (and should!) take intentional opportunities to be attentive to the work the Holy Spirit is doing in us. These spiritual formation opportunities are some ways we hope Biola students can enter into that process.
Why is This Important?
"Everyone receives spiritual formation, just as everyone gets an education. The only question is whether it is a good one or a bad one. We need to take a conscious, intentional hand in the developmental process. We need to understand what the formation of the human spirit is, and how it can best be done as Christ would have it done...
"The reason for the recent abrupt emergence of the terminology into religious life is, I believe, a growing suspicion or realization that we have not done well with the reality and the need. We have counted on preaching, teaching, and knowledge or information to form faith in the hearer, and have counted on faith to form the inner life and outward behavior of the Christian. But, for whatever reason, this strategy has not turned out well. The result is that we have multitudes of professing Christians who well may be ready to die, but obviously are not ready to live, and can hardly get along with themselves, much less with others." -Dallas Willard, The Great Omission, 2006.
Fives Chapels
What Is It?
"Fives" (named for its time, 5 p.m. every Tuesday) is a more intimate chapel setting where we practice and model the daily rhythms of prayer together. At Fives, students are led in quiet prayer, reflection, confession, praise, and meditation on scripture. It is a place to come and gather yourself before God, to listen to his voice, and to present your own heart's concerns to Him.
How Do I Get Involved?
Come and join us. Calvary Chapel, Tuesdays, 5:00-5:45 p.m.
Sabbathing
What Is It?
In "Sabbathing," we offer students a chance to experience what we all rarely get: a large block of time to be with God--speaking with Him, listening for Him, and resting in Him. Held on the occasional Saturday morning, Sabbathing is divided into three parts: 1) an introduction to spending time alone with God, 2) 90 minutes of quiet time with Him, 3) and a time of debriefing with others, led by a trained facilitator. Three chapel credits are given for each Saturday. Come and see for yourself how God wants to meet you.
How Do I Get Involved?
Come and join us; it's worth getting up early on a Saturday. Calvary Chapel from 9 a.m. to noon. Dates announced here.
Spiritual Direction
What Is It?
“As we have come to understand it, spiritual direction differs from moral guidance, psychological counseling, and the practice of confessional, preaching, or healing ministries (though having affinities with them) in that it directly assists individuals in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God.” -William A. Barry & William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction.
How Do I Get Involved?
Stop by the Institute for Spiritual Formation (located at Grove 1, near the Tennis Courts) and pick up an application at the front desk. Spiritual Direction is free for Biola undergraduates.
