Formation Frame #2 - Influential People

A Thursday Thrive

What kind of family did you grow up in? Was it a fun family? Was it a strict family? Was it a single-parent family? Was it a dysfunctional family? Was it a religious family? A non-religious family? No matter what kind of family you were raised in, that family has influenced your spiritual formation! I once had a student whose dad was Jewish and his mother Hindu. Both parents were active in their respective faith expressions. Think about those childhood influences! Our family of origin produces what I call our “embedded theology.” This is the unconscious beliefs we have about God beginning in our childhood. Our embedded theology is also reinforced by other influential people in our childhood - teachers, mentors, and friends. For instance, If your parents were “logical” atheists and denied the existence of God based upon the fact that his existence cannot be “proved,” doubt will always be in the back of your mind. If your parents were Christians who believed God to be an angry God and that we must achieve his love through our faithful actions, your bent toward legalism is always just a thought away. This theology is embedded at our core and is only overcome as we allow Holy Spirit to shape us in the image of Christ.

Your embedded theology, however, is not your current theology. As we step into a faith commitment with Jesus, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and begin our journey as Christ Followers. Again, we have influential people who are instrumental in shaping our theology and our formation. Teachers, preachers, and a faith community speak into our lives in various ways. We read books, listen to podcasts, and watch videos of Christian preachers, theologians, and thinkers. If you are involved in a faith community, you are continually being shaped by that community - both intentionally and unintentionally.

Take a moment to think about someone who helped shape your formation in Christ. How did this person impact your theology? How did this person impact your thinking? How did this person help you become more like Jesus? How have you changed because of them?

Becoming an Influencer

We live in a media-saturated world of influencers. How that term became popular is beyond me, but people on YouTube, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), etc., are classified as influencers. That concept is what I am talking about here. There are people in your life who have influenced your spiritual formation. The fact is, however, that if you are a follower of Jesus, you are an influencer! Whether you recognize it or not, you have influenced someone’s spiritual formation. So, why not become an “intentional influencer” - influencing the spiritual formation of those persons God has put in your life?

Expressing gratitude

Rick Warren says:"Developing an attitude of gratitude does not come naturally. We are not by nature grateful people. We are by nature discontented. We always want more or something different."

This means that one mark of becoming more like Jesus is becoming a person of gratitude. We can express gratitude for those who have influenced us - both good and bad. The bad influencers we have had show us how not to believe, think, speak, or act. The good influencers have shaped us toward becoming more like Christ. We should be grateful for them.

Most of all, we should be grateful to God. Everything we have is a gift from him! We do not deserve anything! It is only by God’s grace that we have our next breath. He is always with us, for he is Emmanuel - God who is continually with us. So, we can boldly pray…

Jesus, let this day resound with praises to You.
May my heart be filled with rejoicing,
May my words be filled with praises,
May my thoughts be focused on you:
For you are indeed Emmanuel,
God with me
Today, tomorrow, forever.
Let me experience the fullness
Of your presence this day.
Let me know that you
Are forever Emmanuel.
Hallelujah!