Dr. John Coe
Dr. John Coe will be teaching a four week class on Spiritual Formation for the 2012 Winter Session of RHBI (Tuesday Evenings, 1/31 – 2/21, 6:30pm – 8:20pm). The class will cover topics including:
- Resisting the Temptation of Moral Formation: Moving From Moral to Spiritual Formation
- Why We Sin When We Know So Much: Healing the Hidden Heart by the Spirit
- Drawing Near to God When God Seems Far Away: Practicing the Presence of God Despite Feelings
- Going on with God in Dark Nights: Maturing the Saints by Spiritual Hunger and Love
- How to Put on Christ: Doing Spiritual Disciplines from the Heart in the Spirit
We have a common experience of what some have called the “Sanctification Gap.” This is the disparity between what we know our lives should look like according to scripture and the frustrating realities of how we actually end up living out our lives. As believers, we embrace that we are justified by faith; but, we have a sneaking suspicion that we are sanctified by works. As a result we try harder and harder to overcome our failures and we become increasingly discouraged until many of us reach a stalemate with our struggles.
But why do we suppose that we are sanctified by our own efforts? Where does the grace of God fit in? How does my relationship with God nourish my soul, meeting the deepest needs of my heart that I would otherwise try to fulfill in fallen ways? These are important questions. Dallas Willard said it well when he observed that grace is opposed to earning, it’s not opposed to effort… but effort in our own strength leads only to failure and frustration. This class will help you develop a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a sanctifying relationship that brings us through our struggles by the loving grace of our Father.
Childcare is available, please make reservations by calling the church. The tuition for this class is $45,* but scholarships are readily available for those who are unable to pay the full tuition. Register early as we may be limited on seating for this class.
* Note: classes taught by visiting professors are normally $45 whereas regular RHBI classes are normally $35.