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Winner of the 2019 Christianity Today Book Award in the Christian Living & Discipleship Category

"This book is going to shake us all up in the most wonderfully destabilizing way."-Ray Ortlund, Lead Pastor, Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee

What did God use to draw a radical, committed unbeliever to himself? Did God take her to an evangelistic rally? Or, since she had her doctorate in literature, did he use something in print? No, God used an invitation to dinner in a modest home, from a humble couple who lived out the gospel daily, simply, and authentically.

With this story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same "radical, ordinary hospitality" to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors. Such hospitality sees our homes as not our own, but as God's tools for the furtherance of his kingdom as we welcome those who look, think, believe, and act differently from us into our everyday, sometimes messy lives-helping them see what true Christian faith really looks like.

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The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World

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Amazon.com: The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World (Audible Audio Edition): Rosaria Butterfield, Rosaria Butterfield, Crossway: Books

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Lead kids through a couple rounds of Simon Says. In Simon Says, the leader tells kids things to do but they have to listen closely. If you say, "Simon says," then kids do the motion. If you don't say, "Simon Says," kids don't do the motion.

After a few rounds of Simon Says, say: You guys did a great job playing Simon Says. Let's play it the opposite way. You still need to listen to me say, "Simon Says" before you do a motion. But, in this Opposite Simon Says, you will do the opposite of what I say. If I say, "Simon says, 'don't touch your head,' you will do the opposite and touch your head." Let's try this.

Simon says, "don't clap your hands." (Kids should clap their hands because they're doing the opposite thing.)

Say these things for kids to do the opposite:

"Simon says, 'Stand up.' " (Kids will sit.)

"Stand up." (Kids should not move.)

"Simon says, 'Sit down.' " (Kids will stand up.)

"Simon says, 'Don't pat your head.' " (Kids will pat their head.)

"Simon says, 'Don't stop patting your head.' " (Kids will stop.)

"Pat your stomach." (Kids should not move.)

"Simon says, 'Don't practice what you preach." (Kids will be confused.)

Have kids sit down.

Practice what you preach. What does that mean? (Pause.) I think it means that if you tell someone to do something, you need to do it, too. Practice what you preach means don't do the opposite thing that you say. Instead do what you say others should do.

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus had something to say about "practicing what you preach." Jesus was talking about the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in the synagogue where people went to worship. Jesus said that everything that they did was done so that others would see them and think how great they were. But they didn't do what they told other people to do. In fact, they did the opposite!

What did Jesus tell us to do about teachers like these? (Pause.)

You might think Jesus would say, "Don't listen to them! You don't have to do what they say." But He didn't. Jesus said, "Obey these teachers and do everything they say. But do not do what they do, because they do not practice what they preach." When it comes to living the Christian life, we need to make sure we do what we say.

Here's a little poem that would be good to remember.
You can know a lot of Scripture
And have the gift to teach,
But what is more important --
Is to practice what you preach!
Dear God, help us be people who do what we say so that others can see the love of Jesus in us. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Children's Sermons from Sermons 4 Kids | Object Lessons & Children's Sermons

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Free lectionary based children's sermons and object lessons in English and Spanish. Over 1,500 sermons from which to choose. Subscribe to receive a free sermon each week by email.

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Slow down your life to live at the pace and in the presence of Jesus. Ancient Christians called this "the practice of the presence of God." Jesus himself called it "abiding." Discover a life of deep, intimate communion with God.

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An ancient way to find rest for your soul

The Sabbath is a 24-hour time period set aside to stop, rest, delight, and worship. It is the best day of the week. In our era of chronic exhaustion, emotional unhealth, and spiritual stagnation, few things are more necessary than the recovery of this ancient practice.

What to expect

Each Practice comes with four session videos, weekly exercises and readings, and additional resources to help your group create life-changing daily rhythms as you apprentice under Jesus together. The sessions are about 30 minutes long and include time for group discussion at the beginning.

Our Practices are perfect to use with small groups or to run course-style with a larger group, but they can also be modified for a churchwide Sunday teaching series, small cohorts, and many other contexts.

Explore Other Practices ›

The Companion Guide

Each session will use the Sabbath Companion Guide. We created this guide to help you and your group build new daily rhythms.

The Guide includes weekly Reach Exercises, assigned readings and podcast episodes, and reflection questions. You can purchase a beautiful printed version, or download the digital guide for free when you sign up to run the Practice.

Recommended Reading

For the Sabbath Practice, we recommend picking up Sabbath by Dr. Dan Allender. Each week, you'll be assigned readings in the Sabbath Companion Guide.

Sabbath Meditations

Sabbath is a time to stop, rest, delight, and worship. Download this free book of meditations to read aloud or contemplate on your Sabbath.

Rule of Life Podcast

In the Sabbath series of the Rule of Life podcast, John Mark Comer, Bethany Allen and Bryan Rouanzoin dive into the countercultural act of Sabbath in today's world.

Summer is a state of mind

There's no wrong time to slow down. Gather your community and take four Sabbaths to savor the goodness of God together.

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The Sabbath Practice - Practicing the Way

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An ancient way to find rest for your soul The Sabbath is a 24-hour time period set aside to stop, rest, delight, and worship. It is the best day of the week. In our era of chronic exhaustion, emotional unhealth, and spiritual stagnation, few things are more necessary than the recovery of this ancient practice.

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Week By Week

Week 01: Talking to God

When the disciples asked Jesus, "teach us to pray," in Luke 11, Jesus gave them a pre-made prayer, or what some call a liturgy, to pray to God. In various seasons of our lives when we're exhausted, tired, traveling, grieving, doubting, or distracted, liturgies can carry us through and guide our prayers. As we learn the pragmatics of prayer, we'll begin habituating and fine-tuning a daily prayer rhythm.

Watch a two-minute preview of week one above.

Week 02: Talking with God

As disciples of Jesus, we long to pray our own words and share what's on our minds and hearts. In prayer, we bring our pain, hopes, joys, and fears to God in a personalized way. Gratitude, lament, and petition or intercession are all dimensions of talking with God that we can spend a lifetime exploring.

Week 03: Listening to God

Prayer is not just when we talk but when we listen. To hear his voice. As Jesus said in John 10v27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." This is a Spirit-generated desire in the heart of a disciple of Jesus.

Week 04: Being with God

There comes a point in our spiritual journey when prayer goes beyond words to simple loving presence, or what the ancient Christians called "union" with God. This type of prayer has come to be called "contemplation," based on 2 Corinthians 3v18. To contemplate is to look, to gaze upon the beauty of God, receiving his love pouring out toward you in Christ and by the Spirit, and then giving your love back in return.

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The Prayer Practice - Practicing the Way

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Week By Week When the disciples asked Jesus, "teach us to pray," in Luke 11, Jesus gave them a pre-made prayer, or what some call a liturgy, to pray to God. In various seasons of our lives when we're exhausted, tired, traveling, grieving, doubting, or distracted, liturgies can carry us through and guide our prayers.

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The Fasting Practice — Practicing the Way

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We all feel it - we're bombarded by noise like never before. Jesus has an invitation for us: Step away from it all to be alone with him, for the sake of our souls and the sake of others.

Explore Other Practices ›

The Companion Guide

Each session will use the Solitude Companion Guide. We created this guide to help you and your group build new daily rhythms into your lives.

We recommend getting a print version of the guide for a distraction-free experience with the sessions. The Companion Guide, available wherever books are sold on October 7, may be preordered here, or download the digital guide for free when you sign up to run the Practice.

Invitation to Solitude Guide

Our friend and collaborator at Practicing the Way, Strahan Coleman, has written this guide to help create meaningful moments of solitude, especially for those with less freedom to carve out extended time away from distractions.

Rule of Life Podcast

In the Solitude series of the Rule of Life podcast, John Mark Comer, Bethany Allen, and Bryan Rouanzoin host guests who discuss the challenges and joys of solitude.

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The Solitude Practice - Practicing the Way

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We all feel it - we're bombarded by noise like never before. Jesus has an invitation for us: Step away from it all to be alone with him, for the sake of our souls and the sake of others. Explore Other Practices › The Companion Guide Each session will use the Solitude Companion Guide.

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Are we really happier when we give generously?

We're made in the image of a happy, generous God. When we practice generosity, we live according to our design and tap into God's joy.

What to expect

Each Practice comes with four session videos, weekly exercises and readings, and additional resources to help your group create life-changing daily rhythms as you apprentice under Jesus together. The sessions are about 30 minutes long and include time for group discussion at the beginning.

Our Practices are perfect to use with small groups or to run course-style with a larger group, but they can also be modified for a churchwide Sunday teaching series, small cohorts, and many other contexts.

Explore Other Practices ›

The Companion Guide

Each session will use the Generosity Companion Guide. We created this guide to help you and your group build new daily rhythms into your lives.

You can purchase a beautiful printed version or download the digital guide for free when you sign up to run the Practice.

Recommended Reading

For the Generosity Practice, we're reading Giving is the Good Life by Randy Alcorn. Each week, you'll be assigned readings in theGenerosity Companion Guide.
As an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission fromqualifying purchases.

Rule of Life Podcast

The Generosity season of the Rule of Life podcast includes deeper conversations around each session with John Mark Comer and Christian Dawson, moving testimonials from people who've experienced the joy of generosity, and roundtable discussions with luminaries like Reward Sibanda (World Vision), Jimmy Mellado (Compassion International), Sara Miller (Praxis Labs), and many others. Watch or listen today.

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The Generosity Practice - Practicing the Way

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Are we really happier when we give generously? We're made in the image of a happy, generous God. When we practice generosity, we live according to our design and tap into God's joy. What to expect Each Practice comes with four session videos, weekly exercises and readings, and additional resources to help your group create life-changing daily rhythms as you apprentice under Jesus together.

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The Scripture Practice — Practicing the Way

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The Community Practice — Practicing the Way

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Embodying the self-giving love of Jesus

Love is the hallmark of Jesus' followers, but what does it look like? In the Way of Jesus, it means offering hidden acts of service to those right in front of us, allowing ourselves to be interrupted by unexpected needs, and overlapping our lives with those on the margins.

What to expect

Each Practice comes with four video sessions, weekly exercises and readings, and additional resources to help your group create life-changing daily rhythms as you apprentice under Jesus together. The sessions are about 30 minutes long and include time for group discussion.

Our Practices work well for small groups or for running course-style with a larger group, but they can also be modified for a churchwide Sunday teaching series, small cohorts, and many other contexts.

Explore Other Practices ›

Tyler Staton is a friend of Practicing the Way and the Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, a community known for serving those in need. His books include Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, and most recently, The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality.

The Companion Guide

Each session will use the Service Practice Companion Guide, which contains weekly Reach Exercises, assigned readings and podcast episodes, and reflection questions.

We recommend getting a print version of the guide for a distraction-free experience with the sessions. The Companion Guide is available wherever books are sold. A free digital version of the guide is also available when you sign up to run the Practice.

Recommended Reading

The recommended reading for the Service Practice is The Active Life by Parker Palmer. Each week, you'll be assigned readings in the Service Companion Guide.

Rule of Life Podcast

The Service season is hosted by Shelbi Shutt and Tyler Staton and features conversations with Edwin Colon (Next Step Community Church), Gary Haugen (International Justice Mission), Jonathan-Tremaine Thomas (Civil Righteousness), and a roundtable discussion with thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs committed to loving those on the margins.

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The Service Practice - Practicing the Way

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Embodying the self-giving love of Jesus Love is the hallmark of Jesus' followers, but what does it look like? In the Way of Jesus, it means offering hidden acts of service to those right in front of us, allowing ourselves to be interrupted by unexpected needs, and overlapping our lives with those on the margins.

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The Community Practice — Practicing the Way

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Table Conversations

Questions to spark deeper connection

Table Conversations, a companion to the Community Practice, is a beautifully designed set of cards with 100 questions to help your community connect around life, faith, and formation.

Ships weekly. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship outside the continental United States, but a free digital version is also available.

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Table Conversations — Practicing the Way

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Table Conversations is a beautifully designed set of 100 cards with curated questions to help your community connect deeply around life, faith, and formation.

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Jesus befriended, defended, healed, and depended upon women--and He will do the same for you."Amy has been a good friend of mine for a long time and is a trusted voice in my life. Her words, which are equal parts strong, humble, and kind, make questions about faith and life accessible and relatable. Buckle up; you are in for a great ride."Undistracted"With humor, relatability, and a deep knowledge of Scripture, Amy Seiffert is calling women up! Are you ready?"

From the beginning, God created women and men equal in dignity, value, and worth. But our identity as God's daughters has been contested, both inside and outside of the church, and we're left wondering where we belong. Sharing stories of the unsung women of the Bible, beloved author Amy Seiffert empowers you to stand firm in your dignity as a Daughter of the King, exchanging fear and doubt for confidence and faith.

Without you, the fullness of God's image is incomplete. And in His Kingdom, you are seen, heard, known, and commissioned to bring His redeeming love and truth to this world.

BOB GOFF, author of the New York Times bestsellers Love Does , Everybody Always , Dream Big , and SHARON HODDE MILLER, author of The Cost of Control

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Your Name Is Daughter: What the Unsung Women of the Bible Teach Us about Our Worth

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From the beginning, God created women and men equal in dignity, value, and worth. But our identity as God's daughters has been contested, both inside and outside of the church, and we're left wondering where we belong. Sharing stories of the unsung women of the Bible, beloved author Amy Seiffer...

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Jesus Through the Eyes of Women (Paperback) by Rebecca McLaughlin

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Learn more about Jesus Through the Eyes of Women by Rebecca McLaughlin offered at 10ofThose, and deepen your Christian faith. (Paperback)

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Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist A Comprehensive Look at Women Who Built the Early Church Women were there. For centuries, discussions of early Christianity have focused on male leaders

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Christianity Today Book of the Year

Discover the Holiness of Your Everyday

In the overlooked moments and routines of our day, we can become aware of God's presence in surprising ways. How do we embrace the sacred in the ordinary and the ordinary in the sacred?

Framed around one typical day, this book explores life through the lens of liturgy―small practices and habits that form us. In each chapter, Tish Harrison Warren considers a common daily experience―making the bed, brushing her teeth, losing her keys. Drawing from the diversity of her life as a campus minister, Anglican priest, friend, wife, and mother, Warren opens up a practical theology of the everyday.

Liturgy of the Ordinary offers:

Easy habits to incorporate into your everyday routines

Discussion questions and practices to jumpstart group discussion and personal reflection, and

Activities that relate both to spiritual practices as well as to an aspect of Sunday worship.

Come and discover the holiness of your every day.

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Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

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Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life [Warren, Tish Harrison, Crouch, Andy, Crouch, Andy, Warren, Tish Harrison] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

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"God wants me to try harder."
"God blesses me when I'm good and punishes me when I'm bad."
"God is angry with me."

We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true―but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what they think about God. The path to spiritual transformation begins here.

Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. Once you've discovered the truth in Scripture, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind. In The Good and Beautiful God , you'll find:

Opportunities for soul training at the end of each chapter

Spiritual practices that reinforce the biblical messages you learn on your mind and heart,

Small group discussion questions with each chapter, facilitating complete and lasting change through community learning, and much more!

This deep, loving and transformative book will help you discover the narratives that Jesus lived by―to know the Lord he knew and the kingdom he proclaimed―and to practice spiritual exercises that will help you grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God.

The Good and Beautiful Series includes four essential discipleship books from James Bryan Smith. Work through these proven Bible study resources individually or with a group to learn who God is, what it means to be a Christian, how to live in community, and how to address toxic self-narratives that hinder spiritual growth.

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The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (The Good and Beautiful Series)

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The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (The Good and Beautiful Series) [Smith, James Bryan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (The Good and Beautiful Series)

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With the Lectio 365 app you pray the Bible by meditating on the scriptures and asking God to speak through them. The app has short devotionals for morning and evening so you can open and close each day with God.

When you pause in His presence, you create space for peace in a busy and complicated world.

Topical content, timeless themes

Pray into relevant world issues and headlines, as well as timeless Biblical themes:

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The Lectio 365 app is a free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day.

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Please click the link to complete this form.

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The spiritual gifts listed below are found in three passages: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30, and Ephesians 4:11.

The Gift of Administration

The Greek word for the spiritual gift of administration is kubernesis. This is a unique term that refers to a shipmaster or captain. The literal meaning is "to steer," or "to rule or govern." It carries the idea of someone who guides and directs a group of people toward a goal or destination. We see variations of this word in verses like Acts 27:11, and Revelation 18:17.

With this gift the Holy Spirit enables certain Christians to organize, direct, and implement plans to lead others in the various ministries of the Church. This gift is closely related to the gift of leadership, but is more goal or task oriented and is also more concerned with details and organization. See also I Corinthians 12:28, Titus 1:4-5.

The Gift of Apostleship

The spiritual gift of apostleship is sometimes confused with the office of Apostle. The office of Apostle was held by a limited number of men chosen by Jesus, including the twelve disciples (Mark 3:13-19) and Paul (Romans 1:1). The requirements for the office of Apostle included being a faithful eyewitness of Jesus' ministry and His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 9:1), and being called by Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:1). The Apostles were given authority by Jesus to do many different things to establish the church, including writing Scripture and performing miracles (John 14:26, 2 Peter 3:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:12).

There are no more that hold the office of Apostle today, but the gift of apostleship continues in a different sense. Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers at His ascension (Ephesians 4:7-12), and these represent a distinct category of apostles. They do not have the authority to write Scripture as the original Apostles did. They also have a different purpose in the sense of establishing the church - the foundation has already been set.

The mission for those with the gift of apostleship today is to plant new ministries and churches, go into places where the Gospel is not preached, reach across cultures to establish churches in challenging environments, raise up and develop leaders, call out and lead pastors and shepherds, and much more. They often have many different gifts that allow them to fulfill their ministry. These are leaders of leaders and ministers of ministers. They are influencers. They are typically entrepreneurial and are able to take risks and perform difficult tasks. Missionaries, church planters, certain Christian scholars and institutional leaders, and those leading multiple ministries or churches often have the gift of apostleship. See also Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 9:1.

The Gift of Discernment

The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of "discernment of spirits" or "distinguishing between spirits." The Greek word for the gift of discernment is diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment. In the New Testament it describes the ability to distinguish between spirits as in 1 Corinthians 12:10, and to discern good and evil as in Hebrews 5:14.

The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation. The church needs those with this gift to warn believers in times of danger or keep them from being led astray by false teaching. See also I Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:3-6; 16:16-18; 1 John 4:1.

The Gift of Evangelism

All Christians are called to evangelize and reach out to the lost with the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20), but some are given an extra measure of faith and effectiveness in this area. The spiritual gift of evangelism is found in Ephesians 4:11-12 where Paul says that Jesus "gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." The Greek word for evangelists is euaggelistes which means "one who brings good news." This word is only found two other places in the New Testament: Acts 21:8 and 2 Timothy 4:5.

Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth with them. Evangelists are able to overcome the normal fear of rejection and engage non-believers in meaningful conversations about Jesus. Their gift allows them to communicate with all types of people and therefore they receive a greater response to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. They continually seek out relationships with those who don't know Jesus and are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to approach different people. They love giving free treasure away for Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:7), and it brings them great joy knowing that the "feet that bring good news" are beautiful to those who believe (Isaiah 52:7). See Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8, Matthew 28:18-20.

The Gift of Exhortation

The spiritual gift of exhortation is often called the "gift of encouragement." The Greek word for this gift is parakaleo. It means to beseech, exhort, call upon, to encourage and to strengthen. The primary means of exhortation is to remind the hearer of the powerful and amazing work of God in Christ, particularly in regard to the saving work of Jesus in the atonement. We see Paul commanding Titus to use this gift in Titus 1:9 and throughout chapter 2, particularly Titus 2:11-15. He also charges Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2.

The Spirit of God gives this gift to people in the church to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. The goal of the encourager is to see everyone in the church continually building up the body of Christ and glorifying God. See also Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32.

The Gift of Faith

The spiritual gift of faith is not to be confused with saving faith. All Christians have been given saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but not all receive this special gift of faith. The word for faith in the New Testament is pistis. It carries the notion of confidence, certainty, trust, and assurance in the object of faith. The gift of faith is rooted in one's saving faith in Christ and the trust that comes through a close relationship with the Savior. Those with this gift have a trust and confidence in God that allows them to live boldly for Him and manifest that faith in mighty ways.

In the Bible the gift of faith is often accompanied by great works of faith. In Acts 3:1-10 we see this gift in action when Peter sees a lame man at the Beautiful Gate and calls on him to stand up and walk in the Name of Jesus. Jesus said even a small amount of this faith could move mountains (Matthew 17:20; 21:21). Paul echoed this truth in 1 Corinthians 13:2.

The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the church to encourage and build up the church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. They expect God to move and are not surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle. See also I Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:1-40.

The Gift of Giving

The Greek word for the spiritual gift of giving is metadidomi. It simply means "to impart" or "to give." However, this word is accompanied in Romans 12:8 by another descriptive word: haplotes. This word tells us much more about the kind of giving that is associated with this gift. The word Haplotes means "sincerely, generously and without pretense or hypocrisy."

The Holy Spirit imparts this gift to some in the church to meet the various needs of the church and its ministries, missionaries, or of people who do not have the means to provide fully for themselves. The goal is to encourage and provide, giving all credit to God's love and provision. Those with this gift love to share with others the overflow of blessings God has given them. They are typically very hospitable and will seek out ways and opportunities to help others. They are also excellent stewards and will often adjust their lifestyles in order to give more to the spread of the Gospel and the care of the needy. They are grateful when someone shares a need with them, and are always joyful when they can meet that need. See Romans 12:8, 13, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-15; Acts 4:32-37, Galatians 4:15, Philippians 4:10-18.

The Gift of Healing

The spiritual gift of healing found in 1 Corinthians 12:9 is actually plural in the Greek. Charismata iamaton is literally translated "gifts of healings." This spiritual gift is closely related to the gifts of faith and miracles. All spiritual gifts are to be exercised in faith, but gifts of healings involve a special measure of it. This gift is interesting in that there is no guarantee that a person will always be able to heal anyone he or she desires. It is subject to the sovereign will of God, as all spiritual gifts are.

The Disciples were given authority to heal and cast out demons, but they were not always successful. The Apostle Paul was not able to heal himself and was told that God's grace was sufficient to carry him through his infirmity without removing it from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). This gift is given at various times and places to reveal the God of heaven to the sick and tormented. If healing is not granted, then we can conclude that God has greater plans for letting the person go through the illness or infirmity.

The spiritual gift of healing is an intimate one as it reveals the heart and compassion of God. Jesus is the Great Healer and Physician and during His ministry on earth He healed countless people and cast out demons (Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16; 9:35, Mark 1:34). Healings reveal that God is near to His people and He cares about their sufferings. Healings are meant to draw people to God through His Son Jesus Christ. God wants those healed to respond in faith with thanksgiving and love as the leper did in Luke 17:15-19, and as the demon-possessed man did in Mark 5:18-20. By God's grace, physical healing should lead to spiritual healing (faith in Jesus) and eternal life with Him in heaven.

Those who have this gift are compassionate toward the sick and pray over them regularly. They have great faith and trust that God can and will heal some and are not deterred when He chooses not to. They are motivated knowing that God's revealed power will draw people to faith in Jesus. Their ultimate concern is the spiritual well-being of those being healed and their relationship with Jesus. They yearn for the day that there will be no more pain and suffering, and sin will no longer wreak havoc on the people of God. See 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30, James 5:13-16.

The Gift of Interpretation

The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues is found alongside the gift of speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:10. The Greek word for interpretation is hermeneia and simply means to interpret, explain, or expound some message that is not able to be understood in a natural way. Thus, this spiritual gift is the supernatural ability to understand and explain messages uttered in an unknown language.

This is a revelatory gift, meaning that God "reveals" the meaning of the words or message being spoken and allows the interpreter to communicate its meaning to those who need to hear it. When this happens in the church two things happen: the church is edified and God is glorified.

The spiritual gift of interpretation is given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to reveal messages spoken in an unknown tongue to God for the building up of the church. Like the gift of prophecy, tongues that are interpreted have the effect of encouraging and blessing the church to love and serve God more deeply and effectively. See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30; 14:1-28.

The Gift of Knowledge

The spiritual gift of knowledge is also known as the "word of knowledge" or "utterance of knowledge." The Greek word for this gift is Gnosis and it simply means knowledge and understanding. The Scriptural emphasis in 1 Corinthians 12:8 is on the ability to speak this knowledge to others in a given situation. In the opening passages of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke of knowledge and recognized that the highest form of knowledge among men is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e. the testimony about Christ, cf. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7). What we can conclude then is the gift of knowledge is an understanding of the things in this world and in our lives that is founded in the Gospel and rooted in the Scriptures. This gift is closely related to the gift of wisdom which is alluded to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

The Holy Spirit gives this spiritual gift to some believers to bring about understanding and to inform the church or individual believers. The person with this gift is usually well-versed in the Scriptures and often has much committed to memory. They can retain the truth and communicate it effectively at the appropriate times. The gift of knowledge allows a believer to relate the Scriptures, and particularly the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to all aspects of life in this world. They can see how it connects to every situation and circumstance and how the reality and truth of the Gospel is to inform every decision a Christian makes. See also 1 Corinthians 12:8; Romans 15:14; 2 Corinthians 2:14.

The Gift of Leadership

The spiritual gift of leadership is closely related to the gift of administration and, interestingly, the spiritual gift of pastor/shepherd. The Greek word for the spiritual gift of leadership is proistemi. This word means to lead, to assist, to protect and to care for others. The spiritual gift of leadership is found in Romans 12:8 sandwiched between the gifts of giving and of mercy. It is placed there intentionally to show that it is a gift associated with caring for others. This is what connects it to the gift of pastor/shepherd, and what differentiates it from the gift of administration. It is more people oriented than task oriented in its application. This is not to say those with the gift of administration do not care for people, of course they do, but those with the spiritual gift of leadership focus on people and relationships more directly.

The word proistemi is connected to caring for people in other passages as well. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Paul says to "respect those who labor among you and are over ( proistemi) you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work." The labor and work of those who were leading the believers in Thessalonica was that of tirelessly caring for their souls. Paul also connects leadership to caring for others when he asks, "If someone does not know how to manage ( proistemi) his own household, how will he care for God's church?" 1 Timothy 3:5

The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of leadership to some in the church to care for God's people and lead them into deeper relationship with Christ and each other. They base their success on how well they help others succeed and grow in their spiritual walk with Jesus. They are able to accomplish many different tasks and objectives as they lead, but they will always lead relationally and with a deep concern for the well-being of others. They are "visionary" and less concerned with mundane details than those with the spiritual gift of administration. Many are entrepreneurial and willing to take risks to see the kingdom of God advanced through the church. They will go to great lengths to protect those under their care and are well-equipped to lead through crisis situations. See also Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12; 5:17.

The Gift of Mercy

All Christians are called to be merciful because God has been merciful to us (Matthew 18:33; Ephesians 2:4-6). The Greek word for the spiritual gift of mercy is eleeo. It means to be patient and compassionate toward those who are suffering or afflicted. The concern for the physical as well as spiritual need of those who are hurting is covered by the gift of mercy. Those with this gift have great empathy for others in their trials and sufferings. They are able to come alongside people over extended periods of time and see them through their healing process. They are truly and literally the hands and feet of God to the afflicted.

The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of mercy to some in the church to love and assist those who are suffering, and walk with them until The Lord allows their burden to be lifted. The gift of mercy is founded in God's mercy towards us as sinners and is consistently expressed with measurable compassion. Those with this gift are able to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15) and "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). They are sensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others and can quickly discern when someone is not doing well. They are typically good listeners and feel the need to simply "be there" for others. See Romans 12:8, Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23.

The Gift of Miracles

The spiritual gift of miracles is described in Scripture much like the gift of healing. It is found in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and the Greek phrase energemata dynameon literally translates "workings of powers." The double plural most likely means that these gifts were diverse and were not permanently available at the will of the gifted believer, but instead were bestowed at various times and circumstances. Thus, the gifts are subject to the divine will of God and His purposes and are not decided by the one who performs the miraculous works.

We know that Jesus performed many miracles in His earthly ministry, even more than those recorded in Scripture (John 20:30-31, Acts 2:22). The Apostles regularly performed miracles of all kinds including casting out demons, healings, raising people from the dead, striking people dead, causing blindness, and much more (Acts 2:43; 3:1-10; 5:1-16; 9:36-43; 13:4-12; 19:11 12). Other believers performed miracles as well, including Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Phillip (Acts 8:4-8).

Miracles were given by God to the church to reveal the presence and glory of God among His people and to create a sense of awe and wonder and Godly fear. Though there were many enemies of the church, often the result of miracles being performed was more people coming to faith in Jesus and glorifying God, as well as greater faith and boldness within the church (Acts 4:29-31; 9:35, 42).

Those with the spiritual gift of miracles often have a heightened sensitivity to the presence and power of God through His Holy Spirit. They have a special measure of faith and desire for God to reveal Himself and draw many to faith in His Son Jesus Christ. They take care not to draw attention to themselves or have a following of people, but are constantly pointing others to Jesus. Those with this gift understand that God is Sovereign and He can work when and how He desires, but they make sure they are available and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. This gift is often accompanied by prayer and strong petition by these individuals for God to reveal His glory to people. They do not claim power themselves, but always give credit and glory to God for His mighty works. Often God will deliberately humble them to keep them relying on His grace and pointing to His Son, rather than miracles. See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-29; Acts 1:8; Galatians 3:5.

The Gift of Pastor/Shepherd

The spiritual gift of pastor or pastor/shepherd is one that carries many different responsibilities. This gift is closely related to the spiritual gifts of leadership and teaching. The Greek word for pastor is poimen and simply means shepherd or overseer.

In the Biblical context, shepherds had several different responsibilities to their sheep and ultimately, to the owner of the sheep. They kept a lookout for predators and protected the sheep from attackers. They cared for wounded and sick sheep, nursing them back to health. They rescued them if they became lost or trapped. They spent enormous amounts of time with them guiding them to he places of nourishment and rest. The result was a trust and relationship that kept the sheep following the shepherd. The sheep were attuned to the shepherd's voice to the point that even if they were temporarily mixed with another herd, at the call of the shepherd they would separate and follow him.

Pastors are called shepherds because their calling and gifting are much like those who care for sheep. They are called and gifted to care for the spiritual well-being of a local body of God's people. Pastors are first and foremost servants. They are servants of God and servants of His bride, the church. They are given a mixture of abilities by grace that allows them to serve the needs of an entire community.

The goal of the pastor is to reveal the glory of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to a people who need God's grace for life. The primary way the pastor will do this is by teaching the Word of God to the church. The gift of pastor is directly linked to the gift of teaching in Ephesians 4:11 and elsewhere. In fact, this gift could be called the gift of pastor-teacher. The ability to teach the Scriptures is also one of the many requirements of being an overseer (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). By teaching the Scriptures to the church, the pastor feeds the "sheep" of God.

The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of pastor to some in the church to humbly teach them, guide them, protect them, and to lead them in the mission that God has for His church, namely the Great Commission. The pastor loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ and puts it at the center of his life and ministry. Pastors do not seek fame or recognition for themselves, but they are placed in a position of authority by the Holy Spirit. The role of a pastor is one of humility and service as he is reminded daily of his overwhelming need of God's grace for the task at hand. See also Ephesians 4:11; Jeremiah 3:15; Acts 20:28; John 10:11-18.

The Gift of Prophecy

The spiritual gift of prophecy is an extraordinary and unique gift. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." This gift is a blessing to the church and should not be quenched or despised (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Those who have the gift of prophecy differ from the Old Testament Prophets who spoke the authoritative Word of God directly. Their words were recorded as Scripture as they proclaimed, "Thus says The Lord," whereas the messages from those with the spiritual gift of prophecy must be tested (1 Corinthians 14:29-33; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1-3). In the New Testament the Apostles, not the prophets, took over the role of Scriptural proclamation from the Old Testament Prophets.

The Greek word for the gift of prophecy is propheteia which is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others in the church. These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction, disclosure of secret sins, prediction of future events, comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3-4, 24-25). Again, they do not constitute the authoritative Word of God, but are the human interpretation of the revelation that was received. They are spoken in human words through a human mind which is why they must be tested against the Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

The Holy Spirit gives the gift of prophecy to some believers to make God's heart known and to edify the church. This gift is for the benefit of both believers and unbelievers and is a sign that God is truly among His church (1 Corinthians 14:22-25). Those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body. They should be humble and continually study the Scriptures in order to test these revelations before speaking them. When they do speak, they should allow and even expect others to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret the message accordingly. In this way the church may be continually built up together in unity (1 Corinthians 14:4, 26). See also Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:10-11.

The Gift of Service

The spiritual gift of service, or ministering, covers a wide range of activities in its application. There are two Greek words for this gift. The first one, found in Romans 12:7, is diakonia. The basic meaning of this word is "to wait tables," but it is most often translated in the Bible as "ministry." It refers to any act of service done in genuine love for the edification of the community. The word antilepsis is translated "helping" and is found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. It has a similar meaning: to help or aid in love within the community.

The Holy Spirit endows some believers with this gift to fill the many gaps of ministry and meet the needs of the church as it fulfills the Great Commission. The goal is to energize the church and free up others to use their gifts to the fullest. The result is the continued edification of the church and the added ability to see beyond its own needs and reach out into the community.

We see people with this gift in passages like Acts 6:1-7, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, and many others. Those with the gift of service are committed to the spread of the Gospel. They serve in ways that benefit others with different gifts and ministries that are more public. They have a heart devoted to Jesus and a desire to follow His command and example in Matthew 20:25-28 (cf. Mark 10:42-45). Those with this gift do not seek recognition or a position in the "spotlight," they just love to help out. They are content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bless the church, display the love of Christ to the world, and bring glory to God. See also Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 28, Acts 20:35; 2 Timothy 4:11; Revelation 2:19.

The Gift of Teaching

The spiritual gift of teaching is one that carries a heavy responsibility in the church. In fact, James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." Like every believer, teachers are to be stewards of every word that comes out of their mouths. But the greater responsibility to which they are called is to be stewards of the Word of God to His people. Teachers have been entrusted with the task of effectively communicating what the Bible says, what it means, and how we as followers of Jesus Christ are to apply it to our lives here and now.

The Greek word for those with the spiritual gift of teaching is didaskalos. From the root of this word we get our English word, "didactic." The word didasko means to teach, instruct, instill doctrine, explain, and expound. Those with the spiritual gift of teaching love to study the Word of God for extended periods of time. They consume the Scriptures as food for their hearts, souls and minds with the expressed purpose of knowing Him and then making Him known to others. They want to know what God has revealed of Himself and what He requires of us as people created in His image. They take great joy and satisfaction in seeing others learn and apply the truth of God's Word to their lives. They love to see how the Gospel is woven throughout the Scriptures and how it glorifies and magnifies Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of those who love Him by grace.

The Holy Spirit gives certain people the spiritual gift of teaching so that they would help the church fulfill her ministry as "a pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). Without this gift, the church would quickly fall into error and sin. Teachers are there to make sure that doesn't happen. They hate when Scripture is abused and used out of context or with ill intent. They love the truth and speak the truth in love. They will never hide or withhold it. On the contrary, they desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who taught in the synagogues and in the Temple as well as anywhere the people were gathered. They are called to demonstrate God's love while revealing His truth to the world without fear. The effect of their ministry is the upholding of God's Word and the growth and maturity of His Bride until the day of His return. See also Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7; James 3:1

The Gift of Tongues

The spiritual gift of tongues is more accurately called the gift of languages. The Greek word for tongues is glossa, or glossolalia, which literally means "tongue." When it is used in the New Testament addressing the subject of spiritual gifts it carries the contextual meaning of "languages." Speaking in tongues is the utterance of prayer or of a message glorifying God, typically spoken to God (1 Corinthians 14:2), in a language that is unknown to the one speaking it.

To properly understand this gift, we need to begin with a brief history of language in the human race. In the garden mankind had one language and was in direct communication with God, having perfect communion with Him. Unfortunately, this relationship changed at the fall when Adam sinned against God and he and Eve were cursed and banished from Eden along with their descendants. Mankind continued to have one language up until Genesis 11 where God confused their language and people were dispersed throughout the earth. He did this because they had united together in one language and conspired to build a tower at Babel. Their intention was to "make a name" for themselves and thus replace God in their hearts. Pride is the birthplace of sin and regrettably fallen man has decided to use every advantage, including language, to usurp God's authority and place himself upon a throne which is not rightfully his.

After God confused their language and scattered them across the earth, He chose one people with one language to bring Him glory and draw mankind back to Himself. Abram, later called Abraham, was the one through whom God promised to bless "all the nations." Eventually, through the nation of Israel, the Hebrew language would be used to communicate God's Word to the nations. However, the rest of the world did not speak or understand this language and for the most part continued to remain ignorant of God's plan of redemption.

Fast forward to Pentecost and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the people of God. Here we see a glimpse of God's reversal of the curse of divided languages. In Acts 2 people from all over the world hear God's people proclaiming His mighty works in their own languages. This is the beginning of the redemption of language for its intended purpose: to glorify God and draw all people to Himself.

In heaven an innumerable group from every nation, tribe, people and tongue will join together to praise God with one language. (See Revelation 7:9-12. This is where tongues will cease as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.) The intention of the spiritual gift of tongues is to glorify God now, but also to prepare ourselves as His church to glorify Him forever in heaven. The gift however is only partial, in that it is not given to all believers, and in the context of the church requires an interpreter in order for it to be edifying.

There is much more to be said about the spiritual gift of tongues, but we will summarize a few points here:

* Not every believer receives this gift. The gift of tongues is not a requirement or a necessary sign of salvation. See 1 Corinthians 12:30.

* Tongues can be human languages such as those heard in Acts 2, but often may be languages no one understands. See 1 Corinthians 14:2.

* Tongues are not "ecstatic speech" but are always orderly and are able to be controlled by the one speaking. See 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, 33, 39-40

* No tongues should be spoken in the church gathering without interpretation. See 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.

* Tongues should not be forbidden. See 1 Corinthians 14:39.

The Holy Spirit gives some believers the spiritual gift of tongues to glorify God and, with the help of an interpreter, to edify the church. This gift is dealt with extensively in the Scriptures and its use should not be discouraged. That said, it should be used properly with pure motives and intentions, of course in the power and prompting of the Holy Spirit. See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:4, 39, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6.

The Gift of Wisdom

The spiritual gift of wisdom, like the gift of knowledge, is also referred to as the "word of wisdom" or "utterance of wisdom." The Greek word for wisdom is sophia and it refers to the intimate understanding of God's Word and His commandments which results in holy and upright living. In the context of 1 Corinthians 12:8, it means to speak to the life of an individual or to a specific situation with great understanding and a righteous perspective, with the goal of guiding others toward a life of holiness and worship.

Several Scriptures reveal the true beauty and fruit of wisdom. Psalm 111:10 says: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" Wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. It begins with knowing who God is and who we are in comparison to Him. That leads to understanding and then to practicing righteousness. A life of wisdom ultimately results in the praise of God.

James 3:17 says "the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." This is undoubtedly a work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The highest wisdom is found in the cross of Christ, which is "folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The Holy Spirit gives some the spiritual gift of wisdom to not only impart the truth and understanding to believers, but to invoke a response of holiness and worship lived out in the world and amongst God's people. Wisdom doesn't end with knowledge, but is expressed in transformed hearts and lives.

Those with the gift of wisdom have a deep understanding of the holiness of God and the lack of holiness in their own hearts. They can recognize this in others as well and have the compassion and boldness to share that truth with them. They are able to take from their own life experiences and share what God has taught them through those things. They can easily recognize where a decision or action may lead and can warn against those that may be harmful or unfruitful. They can often see through the confusion of a situation and can give direction that would help an individual or group obtain a God-glorifying goal. The church needs those with the spiritual gift of wisdom to guide her through uncertain or difficult times. See also 1 Corinthians 1:17-31, 2:1-16, 12:8; Colossians 1:9-10, 2:1-3; James 3:13-18

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The spiritual gifts listed below are found in three passages: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30, and Ephesians 4:11. The Greek word for the spiritual gift of administration is kubernesis. This is a unique term that refers to a shipmaster or captain. The literal meaning is "to steer," or "to rule or govern."

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GC Steele Creek Small Group Interest Form

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Over eight sessions, you'll form a foundational understanding of intentional spiritual formation. We'll explore how to follow Jesus in our busy, distracted, and increasingly secular culture.

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Over eight sessions, you'll form a foundational understanding of intentional spiritual formation. We'll explore how to follow Jesus in our busy, distracted, and increasingly secular culture. Each 30-minute session is comprised of teachings, guided discussion, tutorials, and voices from experts.

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If you were to join us in either of our homes at the end of almost any evening, or if you were to attend one of our retreats, we would invite you to do with us the process described in these pages. This book is about asking ourselves two questions: For what am I most grateful? For what am I least grateful? These questions help us identify moments of consolation and desolation. We call this process the examen. "We have given retreats in over forty countries,and we find that regardless of culture or age group, this simple process is the most helpful way for people to hear the voice of God guiding them from within. For example, should people bring us many questions ranging from, 'Should I change my job?' to What can help me with my depression?' We usually suggest they spend the next month focusing each day on the examen questions. Such people often return a month later having discovered from their own experience of consolation and desolation exactly what they should do more of and less of in order to resolve their problem. "For centuries, prayerful people have found direction for their days and for their lives by identifying these moments. Since even small children can do this, we have tried here to present the examen in a format that families, friends and communities can share and that will be easily accessible to anyone. We hope the examen will enrich your lives and your relationships as much as it has ours." †

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Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life

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If you were to join us in either of our homes at the end of almost any evening, or if you were to attend one of our retreats, we would invite you to do with us the process described in these pages. This book is about asking ourselves two questions: For what am I most grateful?

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Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools Study Guide and Streaming Video

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Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools Study Guide and Streaming Video

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Paul wrote, "Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us" (Romans 8:34). Interceding. That's what Jesus is doing right now. He is praying for you. He is the bridge between the Father's heavenly resources and your earthly life. Every prayer you have ever prayed, and every prayer you ever will pray, is a response to his prayers for you.

Join pastor and author Tyler Staton for a five-session Bible study that takes you to the starting point of a journey that will lead you from receiving the intercession of Christ to interceding with Christ. Along the way you'll make four stops, summarizing the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught into four core practices: adoration, confession, petition, and intercession. But it all starts and ends not with our prayers, but with Christ's.

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Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on Learning to Pray Like Jesus

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Odyssey in Christ, Spiritual Formation for Leadership is an international retreat ministry that seeks to help Christians to know God better and to experience him more fully. We present spiritually formative events that focus on ways to discern the presence of God and to respond to his love, grace and truth in life and in ministry. Our retreats and online classes provide ongoing development in the spiritual journey.

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Christian Spiritual Formation Retreats & Seminars | Odyssey in Christ

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Odyssey in Christ, Spiritual Formation for Leadership, brings Trinitarian spiritual renewal retreats and seminars to your group, church or organization. Our ministry offers online workshops and spiritual companion groups.

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Written by Ruth Haley Barton, author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, this series will help you get in touch with the soul of your leadership.

Crafted for spiritual leaders, each reflection in this series includes guidance to help you listen to what your soul wants to say to God and what God wants to say to your soul.

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We create space for God to strengthen the souls of leaders and transform communities. For 20 years, the Transforming Center has provided retreats, relationships, and resources for those who long to keep seeking God in the crucible of leadership. Join Us On A Retreat Retreats We invite leaders in and outside the Church to experience...

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Exploring My Strange Bible is Tim Mackie's personal podcast, produced by BibleProject. It's an anthology of Tim's lectures, sermons, and classroom teachings collected over the last 10 years.

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Bible Podcast Studying Christian Theology

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Exploring My Strange Bible is Tim Mackie's personal podcast, produced by BibleProject. It's an anthology of Tim's lectures, sermons, and classroom teachings collected over the last 10 years.

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Renovaré: Christian Spiritual Formation Resources, Retreats and Education - Renovare

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Renovaré: Christian Spiritual Formation Resources, Retreats and Education - Renovare Get Week­ly Soul-Nour­ish­ment + A Spir­i­tu­al For­ma­tion Primer -a free 60-page eBook intro­duc­ing Chris­t­ian spir­i­tu­al formation Learn more Renovaré was founded by Celebration of Discipline author Richard Foster to help people pursue renewal in Christ through relationships, retreats, and print and online resources.

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The Deeply Formed Life
The troubling reality is that believers can be deeply committed to being Christian without ever being deeply formed by Christ.
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Rich Villodas says we must restore depth, focus, and meaning for our souls. The Deeply Formed Life lays out a fresh, wholistic vision for spiritual breakthrough through five unexpected pathways.
Good and Beautiful and Kind Discussion Guide (ebook)

The goal of this discussion guide is to help you process-in community-the material from Good and Beautiful and Kind. The hope is that this resource will ground you deeper in Holy Scripture, while helping you give careful reflection to a number of themes for your life in Christ. Good for individual use or for small groups. For groups doing a study, it would be appreciated if each individual purchased their own copy of the discussion guide.

The Deeply Formed Life Discussion Guide (ebook)

The goal of this discussion guide is to help you process-in community-the material from The Deeply Formed Life. The hope is that this resource will ground you deeper in Holy Scripture, while helping you give careful reflection to five critical areas of our life in Christ. This is the companion resource to The Deeply Formed Life, by Rich Villodas. This guide is intended for small group or individual use. For group usage, please have each individual in your group purchase their own Digital Download.

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Rich Villodas is the author of The Deeply Formed Life and lead pastor at New Life Fellowship in Queens, NYC. New Life is a large, multiracial church with 75 nations represented.

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Proceeds from the sale of products purchased from Emotionally Healthy Discipleship are invested directly into the ministry.

Thank you for supporting the ministry of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship so that others may discover how to make mature disciples in Christ.

What's New In the Revised Edition

The first three chapters have been revised offering new stories and principles. And consolidated into one chapter to coincide with the companion Emotionally Healthy workbook and the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day daily Devotional

227 in stock (can be backordered)

Product Description:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Updated & Revised Edition (Paperback)
One percent of church leaders say that they are doing well in discipling new and young believers. After almost three decades as lead pastor at New Life Fellowship Church in the bustle of New York City, Pete Scazzero discovered that most people are not being changed in our churches, and, as a result, are not changing the world. Pete learned the hard way: you can't be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. Though Pete was an experienced pastor of a growing church, his life and faith remained emotionally unhealthy. Like so many others in the church, he routinely:

avoided healthy conflict in the name of keeping the peace

ignored and suppressed emotions

used work for God as an excuse to run from God

lived without limits.

Unless you slow and quiet your life down for a first-hand relationship with Jesus Christ, little change is possible. The integration of these two truths unleashed a spiritual revolution in Pete, in his church, and now in thousands of other churches. This updated edition serves as the core text for the Emotionally Healthy (EH) Spirituality Course, a Discipleship Course utilized by churches around the world to deeply change their people in Christ for the sake of the world. The larger Course includes a DVD, the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day daily devotional, and the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality workbook. Pete outlines his journey and offers a Offering new stories and principles, this updated edition will inspire readers to revolutionize their spiritual life. road map for a discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully trans formative. Topics include how to identify emotionally unhealthy spirituality, how to grow your soul through grief and loss, and how to develop into an emotionally mature adult.

Proceeds from the sale of products purchased from Emotionally Healthy Discipleship are invested directly into the ministry.

Thank you for supporting the ministry of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship so that others may discover how to make mature disciples in Christ.

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EH Spirituality Book (Paperback) - Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

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What's New In the Revised Edition The first three chapters have been revised offering new stories and principles. And consolidated into one chapter to coincide with the companion Emotionally Healthy workbook and the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day daily Devotional

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How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus?

The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture, Community, Simplicity, Generosity, and Hospitality. You'll hear from pastors, thought leaders, and everyday apprentices of Jesus, all hosted by John Mark Comer and produced by Practicing the Way.

Each season will be released alongside a Practice - a four week long experience created by Practicing the Way, designed to integrate these ancient practices into your everyday life.

This work is made possible by the Circle-a growing community of givers from across the world, who care deeply about integrating spiritual formation into the church at large.

To learn more about the Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus?

The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture, Community, Simplicity, Generosity, and Hospitality. You'll hear from pastors, thought leaders, and everyday apprentices of Jesus, all hosted by John Mark Comer and produced by Practicing the Way.

Each season will be released alongside a Practice - a four week long experience created by Practicing the Way, designed to integrate these ancient practices into your everyday life.

This work is made possible by the Circle-a growing community of givers from across the world, who care deeply about integrating spiritual formation into the church at large.

To learn more about the Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

Incredibly formative and helpful in my discipleship to Jesus

I came across JMC's teachings recently which have been category-shifting in regards to how we practice our apprenticeship to Jesus with practices like Sabbath, Fasting, and Solitude and Silence. It's incredible how something right in front of me in the Bible for years was not illuminated as an invitation for life in Jesus. These podcasts in particular have been SO helpful in expanding these ideas beyond JMC to other pastors and spiritual luminaries. I can feel their excitement about these life-giving practices, and it's convicted me to jump right in and join Jesus in these practices as I seek to be like Him and abide with Him.

Keep up the good work, and know that I'm praying for you all in this walk. Keep your eyes stubbornly on Jesus, His word and will, and those He's called you to love and guide in His way. Thank you for your efforts and your faithfulness in bringing these conversations to us!

Inspiring conversations

This is a great podcast. It is a source of encouragement and inspiration, calling people to a greater intimacy with God through practices that have been used throughout history.

A must listen

For any Christian wanting to grow in their relationship with Jesus and becoming a person of love, this is a must listen.

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How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus? The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus? The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture, Community, Simplicity, Generosity, and Hospitality. You’ll hear from pastors, thought leaders, and everyday apprentices of Jesus, all hosted by John Mark Comer and produced by Practicing the Way.Each season will be released alongside a Practice - a four week long experience created by Practicing the Way, designed to integrate these ancient practices into your everyday life.This work is made possible by the Circle—a growing community of givers from across the world, who care deeply about integrating spiritual formation into the church at large.To learn more about the Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

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Abandoning a Diseased Christian Social Imagination

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Abandoning a Diseased Christian Social Imagination

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"I want Christians to recognize the grotesque nature of a social performance of Christianity that imagines Christian identity floating above land, landscape, animals, place, and space, leaving such realities to the machinations of capitalistic calculations and the commodity chains of private property. Such Christian identity can only inevitably lodge itself in the materiality of racial existence." Reimagining our Christian connections and identities is a theological act. It's "a Christian act of imagining. And if, as I believe, Christian life is indeed a way forward for the world, then it must reemerge as a compelling new invitation to life together."[1]
Recently, I read Willie James Jennings' The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race (Yale University Press, 2010).

The book challenges so much of my understanding about the historical formation, and contemporary problems, in many Christian approaches to theology, identity, nationhood, politics, race, land, place, creation, discipleship, and community. The book is a theological tour de force. It should be read alongside J. Kameron Carter's Race: A Theological Account (see my review of that book here).

In an era where Christian identities seem so enmeshed with race, politics, nationalism, and material goods, Jennings' book is both a historical study of how we ended up in this place, and a contemporary challenge to imagine a different reality.

[bctt tweet="We must abandon a diseased & disfigured Christian social imagination" username="GrahamJGHill"]

Jennings shows how the Christian social imagination is often diseased and disfigured. It's wedded to racialized, individualistic, privatized, and rootless identities. We find ourselves in this place because of historical events. And we need to confront this situation head on and theologically, if we are going to demonstrate a compelling witness and life together in the world.

Jennings offers a compelling vision of a healed and whole Christian community (and a redeemed Christian social imagination). The way Jennings builds his thesis is exquisite.

One: Setting the Scene

What's gone wrong with the Christian social imagination?

Talking about an encounter from his childhood, where some "white" Christians seemed oblivious to the faith and community of African American Christians living in their very neighborhood, Jennings writes the following. "In the small space of a backyard I witness a Christianity familiar to most of us, enclosed in racial and cultural difference, inconsequentially related to it's geography, often imaginatively detached from its surroundings of both people and spaces, but one yet bound to compelling gestures of connection, belonging, and invitation. Here, however, we are operating out of a history of relations that exposed a distorted relational imagination."[2]

But, in spite of this distorted social imagination, "There is within Christianity a breathtakingly powerful way to imagine and enact the social, to imagine and enact connection and belonging."[3]

Here Jennings comes to his key proposition. "I argue here that Christianity in the Western world lives and moves within a diseased social imagination."[4]

This diseased social imagination is deeply connected to colonialism, and to the disfigured racial and personal identities that emerged during the colonial moment. Jennings notes how he experienced this in theological colleges. "What I observed in the theological academy was fundamentally the resistance of theologians to think theologically about their identities. It was the negation of a Christian intellectual posture reflective of the central trajectory of the incarnate life of the Son of God, who took on the life of the creature, a life of joining, belonging, connection, and intimacy.... The social vision that holds court in the theological academy imagines its intellectual world from the commanding heights of various social economies: cultural, political, and scholastic."[5]

Here Jennings says that, in his experience, Christian theologians don't think they're in charge of academic or political worlds. But their intellectual posture is one of power and control, and they expect others (e.g. indigenes, students, and outsiders) to be fluid and adaptable, but refuse to be so themselves. In this attachment to power and control, a rigidity, superiority, and staleness grows, that stops Christian theologians from forming habits of humility, fluidity, embodiment, and engagement, which lead to transformation.

Jennings doesn't believe that we've entered a post-Christendom age in which Christianity is distanced from state or cultural power, and where Christians are now in exile in a strange land. "While the old Anglo-Saxon Protestant hegemony may be over, such readings of the reality of Christian existence in the West are painfully superficial. They bypass the deeper realities of Western Christian sensibilities, identities, and habits of mind which continue to channel patters of colonialist dominance."[6]

Lamenting this state of affairs, Jennings returns repeatedly to hope. "Yet Christianity marks the spot where, if noble dream joins hands with God-inspired hope and presses with great impatience against the insularities of life, for example, national, cultural, ethnic, economic, sexual, and racial, seeking the deeper ground upon which to seed a new way of belonging and living together, then we will find together not simply a new ground, not simply a new seed, but a life already prepared and offered to us."[7]

Two: Displacement

What happens when we become groundless and then mainly identify with our race and skin color?

Ever since the colonial period, the gestalt of whiteness has ruled. What is whiteness? Whiteness includes skin color, but it is more than that. It's about race, money, status, power, agency, desirability, and more. Whiteness is about where one falls on the scale between being "white" (elected, good, ideal, beautiful, desirable) and being "black" (the opposite of those things).

Whiteness leads to a racialized and displaced world. It has formed oppressive and mythical notions of "race." And it's led to displacement.

Displacement is a significant problem in contemporary Western cultures. Displacement happens when we replace our primary identification with land, geography, and embodiment in nature and community, with identification with color and race.

Racial agency and scales of whiteness "rendered unintelligible and unpersuasive any narratives of the collective self that bound identity to geography, to earth, to water, trees, and animals."[8]

Whiteness has a profound impact on identity, and it leads to a form of displacement and disembodiment that can only find refuge in dysfunctional, divisive, destructive, disconnected, and dehumanizing racial or national identification.

In this environment, Christian theology and imagination become displaced and groundless.

"Detached from the land, oblivious to the ongoing decimation of native ecologies, deeply suspicious of native religious practices, and, most importantly, enclosed within Iberian whiteness, the performance of Christian theology would produce a new, deformed, and deforming intellectual circuit."[9]

Three: Translation

What is transferred in processes of translation?

Translation of biblical texts into the vernacular (into the everyday language of people) holds many positive benefits.

First, people can engage the Scriptures in their own language, and apply the insights contextually and with cultural awareness.

Second, it opens up opportunities for indigenous, local agency.

But, when translation is bound up with colonialist ideologies, it perpetuates a range of problems. "What is at stake here is precisely the character and shape of agency, given the work of translation that is deeply bound up inside colonialist operations... [Translation that is bound to colonialist assumptions produces] isolating and reductive forms of Christian agency. This latter claim puts in a different light the possible positive historical benefits of Christian translation. The positive historical benefits of Christian translation must be seen inside this wider tragedy."[10]

I won't go into detail here, but at this point in his thesis Jennings goes on to engage the work of Lamin Sanneh and Andrew Walls. Jennings is concerned that the cultural nationalisms we see in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are often "wedded to theological formation." This is precisely because the process of translation into vernaculars (during the colonial period) also transferred a colonialist, nationalistic, historically-dislodged, conquest-oriented, ethnocentric, racially-shaped Christian imagination.

Translation is important and necessary to Christian faith and theology, but it needs to be done carefully, because, as we've seen, it can also be dangerous.[11]

And we must address an associated issue. Processes of translation and biblical interpretation too often encourage theological "camps" that are often characterized by insularity and conflict.

Somehow, we need to move beyond the insularity and divisions present in Christian social and intellectual life. These form because we don't reflect on Christian identity well, and because we don't have a sufficient vision of our life together.

This includes the "insularity of Christian theology and all its identifiers (for example, orthodox, liberal, conservative, and so on) and the insularity of its Christian contextual responses and all its identifiers (for example, African, Asian, feminist, womanist) that repeatedly show Christians the missed opportunities of Christian intellectual life.... [The incarnate Son has joined the divine life to ours] and invites us to deep abiding intellectual joining, not only of beliefs and practices but of common life, and all of it of the multitude of many tongues."[12]

Four: Intimacy

How do we embrace a new order of relationship that's rooted in the life of Jesus?

Here, Jennings asks another important question. "How is it possible for Christians and Christian communities to naturalize cultural fragmentation and operationalize racial vision from within the social logic and theological imagination of Christianity itself?"[13]

Jennings answers this question by looking at the problems inherent in historical approaches to Scripture. Certain forms of biblical literacy can be wedded to colonial agendas and cultural circularity.[14]

Translations into the vernacular have many positives; but they can also entrench problems in identity formation. The vernacular Bible strengthens common language and the idea of nationhood. Pious Christian vision too often becomes converted into "nationalist-vision" (we see this in the United States and elsewhere).[15]

Instead of an embrace of the continuity between Israel's history and Jesus's history and that of each particular cultural Christian group, the history of Jesus and Israel disappears, and is replaced by a focus on chosen race (or rejected race) and blessed nation (or irredeemable, evil nation).

On the one hand, literacy and vernacular translation "enabled tremendous missional, even redemptive, ends."

On the other hand, "literacy's redemptive possibilities where themselves drawn inside projects of nation building as well as burgeoning performances of class consciousness."[16]

In the North American context, African Americans were taught to read the Bible in a way that reinforced white supremacy and hegemony. "Again and again the Scripture is surrounded by interpretations so that the slave is led to the text chained in and to a discourse of white hegemony."[17]

African Americans learnt (especially during the period of slavery) to read Scripture alone and apart and in fear of violence and death. "Where biblical literacy was guided by white slaveholding society, it was a profoundly racialized reading. The Bible was read within racial difference, and racial difference was read into the Bible."[18]

So, what can be done?

The church needs to embrace a theology of creation, since the distortions that have been outlined here are a "revolt against creation."[19]

"A Christian doctrine of creation is first a doctrine of place and people, of divine love and divine touch, of human presence and embrace, and of divine and human interaction... Christianity is in need of place to be fully Christian... At heart, there was an important aspect of the connection between creation and redemption that probably never seemed to take hold in the Christian imagination."[20]

[bctt tweet="Christianity needs a theology of place & land & creation to be fully Christian" username="GrahamJGHill"]

Given the multitude of nations, ethnicities, and people groups that the people of God come from today, how are they to understand their collective identity? What does it mean to be God's people?

Jennings finds the answer in locating our story and theology in the story of biblical Israel and Jewish Jesus. "Christianity and Christian theology are unintelligible without [biblical] Israel."[21]

I won't go into all the details of Jennings' argument, but I will say that it's a compelling, biblical vision.

Israel is God's chosen people. But we must resist turning "Israel's election into ethnic ideology."[22] This isn't about God choosing and honoring a particular ethnicity, but about God forming a people in the world.

As Gentiles, we understand our story in the light of the story of (biblical) Israel and of the Jewish Jesus. "What we know of our collective selves, of our peoples, and of our ways of life is not eradicated in the presence of Israel's God, but that knowledge is up for review. Indeed, some of the stories, practices, and fragmented memories that lay hidden in the shadows of our peoples must now be moved to the enter of life. Other truths of our people, time-honored, irrefutably powerful, aiming toward eternality are irretrievably weakened in the presence if Israel's God."[23]

In Jesus, diverse peoples are drawn together through faith in the God of Israel.

"In Jesus, Israel's election does a stunning work by opening the possibilities of boundary-shattering love between strangers and enemies. The election of Jesus turns Israel's election outward. This election enabled desire to be formed between Jew and Gentile, a desire that drew them together in longing for him and in turn invited them to desire one another... One of the most important episodes in the book of Acts beyond the episode of the day of Pentecost was the vision and action of Peter in Acts 10 and 11, which culminate in the first church council noted in chapter 15. This dynamic story... [reveals] a new order of relationship for Jews and Gentiles coming into being rooted in the life of Jesus."[24]

[bctt tweet="In Jesus, diverse peoples are drawn together through faith in the God of Israel" username="GrahamJGHill"]

What does this mean for the histories of particular cultures and people groups? "The multiple histories of peoples continue in this new spatial reality but are now situated in the story of [biblical] Israel... The power of this account of Gentile status radically undermined any distinction Gentiles held for themselves vis-à-vis other peoples. It is the ultimate deconstructive statement regarding Gentile ethnocentrism. If Jesus constitutes a new space for Jew and Gentile existence, then in that new space a common life must ensue that allows the formation of a new identity."[25]

Jennings says that this isn't the church replacing Israel. This isn't the church usurping Israel's story. Rather, we find our identity as people bound to the story of biblical Israel and Jewish Jesus.

From this reality, "Jesus intends the formation of a new humanity in his presence... This new biracial humanity, Jew and Gentile (metaphorically speaking), would be the basis for peace. Jesus marked an alternative path away from violence and toward peace through his own body, in which he constituted a space of reconciliation. In a powerful inversion of the power of death, Paul claims that Jesus, through his death, put to death hostility... The new people formed in this space imagine the world differently, beyond the agonistic vision of nations and toward the possibility of love and kinship."[26]

We'll never enjoy the richness and depth of the new, biracial humanity in Jesus Christ until we confront the racialization of the world. The advent of whiteness, and the racialization of the contemporary world, has led to diseased and disfigured churches, theologies, and relationships.

The good news is that Jesus offers a vision of the new creation and the new humanity. It's a vision of healing, wholeness, pace, reconciliation, love, kinship, and intimacy.

Five: Hope

How do we recover a healed and whole Christian Social Imagination?

We need to tell a new story about race.[27] People need to understand the Medieval, pre-Enlightenment origins of the concept of race. Christian must recognize the way faulty and diseased theological visions have contributed to the problem. We need to analyze our theology, and the way it has shaped our Christian practices and imagination.

What does Willie James Jennings say we need to do, to recover a healed and whole Christian social imagination?

We need "a way of life that illumines the God of Israel as the reality between land and peoples."[28] We are called-through a theology of creation, and a deep understanding of the story of biblical Israel and the Jewish Jesus-to value place, land, and the deep connections between peoples and lands.

We need "a vision of the Creator arising through the hearing of Israel's story." As we engage this story, we see it in the light of the person and work of the historical Jesus. The Spirit of Christ enables us to discern how our "cultural practices and stories both echo and contradict the divine claim on [our] lives."[29]

We need "a new identity rooted in the resurrected Son of God." Our cultures and ethnicities do shape our identities. But, rooting our identity in Jesus Christ, we discover fresh ways to love, embrace, and belong to the Body of Christ, which is made up of manifold ethnicities, cultures, and people groups.[30]

We need "a process of transformation that involves the enfolding of peoples and their ways of life inside one another through communion with the triune God." This leads to peace and love between groups that are usually at odds with each other. It also leads to the crossing and bending and breaking and transgressing of boundaries. Old enmities, boundaries, and divisions are done away with, through the power and presence of the triune God. We discover a new "kinship network in Jesus Christ."[31]

We need "a vision of a new life in Jesus Christ." Jesus leads us into communion with biblical Israel and each other, for the sake of all peoples. Jesus also reconfigures our Christian social imaginations.[32]

We need "a pattern of discipleship that moves forward from the trajectory of Pentecost." Pentecost inspires us to unity, empathy, humility, openness, embrace, mutual submission, hope, and love. In the power of the Spirit we choose to bind our lives together (often with people of different cultures, ethnicities, and people groups).[33]

We need a fresh communion with God and others that witnesses to a fragmented, racialized, displaced, and disfigured world. We need "the emergence of spaces of communion that announce the healing of nations through the story of Israel bound up in Jesus." In the power of the Spirit, and witnessing to Christ, these spaces are "situated anywhere and everywhere the disciples of Jesus live together."[34]

Jennings hasn't lost hope in the church, and neither should we. The church isn't "lost, moribund, or impotent," even when its social imagination is diseased and disfigured.[35]

[bctt tweet="Christians must abandon racialized & disembodied social imaginations" username="GrahamJGHill"]
What are Jennings' main purposes for this book?
He wants to highlight an historical and contemporary problem. "I want Christians to recognize the grotesque nature of a social performance of Christianity that imagines Christian identity floating above land, landscape, animals, place, and space, leaving such realities to the machinations of capitalistic calculations and the commodity chains of private property. Such Christian identity can only inevitably lodge itself in the materiality of racial existence."[36]

And he wants to inspire us to act, in a spirit of hope. Reimagining our Christian connections and identities is a theological act. It's "a Christian act of imagining. And if, as I believe, Christian life is indeed a way forward for the world, then it must reemerge as a compelling new invitation to life together."[37]

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Abandoning a Diseased Christian Social Imagination - Graham Joseph Hill

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Abandoning a Diseased Christian Social Imagination. Willie James Jennings. The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race. GlobalChurch Project

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Building a Foundational Understanding of Race

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Building a Foundational Understanding of Race

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Christians are called to be one in Christ (Galatians 3:28), not to erase the beautiful differences the Creator bestowed upon humanity, but to utterly destroy the hierarchies and domination that humans attach to those differences.

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Christians for Social Action (CSA) is a group of scholar-activists, stirring the imagination for a fuller expression of Christian faithfulness and a more just society.

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Place to connect and inform about the restoration of all persons places and things; while pursuing wholeness and moral excellence according to the biblical pattern.

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The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) has designed Eyes to See: An Anti-Racism Examen, which focuses on matters of race and racism that are specific to us and these institutions. Consisting of three parts (a video, a guided Examen, and resources for further discussion), it has been developed as a resource for boards, senior leadership teams, faculty, staff, and mixed groups of college/university colleagues. Flexible and adaptable, it can be tailored to suit the needs of leadership teams, faculty and staff members in Jesuit schools.

The guided Examen is a rich resource which motivates further reflection, assessment and planning. Many thoughtful conversations and creative initiatives on race are underway within and among Jesuit colleges and universities.

"The central visual element of the Anti-Racism Examen is a 15-minute long video featuring the voices of colleagues from across the AJCU network, sharing their experiences with racism and hopes for the future. Framed as a "Composition of Place," it shows still photographs of students, faculty, staff, administrators and Board of Trustee members across our institutions. It can be viewed on its own, or as a tool during the guided Examen."

All resources for Eyes to See (including a Leader's Guide for the Examen) can be found on the AJCU website: ajcunet.edu/eyes-to-see. For more information, please write to mission@ajcunet.edu.

to create and view comments

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Eyes to See: An Anti-Racism Examen - Educate Magis

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The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) has designed Eyes to See: An Anti-Racism Examen, which focuses on matters of race and racism that are specific to us and these institutions. Consisting of three...

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Faith & Prejudice Small Group Study Curriculum

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Faith & Prejudice Small Group Study Curriculum

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Faith & Prejudice: Small Group Study Curriculum

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The Faith & Prejudice curriculum is designed to stimulate productive conversation about racism and its varied effects within the United States. The ultimate goal is to move from conversation to mobilization in order to dismantle systemic racism.

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Faith for Justice exists to connect people of faith to Black-led movement and campaigns.

Our primary work is in healing from racial trauma, and abolition of the carceral state.

Subscribe to our newsletter

We offer seminars and workshops structured to suit various cultural and theological contexts. Our trainings are based in and can easily be formed to give helpful breakdowns and definitions of:

Black Womanism + Liberation Theology

Faith Rooted Activism

21st Century Abolition

Black queer feminist political lens

Faith for Justice offers consultation on Organizational Bias and Leadership Development Training for implementing Anti-Racism and Anti-Bias, Trauma informed work in faith rooted organizations.

We offer seminars and workshops structured to suit various cultural and theological contexts. If you are interested in personalized trainings, please contact us to discuss your organizational needs.

We collaborate with local churches and organizations to host city-wide events ranging from worship nights to our annual #ReclaimMLK program

From Healing Justice and Inter-Generational Engagement, to Organizing for Change and Fatal State Violence Crisis Response.

Resistance is hard. "Living sacrificially" sounds pretty, but it means giving up many of the things that make us comfortable. It means giving up some of the things we've been conditioned to cling to for self-worth, and even cultural identity. Resistance is hard. That is why we do it together.

The change we seek can only be achieved by building people power from the bottom up. If you are looking for ways to get involved in this work, you can start by reaching out to one or more of the organizations listed below. There are many ways to plug in, and we welcome new energy and participation.

Freedom Arts & Education Center

Stay up to date by following our blog

You can contact us by sending an email to faithforjusticestl@gmail.com or filling out the form below.

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Faith for Justice is a coalition of Christian activists pursuing the biblical call to action in the public sphere in St. Louis.

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While debates surrounding reparation and restitution have usually taken place in the government sphere (i.e., Germany’s reparations to Israel after WWII), these efforts can be clouded with misunderstanding and apathy, and usually, end in a stalemate. But does the Church have a responsibility to repair the sins of the past? Duke Kwon helps us imagine this unique opportunity in a concrete, restorative way.

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Christianity is a surprising religion. It has changed the world in remarkable ways throughout history simply through Christians living out their faith. More recently, we've become afraid of a habituated Christianity, thinking that routines will rob our faith of its vitality.

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Resources from The NAE's Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission

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Resources from The NAE's Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission

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https://www.24-7prayer.com/podcast_series/be-still/

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What's New

Every Thing is Sacred

Explore what it means to live in Christ with "Every Thing is Sacred: 40 Practices and Reflections on the Universal Christ." Richard Rohr and Patrick Boland guide readers through contemplative practices, reflection activities and embodied exercises to help us embrace the deep beauty of God, even amid the uncertainties of life.

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Explore what it means to live in Christ with "Every Thing is Sacred: 40 Practices and Reflections on the Universal Christ." Richard Rohr and Patrick Boland guide readers through contemplative practices, reflection activities and embodied exercises to help us embrace the deep beauty of God, even amid the uncertainties of life.

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The free Contemplative Outreach app for Centering Prayer is now available for iPhones and iPads (iOS 7+) and Android phones. Spanish-language versions are also available.

The Centering Prayer mobile app supports one's daily prayer practice. Beautiful, elegant and peaceful, the app includes an adjustable timer, as well as opening and closing prayer options that may be read before and after Centering Prayer. An assortment of sounds and backgrounds allow one to choose the type of environment for the prayer time. Brief instructions for learning Centering Prayer are also included.

You can find the app in the the App Store or the Google Play Store if you have an Android; search for Centering Prayer, select the one by Contemplative Outreach.

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Centering Prayer Mobile App - Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.

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The free Contemplative Outreach app for Centering Prayer is now available for iPhones and iPads (iOS 7+) and Android phones. Spanish-language versions are also available. The Centering Prayer mobile app supports one's daily prayer practice. Beautiful, elegant and peaceful, the app includes an adjustable timer, as well as opening and closing prayer options that may be read before and after Centering Prayer.

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https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-course/

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https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/origins/

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GC Steele Creek Faith Avenue Team Interest Form

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If you are interested in serving on the GC Steele Creek Faith Avenue Team, please complete this form.

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In this season of unprecedented upheaval and re-orientation of our lives and churches, join me in a series of podcasts on how to lead others out of our own inner journey with Jesus. Embracing the holy ground of this season and hearing his voice - for ourselves - is essential if we are to lead the church forward into new depths and breath of her mission. - Pete

Moving Your Church Forward by Slowing Yourself Down Discipleship that deeply transforms lives in a hurried world. Start Your Journey

I want to transform my own
life and leadership.

I want to build a team of deeply changed leaders.

I want to multiply mature disciples in my church or ministry.

Take this powerful FREE 15-minute personal assessment to discover if you are an emotional Infant, Child, Teen or Adult.

Why Clarifying Expectations Will Save Your Life and Leadership

Pete is joined by his wife Geri as they address one of the great challenges we face during COVID-19 The prolonged, stay-at-home time in which we find ourselves - our relationships.

In this podcast, they introduce a life-changing skill called "Clarify Expectations."

Over 25 years ago, I found myself in a crisis. I was a successful pastor with growing leadership influence, but my inner life with God was nearly non-existent. I almost lost everything.

Since then, my wife Geri and I have given ourselves to equipping leaders and churches to move from a shallow Christianity to real depth in Christ.

At Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, we've created pathways for you to experience transformation personally, with your team, and ultimately, with your entire church or ministry.

We can't wait to take this journey with you!

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Emotionally Healthy Discipleship - We Help Church Leaders Make Mature Disciples

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In this season of unprecedented upheaval and re-orientation of our lives and churches, join me in a series of podcasts on how to lead others out of our own inner journey with Jesus. Embracing the holy ground of this season and hearing his voice - for ourselves - is essential if we are to lead the church forward into new depths and breath of her mission.

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Proceeds from the sale of products purchased from Emotionally Healthy Discipleship are invested directly into the ministry.

Thank you for supporting the ministry of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship so that others may discover how to make mature disciples in Christ.

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The Emotionally Healthy Leader - Free PDF discssion guide with this purchase (link will be listed on your order confirmation)

Do you feel too overwhelmed to enjoy life, unable to sort out the demands on your time?

Are you doing your best work as a leader, yet not making an impact?

Have you ever felt stuck, powerless to change your environment?

In The Emotionally Healthy Leader, bestselling author Peter Scazzero shows leaders how to develop a deep, inner life with Christ, examining its profound implications for surviving stress, planning and decision making, building teams, creating healthy culture, influencing others, and much more.

Going beyond simply offering a quick fix or new technique, The Emotionally Healthy Leader gets to the core, beneath-the-surface issues of uniquely Christian leadership. This book is more than a book you will read; it is a resource you will come back to over and over again.

Peter Scazzero shows leaders how to develop a deep, inner life with Christ, examining its profound implications for surviving stress, planning and decision making, building teams, creating healthy culture, influencing others, and much more.

Proceeds from the sale of products purchased from Emotionally Healthy Discipleship are invested directly into the ministry.

Thank you for supporting the ministry of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship so that others may discover how to make mature disciples in Christ.

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The Emotionally Healthy Leader - Book - Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

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The Emotionally Healthy Leader - Free PDF discssion guide with this purchase (link will be listed on your order confirmation) Do you feel too overwhelmed to enjoy life, unable to sort out the demands on your time? Are you doing your best work as a leader, yet not making an impact?

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Chapter 1, Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor noted that abandoning the language of sin will not make sin go away. Human beings will continue to experience alienation, deformation, damnation, and death no matter what we call them. Abandoning the language will simply leave us speechless before them, and increase our denial of their presence in our lives.

Sin, the Fracturing of Reality

In a culture where Christianity is no longer the center of human reflection and engagement in the world, any talk of sin can be rough sledding. Sin has come to be associated with judgmentalism, bigotry, and a selective, inconsistent moralism, leading people-religious or otherwise-to conclude that it's just another word used to control and coerce people in a particular way. As a pastor, I must admit that there is much truth in this. Sin as a concept has been abused, used to control, and used to shelter and even justify indefensible hypocrisy by spiritual communities in our shared social life.

Recently, I had a conversation with a neighbor in my apartment building. After hearing that I was a pastor, he began to wax eloquent about the oppressive tendencies of religion. For him, sin has been a manipulative word to keep people in line-to control their sexuality, money, and political convictions. It implies a threat. In his opinion, sin is just another way to create a world in the image of the powerful or privileged. As he shared this, I had to agree with much of what he was saying. Just look around! The language of sin has been used as a hammer to crush anyone who doesn't share the same ethical standards, and that's tragic. But there are more redemptive ways of understanding sin. And holding fast the hope that we can learn to love in a way that restores, shouldn't we try to do so?

Reframing Sin

When we define sin relative to love, we do not have to discard outright the traditional ways we have understood sin. In fact, there are clear biblical passages we can point to that speak of sin as breaking God's law. But they do not present a complete picture, and most of us need a course correction. In our culture, sin has usually not been seen as a failure to love but almost exclusively as a violation of a law: God's law.

When we expand our understanding, we can better assess our spiritual health. Perhaps we have not broken God's law today, in a strictly defined legal sense. But have we failed to love? Have we curved in on ourselves, missing opportunities to share the love of Christ with the poor or vulnerable around us? Very likely, and it is this increased standard of difficulty that Christ so memorably calls us to embrace. Remember the Sermon on the Mount? Again and again, Jesus quoted the Law of Moses in Matthew 5: "You have heard that it was said . . ." and then reframed the teaching according to love with "But I tell you . . ." We still live under the difficult inspiration of that iconic teaching today.

A robust theology of sin helps us live beyond self-deception. A limited theology of sin often results in a false sense of spiritual maturity. Like the Pharisee in one of Christ's parables, who looked around in pride and thanked God that he wasn't like those sinners (see Luke 18:11), it is a small step from a narrow understanding of sin straight into the depths of it. In other words, it's easy to think, Well, I'm not doing that, so I must be okay. But sin is not just about "not doing that." Sin is the negation of love.

When spiritual vitality is measured by sin-avoidance, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are following Jesus faithfully. But following Jesus is to be measured by love-love for God expressed in love for neighbor. This is the good, beautiful, and kind life. It took me some years to realize this. In fact, I need to be reminded of it often.

At its core, sin is failure to love. It's a power that "curves us inward." In the words of North African bishop Saint Augustine, humanity is incurvatus in se, curved in on itself. Humanity suffers from a severe condition. No matter if our physical eyes may be able to gaze upward, our spiritual vision tends to curve horribly in upon itself. And with this stunting self-focus of our attention, we cut out love.

Not many of us associate sin with love. Sin usually conjures images of lawbreaking, trespassing, and debt (all helpful metaphors for understanding our relationship to God). What I would like to propose, however, is that we broaden our scope-or rather, focus our lens. We must understand sin in the light of love as we seek to live in the way of Jesus, especially those of us who long for wholeness.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he responded with absolute clarity: Love. Love is the greatest command. He said, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus's summary of Holy Scripture leads me to a conclusion that might surprise you: If the greatest commandment given by Jesus is rooted in love, the greatest sin-and perhaps all sin-must in some way be the rejection of this command. This is what makes sin so pernicious. It orients us inward. It curves us in on ourselves, and in so doing, it uproots love, goodness, beauty, and kindness.

To classify sin as failure to love is not to sentimentalize or soften it. It's to frame the very essence of our lives with God and one another in the way Jesus did. The chief end of humanity is "to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever," to paraphrase the old Westminster Catechism. And the means to this end is simple: love. Love is the fulfillment of faith; sin is the negation of it.

Paul the apostle captured this better than anyone besides Jesus himself. In the early years of the church, new communities were being formed, often in ways that somehow sidelined love. Because of a variety of temptations, failures, and distractions, love was not regarded as the most important expression of faith. As one example, among some Christ followers in the city of Corinth (in ancient Greece), love was superseded by charisma. This emphasis resulted in many interpersonal fractures, which led Paul to write a letter to them. As he neared the end of his correspondence, he wrote what has become famously known as the "love chapter." First Corinthians 13 shows up in almost every wedding ceremony. It's a beautiful description of what love is: "patient," "kind," and all the rest. But it's important to note that Paul didn't have wedding bells, bridesmaids, and bouquets in mind when he wrote the passage. It was not intended to give the reader warm, fuzzy feelings. The chapter was Paul's word of rebuke to Christ followers who had become fractured and distracted. They were marked by great miracles and charisma among them, but they had little of maturity and character where it counted.

To end the chapter, Paul made it plain: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (verse 13). If love is the greatest good, sin must be the antithesis of it. Sin is not just a violation of a law; it's the disruption of love.

It might be easy to think of this as simply an abstract theological idea. But what if it wasn't? What if you could trace all the horribly concrete wounds and fractures of our culture, churches, families, and most intimate relationships to the disruption of love? What if our world-so far from being good, beautiful, or kind-was in the state it was in precisely because of this failure to love?

Recovering "Sin"

Now, the last thing you might want right now is another preacher pointing out sin. Here goes Rich, lecturing on morality-in the first chapter, no less! If that's you, please give me a chance, because I want us to understand together what Langston Hughes called the "worms . . . eating at the rind." And we cannot do so, we cannot name or understand the forces that sabotage our lives and break our society's most sacred bonds if we lack an intimate, accurate understanding of both love and sin.

The historical and modern fractures in our world need a category vast enough to make sense of our vast present pain. We need sociology and psychology to help us understand our fractures, but it is theology that places them in their true and larger context. It might sound strange to say this, but we need sin. We can't talk about ourselves or our society accurately without it.

In her book
A Failure to Love Speaking of Sin

" Good and Beautiful and Kind is a peaceful, gracious, and wise formulation of what it looks like to follow Jesus in a world ripping apart by a lack of love, by systemic powers, and by our own woundedness. Give yourself a retreat to spend time with this beautiful book." -Rev. Canon Dr. Scot McKnight, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary-Jon Tyson, author of and pastor of Church of the City New YorkPropel Women ECPA 2021 Christian Book of the YearBlessed Broken GivenThou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics-Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, pastor of the Gathering Place and president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Beautiful Resistance
"We desperately need resources to heal the brokenness, deception, and deformation that has crept into the church. In this beautiful book, Rich Villodas lays out a vision, theology, framework, and life-giving practices to help us restore our integrity . . ." -Christine Caine, founder of A21
and
"This book is a gift to us all! Rich not only identifies the fractures in our world and wounds in our souls, but he also provides a pathway to wholeness. In a broken and disillusioned world, these pages are full of hope and healing. You will discover that the ancient way of Jesus is actually the path to the future." -Latasha Morrison, founder and CEO of Be the Bridge, and the New York Times bestselling author of Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation,
-Glenn Packiam, pastor and author of
"Reconciliation and justice require new frameworks and practices to reach the next generation. In this book, Rich Villodas has given us a path toward goodness, beauty, and kindness when we are rooted in the way of Jesus." The Resilient Pastor and hopelessness. Thankfully, there are servant leaders like Pastor Rich Villodas who don't pretend to have all the answers and yet are not afraid to invite us to walk 'a better way.'" -Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, and author of Good and Beautiful and Kind, Rich charts, with masterful insight and pastoral clarity, both the root causes of the disease of our time and the spiritual antidotes that can lead to wholeness. For those of us praying, longing, and waiting for wholeness, this is an answered prayer."

"If the church has any hope of recovering its radiance, it will be the result of the kind of deep work [Villodas] leads us to embrace here. This is a stunning book with significant power to reshape our world...if we let it." -Jemar Tisby, PhD, author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism --This text refers to the edition.

"It's not a secret that we are living in difficult and fractured times. Such times can be reasons for not just helplessness but more dangerously,

"This book is for all those who need a reminder that even when times seem dim, there is a path that leads to brightness and abundant life."

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Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World

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Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World - Kindle edition by Villodas, Rich, Voskamp, Ann. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World.

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About this book

Prayer is the source of Jesus's most astonishing miracles and the subject of Jesus' most audacious promises, and yet, most people - even most Bible-believing Christians - find prayer to be boring, obligatory, disappointing, confusing, or, most often, all of the above.

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools is your invitation to trade your conceptions and misconceptions about prayer for prayer in its purest form: a vital, sustaining, powerful connection with God that is more real and alive than you could have ever imagined. In these pages, Tyler Staton - author, pastor, and national director of 24-7 Prayer USA - addresses common roadblocks to prayer and gives you the confidence to come to God just as you are.

This book is perfect for people who are looking to deepen their devotion and are seeking to catch a fresh excitement about meeting with God in prayer.

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Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools - 24-7 Prayer International

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Tyler Staton's new book Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools is an invitation to the wonder and mystery of prayer.

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The Repentance Project exists to encourage racial healing by communicating the systemic legacies of slavery, building relationships, and creating opportunities-through formation, repentance, and repair-for a just future.

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Repentance Project - Recognize. Repent. Respond.

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We believe that the story of Jesus has the power to transform people and entire communities.

Your generous support helps us continue making biblical resources for our growing global audience.

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Study the Story of the Bible With Free Tools

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Learn the Bible with media tools that guide individuals and groups in studying its story. Use our videos and other free online resources.

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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Apple)

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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Apple)

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Welcome to Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast with Ruth Haley Barton. In each 30-minute episode you will discover how forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God in the midst of leading is the best thing you bring to leadership! Visit www.transformingcenter.org for additional resources for pastors, Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve.

Welcome to Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast with Ruth Haley Barton. In each 30-minute episode you will discover how forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God in the midst of leading is the best thing you bring to leadership! Visit www.transformingcenter.org for additional resources for pastors, Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve.

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strengthening the soul of your leadership with ruth haley barton

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‎Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton on Apple Podcasts

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Welcome to Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast with Ruth Haley Barton. In each 30-minute episode you will discover how forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God in the midst of leading is the best thing you bring to leadership! Visit www.transformingcenter.org for addit...

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Christian spiritual disciplines are all the rage, and joining the legions of "how-to" books reintroducing contemporary Christians to ancient practices is this offering by Barton, a spiritual director and retreat leader ( Invitation to Solitude and Silence ). With elegant writing and a personal touch, she covers the basics handily-the role of desire and longing in relationship with God, praying with scripture, and the need for solitude, self-examination, discernment and Sabbath. She concludes with an exercise that helps one develop a "rule of life," or commitment to "structure and space for our growing." What makes Barton's handbook different from the rest is her personality; she describes the practices with the gentle touch of an understanding and knowing mystic, telling her own stories along the way. Barton recounts the time she and her bicycle were run over by a minivan (miraculously, she was not seriously hurt) and as she recuperated, she pondered whether this accident was a time to reconsider her need for Sabbath: "I did not want to acknowledge the possibility that it was that hard for God to get my attention." This book is a wonderful starting point for Christians eager to more deeply explore the life of the Spirit. (Mar. 30)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"Blessed is the person who has some voice in her or his life saying what Ruth Haley Barton says. Sacred Rhythms is a book I have treasured."

-- Trey Turner, The Baptist Standard, June 9, 2008

"[Barton] describes the practices with the gentle touch of an understanding and knowing mystic."

"Ruth Haley Barton offers much wise, sane, concrete help for people who are ready for the 'more' of God amidst their busy lives, and want a better way to arrange their lives to receive God's transforming presence. She clearly spells out an excellent rhythm of classical spiritual practices that can keep us open and available to God's transforming actions in and among us. She grounds these practices in our own deepest desires, connecting those desires with God's desire for our well-being. She shares some of her own personal experiences as a sometimes struggling Christian in an honest and inspiring way. She gives very helpful guidelines for using the book within a group of people who are seeking to create better conditions in their lives to receive God's transforming presence.
I think this book will be of enormous value to individuals and groups who are seeking to more fully ground all dimensions of their often fragmented and hectic daily lives in the liberating ground of God's transforming presence, with the help of a rhythm of vital spiritual practices that can keep us available to that loving presence."

-- Tilden Edwards, author of Sabbath Time and Living in the Presence

"Our natural tendency is to push, work longer and strive. In a kind, compelling and beautiful voice Ruth Haley Barton invites us to listen to an inner pulse that can be heard only when we are quiet. The path is one that Ruth has walked with honesty and integrity. The fruit of her labor is a sweet call to know our lives need not be harried or harbor fruitless exhaustion."

-- Dan B. Allender, Ph.D., professor and former president, Mars Hill Graduate School, and author of The Wounded Heart

"Ruth Barton confirms what you've suspected―there is more to life than what most of us are living. This volume serves as a great primer for helping us get in touch with and follow our longings―all the way to God!"

-- Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future and A Work of Heart

"Too many people are suffering with CFS (Christian Fatigue Syndrome). Ruth Haley Barton is herself a CFS survivor, and she shares here―in a warm and personal yet lucid and thoughtful writing style―how she has been restored to life's sacred rhythms. My experience mirrors hers, and I will enthusiastically recommend this book widely―both as preventative medicine and as needed therapy."

-- Brian McLaren, speaker and author of A New Kind of Christian

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Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation (Transforming Resources)

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Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation (Transforming Resources) [Barton, Ruth Haley] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation (Transforming Resources)

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Study Guides are written materials and videos that you can work through at your own pace

Study Guides are often materials for Classes or will become Classes

We can coach you to lead these materials in your own context - let us know using the form below on the bottom of this page

If you're getting to know Jesus, exploring why he is real, important, and personally knowable, our Why Jesus? Study Guide can help. The 101 level introduces the basics about Jesus and his invitation to you. The 201 level helps you explore Jesus' relevance and calling. The 301 level helps you place Jesus in the context of larger stories, both the biblical story and others. The 401 level helps you examine tough questions. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions.

God has a vision for relationship involving all things. God calls for human partnership to restore that vision. God's justice is restorative and centered in Jesus. Our Christian Restorative Justice Study Guide has 101, 201, and 301 level materials. It will help you understand and participate in God's restorative justice. The 101 level introduces you to four principles of justice (meritocratic-retributive; distributive; libertarian; restorative) and the secular inability to organize them while Christian faith does. The 201 level examines retributive vs. restorative justice as relates to the criminal justice system. The 301 level examines restorative justice more broadly to wealth and power.

The definition of the word "atonement" can be conveniently explained by sounding out its syllables. It means to make two parties "at one" with one another. In biblical language, "atonement" means that there is a problem in the relationship between human beings and God, which is resolved somehow. God takes the initiative to make "atonement." There were preliminary forms of "atonement" in the Old Testament, but the supreme act of "atonement" was made by Jesus of Nazareth. Our Healing Atonement Study Guide has 101, 201, and 301 level materials. It will help you understand Jesus' work to heal human nature from practical ministry angles (101), biblical interpretation (201), and early Christian history (301).

How Jesus Heals Your Self, Desires, and Emotions

Shame and Glory: How Jesus Heals Your Self, Desires, and Emotions is a curriculum for small group discussion or personal reflection. While healthy shame means regret, toxic shame is the desire to hide the self. Either way, glory is the response of God to invest Himself in us and renew His image in us. This material explores humanity as fundamentally good, but corrupted by sin, and not entirely in control of our own desires and emotions. Part of the spiritual and emotional struggle, then, is to know ourselves, know how God sees and loves us, and to receive into ourselves the Spirit of Christ. Peppered with insights from the early Christians, including some "desert fathers and mothers" who were the earliest "spiritual directors." Shame and Glory contains a smaller series, The Emotions of God.

Not sure about the "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" binary? See the Study and Action Guide for Abortion Policy. The material is drawn from Mako Nagasawa's 2021 book, Abortion Policy and Christian Social Ethics in the United States. Session 1 examines Scripture, the early Christian approaches to this issue, what the science of embryology tells us about fetal development, and how Christians can and should support contraceptive care. Session 2 examines the relationship between poverty and the abortion rate, comparing the Roman Catholic wholistic approach following the Great Depression to the white evangelical retributive approach from the Reagan years. Session 3 examines the issue in restorative vs. retributive justice frameworks.

Contrasting the Earliest Christian Theology With High Federal Calvinist Theology & Why It Matters

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity likens theology to a map. When you travel, or offer directions, you want a map that is as faithful to the reality as possible. After all, if you have a bad map, you could get lost or drive right off a cliff. Good maps have been worked and reworked by many over the years. If you just relied on your own experience, then that's really limited; how much of the world can you experience yourself? Some say that theology is just a bunch of words that we argue about. Lewis says that, on the one hand, that is correct: A map is not the reality itself but only verbal expressions attempting to describe the reality. We worship and relate to God. And God cannot be reduced to words on a page. But, on the other hand, some statements are better at describing reality than others. Those statements have real value that will help us take a journey with God, into the activity and presence of God Himself.

Big Questions About God does a head-to-head comparison of quotes on the following topics: Who caused this mess? From what does Jesus save us? Can a loving God have a hell? What about the people who died before Jesus? Does God predestine people to hell? Why does God want our worship? What's my motivation to obey Jesus? Is God's justice restorative or retributive? And more.

Exploring Christian Mistakes About Race, Politics, and Justice in the United States

Searching for faithful ways of understanding and engaging our political and racial climate? Read and discuss A Long Repentance series of blog posts where we explore how Christian (mostly Protestant) heresies started and continue to influence our modern political and racial challenges. This includes the very notion of race itself, and how our modern economics, housing, schooling, and policing systems have been shaped. Christians must take responsibility for these heresies in the framework of repentance. We lead the material in online discussion groups, but you can use the study guide with the blog posts for personal reflection or discussion in your family, church, organization, etc.

This is our 11 part video series exploring Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, with references to The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and other books in the Legendarium. The story is a beautiful exploration of the character of God, the purposes of God described as a musical symphony where God wants apprentice musicians to learn and play their parts well, evil as dissonant music and redemption as musical reintegration, human being and human becoming, the addictive power of evil, the hero's journey and the defeat of evil as atonement and salvation, the possibility of created beings to become divine light-bearers, ethics and epistemology, lessons on power and politics, and how pagan virtue points to Christian faith, hope, and love.

Tolkien wrote to create a story that contained the languages he studied and invented or reconstructed, to create a pre-Christian myth for England, and to suggest an explanation for why the historic Angles converted to Christian faith so quickly. So his story foreshadows Jesus. Click here or on the graphic.

Questions for personal reflection or group discussion are included in each video.

This is our 5 part video series exploring Marvel's Black Panther. Dr. Vince Bantu, Assistant Professor of Church History at Fuller Seminary and Founder-Director of the Meachum School of Haymanot, joins Mako Nagasawa to appreciate the movies. We talk about church history, Christian ethics and theology, and the lessons we need to learn today.

The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., led by the Black Church, and some of the anti-imperial resistance movements in Africa, are part of a larger tapestry of Christian non-violent resistance movements. Wakanda was a "chosen people" like Israel in the Hebrew Bible, especially when we look at a human community in a garden land, who have received a divine from above, resulting in the power of women and more. Eric Killmonger's refusal to suffer again, especially for others, made him the tragic hero. This prompts us to face the biblical portrayal of human beings, too, and how Scripture portrays us as tragic heroes. Whereas T'Challa's willingness to be vulnerable and descend again and again made him the hero. Wakanda Forever shows us the importance of grieving and ritual, especially for leaders. Click here or on the graphic.

Questions for personal reflection or group discussion are included in each video.

If you are looking for something for your church small group to do over a 4 to 8 week period, consider these Guides. Study and Action Guides are designed for small group discussion on a relevant, modern-day issue; we connect them to Christian ethics and Christian restorative justice. We have Study and Action Guides on criminal justice, economics and finances, food and the environment, abortion policy, and more. The Guides follow the same structure. First, we examine an issue that has personal and policy importance. Second, we compare Scripture with another source or belief system, as related to the issue. Third, we consider suggestions for personal and/or policy action, and/or respond in a way best suited for your context.

The Book of Genesis is a magnificent work of literature which put forward a beautiful relational vision about God, creation, humanity, and the human vocation. In fact, Genesis regularly argued with the other creation stories of the Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean world about these things. Genesis also helps us understand human nature, our original fall into sin-sickness, and God's call to partner with Him in healing and restoring us, prior to the Sinai covenant, even as God laid the foundation for Jesus to come. Check out small group leader notes, messages, and other resources on Genesis and the whole Bible.

When Jesus called his first disciples, he called them to call others into his "Kingdom of God movement." Jesus developed their faith, character, desires, and skills into his mission to the entire world. He calls us, as well, to participate and take up the baton and pass it on. Matthew's Gospel is foundational to grasp Jesus as the new humanity for all humanity, but at the same time, to appreciate the Jewishness of Jesus. Check out devotional reflections, small group leader notes, messages, and other resources on Matthew and the whole Bible.

Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians

Paul grounded his response to the challenges at Corinth on the body. As Paul faced divisions and enmities that the Corinthian Christian community held, he taught on the corporate body of the church. When he faced sexual immortality, Paul reminded the Corinthians about what Jesus did with his own human body, and how he is the leading partner in the use of our bodies. Paul explained that Jesus' resurrected body anchors our hope and ethics of the body. Check out small group leader notes, messages, and other resources on 1 Corinthians and the whole Bible.

Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

If you let the apostle Paul sit down and talk about whatever he wanted to, you would get Ephesians. Unlike the other letters of Paul, Ephesians is not a response to specific problems or questions. He stressed Jesus' work of making us his new temple-people, his union with us by the Spirit, and our identity with him as he sits enthroned above all powers. Check out small group leader notes, messages, and other resources on Ephesians and the whole Bible.

Send Us Your Questions & Comments

We periodically lead online classes using these materials. We can also coach you to do so. Please let us know if you would be interested in either. Or, just let us know your questions and comments.

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If you're getting to know Jesus, exploring why he is real, important, and personally knowable, our Why Jesus? Study Guide can help. The 101 level introduces the basics about Jesus and his invitation to you. The 201 level helps you explore Jesus' relevance and calling.

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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Spotify)

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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Spotify)

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Season 21: Honest Advent | Week 2: Where is God in my Vulnerability?

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A lively dialogue with Ruth Haley Barton about forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God in the midst of leading. Learn more at www.transformingcenter.org.