Welcome to A Well-Worn Path, the Spiritual Habits Course! I’m excited for us to begin exploring 5 core spiritual formation practices that will help you build a sustainable faith.
This Study is “journal-based,” meaning you are doing it at your own pace, savoring what God is speaking to you by makes in your journal throughout your journey. One Session per week is the suggested pace. Download bonus eBooks + materials here under “Bonus Downloads.” If you just purchased, your receipt is in your inbox (Wild Pear will be the logo on it). Email danwiltresources@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Let’s get started!
Dan +
Dr. Dan Wilt
Welcome
An Introduction
This video provides a brief welcome from Dan to this unique, journal-based on-demand study in spiritual formation. Watch this video before beginning the weekly sessions below, and make sure to get a nice journal and pen that you will enjoy writing in.
Invite family and friends to pray for you, and get ready for discovery!
Session 1
About This Week
Each “About This Week” video introduces you to the practice you will do after you watch the lecture below and the big idea videos for the week. Today’s weekly introductory video will orient you to starting our first session, with a practice that is sure to stimulate this season of growing union with Jesus.
Session 1 | Lecture
Introduction To Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation is an intentional path of spiritual development – built on habits and practices that form us over a lifetime. Find a quiet place, take out your journal, and write and reflect freely during the teaching. Each reflection session is approx. 15-30 minutes long, so take a few minutes to sit with your notes after each, reflecting on what you’ve written.
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Session 1 | Bonus
Big Ideas in Spiritual Formation
In the first video, we look at the importance of prioritizing an inner life of substance over an outer life of activity, with a metaphor from the world of astrophysics.
In the second video, we look at a passage from C.S. Lewis that will help us understand the importance of beginning each day winning the battle of the voices.
Session 2
About This Week
Session 2 | Lecture
The Daily Examen & Lectio Divina
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Session 2 | Bonus
Big Ideas in Spiritual Formation
In this first video, we read an excerpt from Ignatius of Loyola (creator of the Daily Examen) on the two important ideas of consolation and desolation.
In the second video, the voice of Madame Guyon teaches us how we can pray the Scriptures, offering key word pictures that will help pray more deeply through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Session 3
About This Week
Today’s weekly introductory video provides an overview of what this week is about, as well as the practices you can begin to do after you watch the Session 3 video teaching below.
Optional Readings: Click here to get the book, Devotional Classics. Read writings from Evelyn Underhill, Catherine of Genoa, and G.K. Chesterton.
Session 3 | Lecture
Silence, Stillness, Solitude, & Sabbath
Silence, Stillness, and Solitude are postures of the spirit moving through life. The Sabbath is a principle of rest woven into the fabric of creation. In this session, we’ll practice the first three postures, and then reflect on what Sabbath rest means to the disciple.
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Session 3 | Bonus
Big Ideas in Spiritual Formation
In this first video, Dan talks about what it takes to maintain a sustainable faith over a lifetime.
In the second video, Dan considers the importance of living “fully alive” before God, engaging the words of early church father Irenaeus of Lyons.
Session 4
About This Week
Optional Readings: Click here to get the book, Devotional Classics. Read writings from Annie Dillard, Kathleen Norris, and Brother Lawrence.
Session 4 | Lecture
A Rule (Way) Of Life
A Rule (Way) of Life is an intentional, written way of doing life that affirms who we are, our life story, and the values and patterns that will keep us on God’s track for our lives. In this session, we’ll discuss some of the helpful elements of a Rule (Way) of Life, and you’ll be given a framework for creating your own.
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Session 4 | Bonus
Big Ideas in Spiritual Formation
In this first video, we look at the “four degrees of love,” a concept from Bernard of Clairvaux – a concept that will help us toward our goal of living in union with Christ.
In the second video, we reflect on calling, and what it means to be called by our name, rather than by our role or giftings, over a lifetime.
Session 5
About This Week
Today’s final week video provides an overview that will help you bring all your learning and growth together as we move toward the end of this phase of your growth.
Watch the Session 5 lecture video below, which is a blessing from me to you as you go from this season of study, and take in the big idea videos to gain some fresh context for moving with the Spirit into this next phase of your life.
Session 5 | Lecture
A Formation Blessing
A blessing is in order after all this reflection! In this final video, I’d like to give a word of encouragement, and offer a prayer of blessing, as you seek to integrate these practices into your spiritual formation as a disciple of Jesus.
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Session 5 | Bonus
Big Ideas in Spiritual Formation
In this first video, we consider G.K. Chesterton’s idea of the magical universe we live in, and how repetition is exactly what is needed for a thriving inner live.
In the second video, we take a moment to consider the Celtic idea of peregrinatio, or wandering, and see our lives as a dance with the Trinity.
In the third video, we look at the nature of prayer, seeing it as a joyful conversation rooted in obedience, rather than as a magical act that gets God to do things for us.
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