Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Spiritual formation ~ a year-long quest

Even though Brian McLaren writes from a Christian perspective, you can use his book to become more alive whether you are Christian or something else or no religion at all.  The flap promises "this book will inspire and activate you in your spiritual journey" even if you feel out of place in traditional church circles.

We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation ~ by Brian D. McLaren, 2014
This book puts tools in our hands to create a life-changing learning community.  The fifty-two (plus a few) weekly readings guide an individual or a group of friends through a year of rich study, interactive learning, and personal growth.  Discussion questions are designed to challenge, stimulate, and encourage, so that we can re-imagine what it means to live joyfully and responsibly.  Our goal is to move toward justice, creativity, and peace on our spiritual journey.
Part I ~ Alive in the Story of Creation
1.  Awe and Wonder
2.  Being Human
3.  A World of Meaning
4.  The Drama of Desire
5.  In Over Our Heads
6.  Plotting Goodness
7.  It's Not Too Late
8.  Rivalry or Reconciliation?
9.  Freedom!
10.  Getting Slavery Out of the People
11.  From Ugliness, a Beauty Emerges
12.  Stories That Shape Us
13.  The Great Conversation
First Quarter Queries

Part II ~ Alive in the Adventure of Jesus
14.  Promised Land, Promised Time
15.  Women on the Edge
16.  Keep Herod in Christmas
17.  Surprising People
17A.  The Light Has Come (Christmas Eve)
18.  Sharing Gifts (Sunday on or after Christmas Day)
19.  Jesus Coming of Age
20.  Join the Adventure!
21.  Significant and Wonderful
22.  Jesus the Teacher
23.  Jesus and the Multitudes
24.  Jesus and Hell
25.  Jesus, Violence, and Power
26.  Making It Real
Second Quarter Queries

Part III ~ Alive in a Global Uprising
27.  A New Identity
28.  A New Path to Aliveness
29.  Your Secret Life
30.  Why We Worry, Why We Judge
31.  The Choice Is Yours
32.  Peace March (Palm Sunday)
32A.  A Table. A Basin. Some Food. Some Friends. (Holy Thursday)
32B.  Everything Must Change (Good Friday)
32C.  Doubt. Darkness. Despair. (Holy Saturday)
33.  The Uprising Begins (Easter Sunday)
34.  The Uprising of Fellowship
35.  The Uprising of Discipleship
36.  The Uprising of Worship
37.  The Uprising of Partnership
38.  The Uprising of Stewardship
39.  Whatever the Hardship, Keep Rising Up!
Third Quarter Queries

Part IV ~ Alive in the Spirit of God
40.  The Spirit Is Moving!  (Pentecost Sunday)
41.  Moving with the Spirit
42.  Spirit of Love: Loving God
43.  Spirit of Love: Loving Neighbor
44.  Spirit of Love: Loving Self
45.  Spirit of Unity and Diversity
46.  Spirit of Service
47.  The Spirit Conspiracy
48.  Spirit of Power
49.  Spirit of Holiness
50.  Spirit of Life
51.  Spirit of Hope
52.  God in the End
Fourth Quarter Queries

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