Birmingham Conference
Christian Formation – Building Strong Christians, Marriages, and Churches
Theme Verse: Ephesians 4:12-13 – “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Purpose: Equipping believers for spiritual growth, strengthening marriages, and building mature, disciple-making churches.
Session 1
Spiritual Formation – Its Importance and How Do We Grow in Christ (NT Key Teachings)
- What is Spiritual Formation?
- Growing into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
- The role of the Holy Spirit in transformation.
- Key Practices for Growth:
- Daily immersion in Scripture (Psalm 1:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Prayer and communion with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- The importance of fellowship and discipleship (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- The role of suffering in spiritual growth (James 1:2-4).
Why it matters: Many Christians struggle with stagnation in their faith. This session provides a biblical foundation for true transformation.
Session 2
The Character of Mature Men and Women from the NT – How Do We Achieve This? Reflections from the Puritans
- Biblical Portraits of Spiritual Maturity:
- The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Leadership qualities in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2.
- Humility, patience, and endurance (Colossians 3:12-17).
- Key Reflections from the Puritans (John Owen, Richard Baxter, etc.):
- The pursuit of holiness and mortification of sin.
- The discipline of self-examination and repentance.
- Living for God’s glory in all things.
- How to Grow in Christ-like Character:
- Developing a disciplined devotional life.
- Walking in accountability and mentorship.
- Serving others and growing through trials. Why it matters: A church is only as strong as its members. Developing Christlike character is essential for personal growth and leadership.
Session 3
Healthy Marriages – Workshop and Key Biblical Applications
- Biblical Foundations of Marriage:
- Marriage as a reflection of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
- Roles of husbands and wives (1 Peter 3:1-7).
- The importance of love, respect, and mutual submission.
- Common Challenges & Biblical Solutions:
- Communication and conflict resolution (Proverbs 15:1, James 1:19).
- Financial stewardship in marriage.
- Parenting and spiritual leadership in the home.
- Workshop:
- Practical exercises in communication and conflict resolution.
- Developing a shared spiritual vision as a couple. Why it matters: Strong marriages build strong families, which in turn create strong churches and communities.
Session 4
A Mature Church That Invests in Spiritual Formation – What We Need to Do
- The Marks of a Spiritually Mature Church:
- A commitment to sound doctrine (Acts 2:42).
- A culture of discipleship and mentorship (2 Timothy 2:2).
- Prayer and worship as a priority (Colossians 3:16).
- A heart for evangelism and missions (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Building a Culture of Spiritual Formation:
- Encouraging deep Bible study and theological education.
- Creating mentorship programs for new believers.
- Developing strong small groups and accountability structures.
- What We Need to Do Moving Forward:
- Practical steps for churches to invest in discipleship.
- How to raise up mature leaders and teachers. Why it matters: A church focused on spiritual formation will thrive in faith, unity, and mission, making a lasting impact for Christ.
Panel Discussion & Q&A
How Do We Build Spiritually Strong Families and Churches?
Panelists: Speakers from previous sessions.
Topics:
- How to develop a lifelong plan for spiritual growth.
- How to strengthen marriages and family discipleship.
- Open Q&A session.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Final Charge:
- Encouragement to prioritize spiritual growth and biblical discipleship (Philippians 3:12-14).
- Call to action: Commit to daily habits of growth, strengthen marriages, and invest in the local church.
- Prayer & Benediction.