Patterns Illuminating How Jesus Opens the Heart:: A New Passage Through the Gospels

When placed and organized in chronological order, the four Gospels reveal the beautiful design of the method Jesus uses to teach his disciples and the world. Each lesson begins with an issue or challenge presented to Jesus, to which he gives opportunity for men and women to respond. After their response Jesus makes his response, and then goes on to make a concrete demonstration of the principles he teaches, in both physical and spiritual aspects. Once this remarkable design is recognized, it is possible to see that there are 32 discrete lessons that, amazingly, cluster themselves into groups of four. And the ‘little stories’ (parables) Jesus told also cluster themselves into groups of four that link to and build progressively upon one another, into three integrated sets of 16 stories each. Using a chronological Bible, this study guide offers four lessons each month to groups seeking a new way to read, explore and internalize the Gospels through a unique small group spiritual process, called Dialectio Communitas Divina, that involves reading selected text, self-reflection, prayer, pair dialogue, prayer, group conversation and prayer.The authors (husband and wife) offer their own reflections and prayers as a way to stimulate the readers to proceed similarly in response.