Companions in Christ: A Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation : Participant's Book

by Scott, Gerrit; Gonzalez, Adele; Hinson, E. Glenn; Job, Rueben P.; Thompson, Marjorie J.; Wright, Wendy M.; Dawson, Gerrit Scott

• ISBN13: 9780835809146
• ISBN10: 0835809145
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

Over 28-weeks, the Companions in Christ Participant's Book moves through five areas:
-- Embracing the Journey -- an exploration of spiritual formation as a journey toward wholeness and holiness;
-- Feeding on the Word -- several ways of meditating on and praying with scripture;
-- Deepening our Prayer -- an experience of various classic forms and styles of prayer;
-- Responding to Our Call -- a presentation of gifts and call;
-- Exploring Spiritual Guidance -- different ways of giving an receiving spiritual guidance.

Well-known writers for Upper Room Ministries introduce weekly themes. Gerrit Scott Dawson, Adele Gonzalez, E. Glenn Hinson, Rueben Job, Marjorie Thompson, and Wendy Wright combine personal, firsthand accounts with wisdom from the Christian tradition to provide focus and background for the weekly exercises.

Following each reading are five daily exercises that help participants reflect on the theme more deeply and prepare for the group meeting. These exercises involve some combination of scripture reading, spiritual practice,

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	5	(7)
Introduction	7	(8)
Part 1 Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ	15	(50)
The Christian Life As Journey	17	(8)
The Nature of the Christian Spiritual Life	25	(10)
The Flow and the Means of Grace	35	(10)
Sharing Journeys of Faith	45	(10)
Living As Convenant Community	55	(10)
Part 2 Feeding on the Word: The Mind of Christ	65	(46)
Why Do We Call the Bible God's Word?	67	(8)
Studying Scripture As a Spiritual Discipline	75	(8)
Meditating on the Word	83	(12)
Directing Imagination	95	(8)
Group Meditation with Scripture	103	(8)
Part 3 Deepening Our Prayer: The Heart of Christ	111	(66)
Prayer and the Character of God	113	(10)
Dealing with Impediments to Prayer	123	(10)
Prayers of Petition and Intercession	133	(10)
Praying As We Are	143	(12)
Psalms, the Prayer Book of the Bible	155	(10)
Exploring Contemplative Prayer	165	(12)
Part 4 Responding to Our Call: The Work of Christ	177	(56)
Radical Availability	179	(10)
Living Reliance	189	(10)
Bearing the Fruit of the Vine	199	(8)
Gifts of the Spirit	207	(16)
The Body of Christ Given for the World	223	(10)
Part 5 Exploring Spiritual Guidance: The Spirit of Christ	233	(58)
How Do I Know God's Will for My Life?	235	(12)
Spiritual Companions	247	(12)
Small Groups for Spiritual Guidance	259	(10)
Re-Visioning Our Life As Companions in Christ	269	(10)
Discerning Our Need for Guidance	279	(12)
Closing Retreat for Companions in Christ	291	(2)
Materials for Group Meetings	293	(11)
An Annotated Resource List from Upper Room Ministries®	304	(5)
Notes	309	(5)
Sources and Authors of Marginal Quotations	314	(4)
Companion Song	318	(2)
Companions in Christ Authors	320