Creating a Spiritual Formation Model at Shadowbrook Church

Abstract

ABSTRACTCREATING A SPIRITUAL FORMATION MODEL AT SHADOWBROOK CHURCH IN SUWANEE, GEORGIA Jerrod Paul Rumley, DEdMin The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020 Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Timothy K. Beougher Chapter 1 introduces the project and outlines its goals. This chapter also gives rationale for the project and reveals essential information on the background and demographics of Shadowbrook Church. Chapter 1 shows the need to create a spiritual formation model that will help in transformation within a life group leader’s personal life. Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological support for spiritual formation and helps the reader understand how transformation occurs in the Bible. This chapter looks to writings from Moses, Paul, and James to see clearly how transformation is an inside out work that begins at the heart, continues to the mind, and finished with one’s personal will. Chapter 3 reviews literature on spiritual formation and indicates what obstacles and assets exist in the spiritual formation process. The chapter shows what elements encourage personal change from the literature review and argues for certain essential disciplines. Chapter 4 explains the project essentials and reviews the results of the spiritual formation course taught at Shadowbrook Church. The chapter includes the spiritual formation survey used, a teaching schedule and curriculum that was reviewed by an expert panel, and clarifies the subtle nuances of the project. Chapter 5 looks at the results of the pre- and post-survey to statistically evaluate how much change occurred in the life group leader’s mind. The project will hopefully be a trusted equipping opportunity for the life group leaders and further discipleship and sanctification at Shadowbrook Church.