Institute for Spiritual Formation
The Institute for Spiritual Formation (ISF) is an academic community dedicated to deepening the life of prayer and openness of the heart to God. Through its graduate degree programs and its Spiritual Formation Core (a set of courses for all Talbot School of Theology graduate students), the Institute for Spiritual Formation equips students to know themselves honestly and openly before God, cultivate intimacy and obedience to Christ, and care for souls through the loving power of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Formation Degrees and Programs
Why Study Spiritual Formation at Talbot?
At Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation, you will embark on the journey of a lifetime. Through spiritual direction, retreats, therapy and coursework with expert faculty, learn to abide in Christ, experience the transforming work of the Spirit and train to care for the souls of others.
I love the community at Biola, particularly the ISF community, who have been an integral part of my seminary experience in growing in godliness and transparency. Additionally, the professors at Biola have been pivotal in my journey of faith, as they have imparted such deep wisdom and love to me in my formative years in ministry!
What I most value about Biola is its commitment to education through Jesus-centered formation. It is a place, foremost of education but also a place of healing through its Christ-centered view that we are of first importance children of God.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a ministry at Talbot School of Theology focused on helping individuals discern God's will and movement in their lives. Sessions are led by our trained spiritual directors and are available to students, staff, faculty and other members of the Biola University community.
Spiritual Formation Core
The Institute for Spiritual Formation plays an integral role in the spiritual formation curriculum woven throughout Talbot’s programs. In addition, as a part of Talbot’s spiritual formation core, students outside of our ISF-specific degree programs will take a series of courses designed to equip them in mind and spirit to engage with their vocational callings in ministry and the marketplace.
Online Resources for Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation Lecture Series
Listen to free lectures from ISF faculty members, as well scholars like Dallas Willard, Gary Moon, Larry Crabb, Ruth Haley Barton and more.
Biola LEARN Courses
Interested in studying spiritual formation, but not ready to commit to a degree? Choose from three not-for-credit courses priced at less than $15.
The Good Book Blog
Talbot’s faculty blog offers biblical perspectives and theological insights on a wide range of topics, including spiritual formation.
“The Way of the Lamb” Podcast
Listen to ISF professor Kyle Strobel and ISF alumnus Jamin Goggin explore power and the church in this limited-series podcast.
Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
Explore scholarship, essays, book reviews and reflections on spiritual formation in ISF’s twice-annual, peer-reviewed journal.
The Journey
The Institute for Spiritual Formation is excited to announce The Journey, a non-academic one-year intensive training program for groups, churches and individuals interested in spiritual formation. This program seeks to take the best of ISF’s curriculum and translate it into an accessible format for the church.
Meet Our Faculty
I am the vine, you are the branches; He who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Contact Us
Institute for Spiritual Formation
- Phone: (562) 903-4888
- Email: isf@biola.edu
Arianna Kokol
Graduate Admissions Counselor
- Phone: (562) 903-4752
- Email: arianna.kokol@biola.edu