Spiritual Formation FAQs
Vision and Strategy
What is Spiritual Formation?
Some people call it “discipleship” or “sanctification,” but at Journey we prefer the term Spiritual Formation. Scriptures like Romans 12:2 remind us that we are always being formed—either to look more like the world or more like Christ. We need God’s help to become like Him, but we also have a part to play.
At Journey, our aim is to help you behold God (2 Corinthians 3:18), become whole (Matthew 22:37), and belong together (Romans 15:1–7). Spiritual Formation is the lifelong journey of being shaped by the Spirit into the image of the Son, to the glory of the Father, as we become both more holy and more whole.
Why change our strategy away from groups that meet in homes?
We believe that shifting to this new strategy will help us better – in the long-term – to ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry’ (Ephesians 4:12). Though we still value home-based hospitality, we are moving towards greater intention in our call to ‘equip’ by changing the location and structure of groups.
What role does community play in these programs?
Community is still essential to our strategy of Spiritual Formation here at Journey. In both the Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, and in our Formation Classes, community plays an important role in our structure. For each program, groups will gather weekly to discuss the curriculum and the way it applies to our lives. Groups who have been in community together are welcome to join as a group, or if you would like us to find a group for you, we will randomly assign a group to you.
If I want to learn more about the strategy we are taking, where can I go?
Please reach out to Pastor Nathan ([email protected]) and he is happy to answer any questions you may have.
Program Structure & Logistics
When will Bible Study meet?
Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies will meet on Sundays for 10 weeks from 11:00AM-12:30PM beginning September 7th and concluding for the semester on November 9th, 2025.
Bible Studies will resume for ‘part 2’ of the Acts series on Sunday January 4 – March 8, 2026.
Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies will then take a break until September 13, 2026 to allow for Sunday morning Formation Classes to meet.
When will the Formation Classes meet?
Formation Classes will meet on Wednesdays for 10 weeks from 6:30-8:30PM beginning September 10 and concluding for the semester on November 12. ‘Christian Belief’ will be the Formation Class offered.
Formation Classes will resume with ‘Christian Story’ on Wednesday, January 7 – March 11, 2026.
‘Christian Self’ will begin Wednesday, April 1 and conclude on June 3.
‘Christian Worldview’ will begin Wednesday, June 24 and conclude on August 26.
Note: to make our Formation Classes more accessible, we will make our ‘Christian Belief’ and ‘Christian Story’ classes available in 2026 on Sundays from 11:00AM-12:30PM from March 29 – May 31 and June 21 – August 23, respectively.
Where will we physically meet?
Women’s Bible Study will meet in the sanctuary around ‘clusters’ of chairs. Men’s Bible Study will meet in the ‘Student Center’ around tables.
Formation Classes will meet in the Student Center around tables.
What will it look like when we gather? What will the structure be like?
For Men’s and Women’s Bible Study:
11:00-11:50AM – Small Group Discussion
11:50-12:30PM – Large Group Teaching
Formation Classes:
6:30-6:45 – Small Group Discussion
6:45-7:15 – Large Group Teaching
7:15-7:45 – Small Group Discussion
7:45-8:30 – Large Group Teaching
What if the Bible Study or Class time doesn’t work for me?
Though we would love everyone to participate in everything, we know that we are limited as people. All of us will need to choose what the Lord is leading us to participate in for this season, and wait to participate in the other things that we want to do at a later time.
We will offer our Christian Belief and Christian Story classes again on Sundays beginning in March of 2026, and then we will offer these classes again on Wednesdays in September of 2026.
If you aren’t able to participate in a Bible Study because you are volunteering, please reach out to Pastor Nathan Campbell by email, and he will offer a special option for volunteers that will allow you to still participate.
Participation & Eligibility
Is this a class for new Christians, or for seasoned Christians?
These offerings are designed to be accessible and meaningful for both new believers and longtime followers of Jesus. Our goal is to teach at an ‘8th grade reading level’ to make these offerings accessible. And, by slowly approaching these topics over the course of multiple semesters, it allows everyone to learn something new and apply it to their lives.
Can I participate with my friends?
Absolutely! When you register, simply list the friends you would like to be with for small group discussion and we will do our best to place you together – in groups of 7 around a small table. If you want to participate with more than 7 people, consider what it would look like for your group to keep in touch before or after classes, or by visiting together occasionally outside of church to maintain conversation.
Curriculum & Content
Do I need to take the Formation Classes in order?
Ideally, we want participants to start with Christian Belief and Christian Story before moving on to Christian Self and Christian Worldview. We believe that having a foundation of who God is is essential before trying to build out who we are and who are neighbors are. Though we may make an occasional exception, we will reserve the Christian Self and Christian Worldview classes for those who have already completed both Christian Belief and Christian Story. This sequence is intentional, but not meant to be restrictive—we want everyone to feel welcome to start the journey of Spiritual Formation at Journey Church.
Scheduling Conflicts & Flexibility
What if I miss a week?
Though we think each week of Bible Study and the Formation Classes are important, we understand that people have to miss class from time to time. Participants will have access to the whole semester’s curriculum at the start of the semester, and can keep up (or plan in advance) for weeks that they may have to miss. And, when a participant misses a class, they can catch up by listening to that week’s teaching audio which will be made available.
Financial Questions
Why are we charging a fee to participate in these programs?
Though we would love to offer these courses to everyone for free, there are actual costs associated with printing materials, purchasing supplies, and offering scholarships that lead us to charge a registration fee to participate.
If the $40 cost per semester represents a substantial burden to the point where you cannot participate, we have made scholarships readily available, just reach out to us by email and we would be happy to help.
Childcare
Will there be childcare provided?
Sunday classes include free Journey Kids programming.
Wednesday childcare (Birth–5th) is $100 per child per semester.
If the $100 cost per semester for childcare represents a substantial burden to the point where you cannot participate, we have made scholarships readily available. Just reach out to us by email and we would be happy to help.
Bible Study Specifics
Do the Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies teach the same things?
Yes, our Men’s and Women’s Bible Study use the same curriculum for personal homework, and small group discussion. Only the teaching in Men’s and Women’s Bible Study is different. Our teachers will still teach through and to the homework and the passage participants studied during the week, but they will also emphasize and and will also apply the text to the men or women gathered together.
In addition, our Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies will have tables set-aside for High School students to participate. Middle School students will go with Pastor Denton during the Sunday, 11:00-12:30PM for unique Middle School programming.