Sacred Rhythms Bible Study Participant's Guide: Spiritual Practices that Nourish Your Soul and Transform Your Life - Softcover

Barton, Ruth Haley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310328810 ISBN 13: 9780310328810

Publisher: HarperChristian Resources, 2011

Synopsis

Drawing on the imagery of the natural rhythms of the created order, Sacred Rhythms explores the practices that spiritual seekers and growing disciples have used throughout history to grow closer to God. In a similar way, the disciplines of the spiritual life are the basic components of the rhythm of intimacy that feeds the soul, keeping Christians open and available to God’s surprising initiative in their lives.

In this six session video-based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Ruth Haley Barton provides guidance for you and your group in a way that links the disciplines of the Christian faith to the most compelling desires of the human soul. Each of the following sessions offers specific practices that allow you to experience each discipline and incorporate it into your life.

Sessions include:

1. Longing for More
2. Creating Space for God
3. Engaging the Scriptures
4. Flesh and Blood Spirituality
5. Bringing My Whole Self to God
6. A Rule of Life

Designed for use with the Sacred Rhythms Video Study (sold separately).

About this title

From the Back Cover

Sacred Rhythms explores the practices that spiritual seekers and growing disciples have used throughout history to grow closer to God. Far from a heavy-handed, rigid approach to the spiritual life, Sacred Rhythms draws on the imagery of the natural rhythms of the created order. The ebb and flow of the ocean waves and tides and the changing of the seasons provide predictable rhythm and regularity to the created order, yet they are also full of infinite variety and beauty. The rhythm of a good beat makes music and dancing one of the most delightful and spontaneous experiences we enjoy, yet we must learn to master the basic notes and movements if we wish to fully enter in. In a similar way, the disciplines of the spiritual life are the basic components of the rhythm of intimacy that feeds and nourishes the soul, keeping us open and available to God's surprising initiative in our lives. When we are in touch with our deepest longings, we are compelled to seek out ways of living---rhythms of daily life---that match those desires. In this six session DVD curriculum, Ruth Haley Barton provides practical guidance for individuals and groups that want to enter into the central disciplines of the Christian faith in a way that links them to the most consistent and compelling desires of the human soul. Each session offers video teaching as well as specific practices that allow you to experience each discipline and incorporate it into your everyday life. * Session 1, Longing for More covers the topic of our desire and the practice of prayer. * Session 2, Creating Space for God looks at the practice of solitude and silence. * Session 3, Engaging the Scriptures explores the ancient practice of lectio divina as a means of engaging the Scriptures. * Session 4, Flesh and Blood Spirituality will help you recognize the importance of the body and its affect upon our spiritual health and vitality. * Session 5, Bringing My Whole Self to God introduces the practice of self-examination and shows you how to begin a daily review of your life. * Session 6, A Rule of Life helps you to develop a plan for cultivating the rhythms and habits necessary for ongoing spiritual transformation in the days, weeks, months, and years of our lives. Only God can bring true and lasting transformation to our lives. But there are practices that we can develop and maintain in our lives that keep us open and available to the power of God. Sacred Rhythms is an invitation to recognize your deep spiritual hunger and develop a consistent way of life that opens you to the presence of God.

About the Author

Ruth Haley Barton is founder of The Transforming Center (www.thetransformingcenter.org), a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors and Christian leaders. A teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches including Willow Creek Community Church and is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms, and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0310328810
• ISBN 13: 9780310328810
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 96