Sessions #4 & #5, "Building A Spiritual Direction Framework" [Reflections on the Jones text, posted by Dr. Nissley. Posts are due by 2/18 for these sessions.]POSTING TIP: Please consolidate your posts for Sessions #4 & #5 to add new material to your responses. This process will help to keep your posts for Sessions #4 & #5 from being scattered throughout the blog.[In order to focus our reflections on the 7 chapters of the Jones text, I will provide post prompts for each chapter.]
Chapter 1, Describe the role, substance, and place of spiritual direction in your church and life. Who nurtures this holy conversation in your life?
Before I answer this question, I have been thinkging about the people in my life that as stated on page5 , "have become Christ for us", My mother and father and siblings, especailly my oldest brother Jonathan, since I grew up in a Christian home. My Aunt, who mentored me as a young adult. In college I rember one prophesor in particular that took an interested in my spiritula growth.
In My Church it has been pastors, first Pastor LW, then Pastor DM, then Pastor DE. The both offered a listening ear as to my own questions about discernment and encouraged me to persue studies and persue the development of my skills. One pastor, when I asked if I may have some time talking with him, actually made a special space, a Holy Space, to invited God into our conversation. Page 10 states, the at "Every request for spiritual direction is really the desire for a companion on the pilgrimage." My hsband has become that companion with me as we discuss, were God is leading us as a couple. His encouragement of me in my studies have been tremendous.
Chapter 2, Explain the 6 components of your Theological World.
I took the questionair at the end of the book and the scores reveal that my Theological world is first World 1, the feeling of longing, for the more, beyond anything that ordinary living seems able to fulfill. Life seems like a quest to understand the Mystery of the Whole, yet sometimes it would seem enough simple to be enfolded by it." (pg 53). Mys second World is % yet it doesn't seem to describe my experience, yes, I understand suffering, and feel the heaveninss of the world, but I am not overwhelmed by it because I have hope adn Yes Jesus is my companion and epipahania is Endurance as integrity. I did not agree with the description oas stated on page 55 os "worn down to a cynical fatigue". I do like the song listed on the next chapter, as world 5 Hope as glorification- "when the Roll is called Up Yonder."
I will be answering these questions one chapter at a time. Thanks
Chapter 3, I experienced discipleship in the context of an Anabaptist--Sect Type of Faith Community. Share your discipleship experience with characteristics of either Sect or Church, or possibly a blend as depicted in the Wesleyan Model in the text. What were the strengths and weaknesses in your Faith Community's spiritual direction process.
Chapter 4, Reflect upon the spiritual direction technique demonstrated by the Desert Fathers in name and release the distractions in contemplation (p. 119). Post after you have practiced this technique during your personal formation such as a Lectio Divina.
Chapter 5, Select one spiritual mode that you feel called to practice. Don't push your self, allow your self to feel at ease and relaxed in God's presence. Post your reflections on this experience.
Chapter 6, Select an aphorism that connects with your journey. Post a reflection.
Chapter 7, Envision and describe a model of spiritual direction that release renewal in your congregation. How does this model reflect a biblical pattern?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Thanks Lydia for your diligence in posting answers as chronos permits. Your certainly are encouraged to differ or agree with the texts, class peers, and me. The learning curve increases as we differ and sharpen one another in the journey. Our blog class is gracious and has demonstrated speaking the truth in love when differing or providing insights with the class.
Post a Comment