Spiritual Formation Resources
Spiritual Formation
At Platt Park Church we believe that we live in a good story, with a good God, and that, because of Jesus, this story has a good ending. Our desire is to live more fully into this reality, for our own flourishing, our city, and all of creation that is groaning for its liberation through redeemed humanity (Romans 8:22).
The triune God of love is always drawing close to us in desire for relationship and love. God initiates, we create space to notice and respond. This, simply put, is spiritual formation.
Everything we do as a church is with the hope that we are drawing closer to God and being formed as a community and as individuals into the likeness of Christ.
Groups, Experiences, & Circles
At Platt Park Church, most of our activities fall into one of three larger categories. These categories frame the purpose of our activity through the lens of spiritual formation.
Groups - Ongoing communities of people walking through life together — friendship, spiritual practice, and mutual care over the long haul. Home groups are the clearest example.
Experiences - Invitations to encounter God in a tangible way — worship gatherings, service opportunities, events, retreats, and more. Not just something to attend, but something to actually experience, that keeps shaping you afterward.
Circles - Casual spaces where curiosity meets community and honest questions are welcomed without a rigid curriculum. Through topical discussions, shared meals, and scripture exploration, these flexible gatherings offer accessible, relational ways to discover God in everyday life.
Books + Podcasts
Spiritual formation is an ongoing journey, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. We’ve highlighted a few accessible, beginner-friendly books below that we love and recommend often.
Want more recommendations? Click the button below to access a downloadable PDF featuring our complete list of favorite books, authors, and spiritual formation podcasts.
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Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer.Why it’s a great first-read: Modern, highly accessible, and deeply practical
. It introduces the core concepts of spiritual formation (being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he lived), without feeling dense or overwhelming . -
The Jesus I Never Knew – Philip Yancey. Why it’s a great first-read: Written with journalistic curiosity, this book strips away centuries of religious jargon to present a fresh, honest look at Jesus
. It’s ideal for skeptics, seekers, and longtime believers looking to refresh their perspective . -
The Good and Beautiful God – James Bryan Smith. Why it’s a great first-read: Built specifically around unlearning false narratives about God, every chapter combines direct teaching with an easy, practical "soul training" exercise
. It works exceptionally well for self-study or small groups . -
The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning. Why it’s a great first-read: A grace-saturated invitation to rest in God's unconditional love
. Manning’s vulnerable style makes this the perfect recommendation for anyone burdened by performance-based religion or feelings of unworthiness . -
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis. Why it’s a great first-read: A timeless classic that makes a clear, logical, and engaging case for the Christian faith and practical discipleship
. Its intellectual honesty and wit make it a essential recommendation for anyone asking foundational questions . -
Lectio 365 (App) or The BibleProject (App/Videos). Lectio 365 offers peaceful, daily guided prayers, while The BibleProject provides visual explainer videos that break down Scripture in an engaging, approachable way
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Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice of walking alongside a trained Christian guide to pay attention to God’s presence and movement in your life. Unlike counseling (which often focuses on healing emotional wounds) or coaching (which focuses on setting and reaching goals), spiritual direction is about sacred listening. A spiritual director isn't there to give you answers, preach, or tell you what to do, they simply help you slow down, notice where God is already at work, and discern where He might be leading you next.
We would love to help you discern your next steps! If you're curious about spiritual direction or wondering if it's the right fit for your season, our leadership team is always happy to sit down over coffee to chat and help you think through what kind of director might be a great match for you.
We usually recommend connecting with someone outside our immediate church community so you have a dedicated, neutral space for your direction. We are always glad to share ideas, talk through what you're looking for, and recommend local directors who might be a wonderful fit!
You can also look through the list of Spiritual Directors below and reach out directly.
Sermons + Livestream
Worship services are livestreamed each Sunday at 10AM. We also post the sermon as an audio clip.
Weekly Articles
Each week we share an article from someone in our community. These articles are included in the Saturday e-newsletter. If you do not currently receive the newsletter and would like to sign up, please click here.