By Pastor Leo Benjamin, MyFaithNews
RUTLAND, VT — On Saturday, June 13, beginning at 2:00 PM at Holy Name Chapel in Rutland, The Franciscan Way will gather to explore a subject that sits at the very heart of the Christian life: the importance of discipleship through spiritual formation.
In a world filled with information, opinions, and endless distractions, many Christians know more about Jesus than ever before. We can access sermons, podcasts, Bible studies, and Christian content with the touch of a screen. Yet a critical question remains:
Is Christ actually being formed in us?
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19)
Notice that Paul’s concern was not simply that believers knew about Jesus. His concern was that the life, character, and nature of Jesus would be formed within them.
That is the goal of discipleship.
Everyone Is Being Formed by Something
Whether we realize it or not, every person is being shaped every day.
- Our habits shape us.
- Our relationships shape us.
- The media we consume shapes us.
- Our fears shape us.
- Our ambitions shape us.
Even our wounds can shape us if we allow them to become our identity.
The question is not whether we are being formed. The question is, what is forming us?
Paul understood this when he wrote:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Everyone is being conformed to something. The world seeks to shape us into its image, while Christ seeks to transform us into His image.
From the beginning, God has been a God who forms people. Genesis tells us:
“Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground.” (Genesis 2:7)
The Christian life is the continuation of that divine work. God is still forming people today.
The Example of Jesus and the Disciples
Jesus did not simply gather students to teach lessons. He called disciples to follow Him.
For three years, they watched Him pray, serve, forgive, obey, and love. They learned not only from His words but from His life.
Luke tells us:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
Even Jesus embraced a process of growth and preparation in His humanity.
The disciples themselves reveal the power of formation. Peter began as an impulsive fisherman who often spoke before he thought. Yet after years of walking with Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, he became a courageous leader of the early Church.
What changed Peter was not information alone.
It was formation.
The Habits That Shape a Disciple
Formation does not happen by accident.
Healthy spiritual habits create space for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
- Prayer teaches dependence upon God.
- Scripture renews our minds.
- Silence helps us hear God’s voice above the noise of the world.
- Fasting teaches self-control.
- Worship redirects our attention toward God.
- Serving others develops humility and compassion.
Psalm 1 describes the person who meditates on God’s Word day and night as a tree planted by streams of water, continually nourished and fruitful. Spiritual habits position us where God’s transforming grace can shape our lives.
These practices do not earn God’s love. Rather, they help us cooperate with His work within us.
The Franciscan Path of Formation
The Franciscan tradition has long emphasized three spiritual attributes that help form believers into the likeness of Christ: spiritual poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Spiritual Poverty
Jesus began the Beatitudes by saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
Spiritual poverty is the recognition that we need God.
The world celebrates self-sufficiency. The Kingdom teaches dependence.
A powerful example is found in the tax collector who prayed:
“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)
Jesus said this humble man went home justified before God. Spiritual poverty opens the heart to grace.
Chastity
Chastity is often misunderstood as merely sexual purity. In the Christian tradition, it means rightly ordered love.
Jesus taught:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
A chaste heart loves God first and allows every other relationship and desire to find its proper place under His Lordship.
Mary of Bethany demonstrates this beautifully. While others were distracted by many concerns, she sat at the feet of Jesus, choosing the one thing necessary (Luke 10:38-42).
Obedience
Jesus modeled perfect obedience.
“I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38)
His obedience reached its fullest expression in Gethsemane when He prayed:
“Not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Obedience forms trust. It teaches us to rely upon God’s wisdom rather than our own understanding.
Every act of surrender shapes the heart of a disciple.
Why Formation Matters Today
The Church does not need more information alone.
The Church needs transformation.
Many people know Scripture yet remain shaped by fear, anger, consumerism, politics, or personal wounds. Knowledge by itself cannot transform the heart.
The Pharisees knew the Scriptures, yet many failed to recognize the Messiah standing before them.
Information can fill the mind.
Formation changes the person.
Paul writes:
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29)
This is God’s purpose for every believer.
Not simply church attendance.
Not merely biblical knowledge.
But conformity to Christ.
The world does not simply need more Christians who know about Jesus.
The world needs Christians in whom Jesus is visibly alive.
Join the Conversation
The Franciscan Way gathering on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM at Holy Name Chapel in Rutland will explore these themes of discipleship, spiritual formation, and what it means to become a person in whom Christ is truly being formed.
Whether you are new to the faith, a longtime believer, or hungry for a deeper walk with God, this conversation offers an opportunity to examine the forces shaping your life and to rediscover the transforming call of Jesus.
Because discipleship is more than learning about Christ.
It is allowing Christ to shape every part of who we are.
“Until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19)
To learn more about the Franciscan Way: The Franciscan Way – CCOVT
The author is the pastor of the Church of the Crucified One in Moretown, Vermont, and the publisher of MyFaithNews.
