A study guide for Living Spirituality is now available for download. I will be posting a chapter from the guide every Monday here on the blog. Please feel free to offer comments or ask questions as you read along!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Living Spirituality Chapter 1 - The Landscape
Christian spirituality is both overwhelmingly communal and intensely personal. As you read slowly and carefully through this book, we encourage you to think deeply about the questions and ideas presented. Following are some questions for discussion in a group, personal reflection, or both. Chapter 1 – The Landscape As we begin the journey forward into living spirituality, we have identified some components of our cultural landscape. This might also be a good time to consider the landscape of your own spirituality and its cultural influences. From what point are you starting? Some things to consider… * What images come to mind when you think of spirituality?Christianity? * What is the definition you use when you use the term spirituality? Christianity? Are they the same? * What spiritual options are you confronted with most often in your context? Why are they attractive/unattractive? * Can you identify places where cultural ideas have come into your notion of spirituality? Are they biblical? * Can you identify areas in your life where feeling rules? Do experiences come to mind where your feelings led you to false conclusions? True conclusions? * What do you think of when you hear the name Jesus Christ? God? * What is your reaction to the statement that “Jesus Christ is the gateway to living spirituality”? * On page 7, it is asserted that a spirituality rooted in Christ “explodes” our world. Do you perceive spirituality as limiting or expanding your experience? In what ways? O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. --The Book of Common Prayer Suggested Map Reading: For Further Study:
Deuteronomy 24:17-18
Romans 12:1-2
Colossians 1:15-20
Everyday Theology, K.J. Vanhoozer
God & Culture, D.A. Carson
Seeing Through Cynicism, D. Keyes
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The ZigZag Café
We will be convening here at the ZigZag café, Suisse, on Thursdays for conversation and dialogue.
I invite you to stop by every Thursday for the question of the day. Your thoughts and participation are most welcome. Pull up a stool, avec un café, un thé, ou un chocolat chaud, et un croissant, and join in here on Thursday at the ZZ café.
For today:
What would you see as advantages or disadvantages of self introspection in the Christian life?
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