Marjorie J. Thompson

Soul Feast

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:45:29 GMT

First released in 1995, this spiritual classic continues to be a bestseller, as thousands each year accept Marjorie Thompson's invitation to the Christian spiritual life. Offering a framework for understanding the spiritual disciplines and instruction for developing and nurturing those practices, Soul Feast continues to be a favorite for individual reflection and group study. Many new additions, including a new chapter on keeping the Sabbath, make this newly revised edition of Soul Feast a must-have.

This newly revised edition will include the following new or updated content:

An all-new introduction, reflecting on the book's twenty-year history and why it has remained so popular.
An all-new chapter on keeping the Sabbath, one of the most life-giving spiritual disciplines in a hurried 24/7 world. It will explore the importance of Sabbath time, and how readers can create space for it when the pace of life seems to be con¬tinually accelerating.
A significantly expanded "Rule of Life" chapter at the end of the book, based on numerous reader requests for more guidance on how to go about creating their own personal Rule.
Some refreshed sidebar quotations from spiritual writers to complement the best ones from the prior editions.
A revised group study guide to reflect the addition of new materials.

Compañerismo en Cristo Guía del líder

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:40:05 GMT

Compañerismo en Cristo, Libro del participante también está disponible para miembros de grupos pequeños.

Usted explorará a profundidad las Escrituras, aprenderá a escuchar a Dios por medio de ellas, y permitirá a su vida ser formada por la Palabra. Experimentará nuevas dimensiones de la oración, practicará nuevas formas de abrir su vida a Dios, y aprenderá lo que significa practicar la presencia de Dios. Usted reflexionará sobre el llamado de Cristo a su vida y descubrirá de nuevo los dones que Dios le ha dado para que lleve a cabo su ministerio personal.

Usted y los miembros de su grupo crecerán juntos como comunidad cristiana y adquirirán destrezas para dirigir grupos pequeños en la iglesia como espacios para la dirección espiritual.

Compañerismo en Cristo ofrece una poderosa experiencia de renovación a través de las prácticas espirituales que le ayudan a compartir más plenamente la vida de Cristo y traer lo que ha aprendido a todas las áreas de la vida de la iglesia. Esta jornada espiritual de 28 semanas le guiará a tener un tiempo diario con Dios por medio de las lecturas individuales y la meditación, y le permitirá reunirse semanalmente con otras personas de su comunidad de fe para participar en una exploración más profunda.

Compañerismo en Cristo provee oportunidades diversas y creativas para aprender las disciplinas espirituales de oración, lectura de la Escritura, estudio, adoración, ministerio y conferencia cristiana. En algunos momentos tendrá nuevas experiencias con la oración, descubrirá sus pensamientos y deseos más íntimos, y recordará dónde ha estado Dios presente de manera especial en su vida. En otros momentos, usted y los miembros de su grupo compartirán historias comunes, preguntas y descubrimientos en su relación con Cristo. Cada semana comenzará con una presentación interesante y desafiante por un escritor/a reconocido en el área de formación espiritual.

Los escritores de estas lecturas son Gerrit Scott Dawson, Adele González, E. Glenn Hinson, Rueben P. Job, Marjorie Thompson y Wendy M. Wright. Además de esa presentación, Compañerismo provee lecturas diarias de las Escrituras y preguntas para dirigirle en su meditación personal. La semana concluye con una sesión de dos horas donde usted puede compartir sus ideas, reflexionar junto a sus compañeros y compañeras y participar en una variedad de experiencias de aprendizaje como grupo.

Compañerismo en Cristo es uno de los recursos más versátiles y completos en el área de formación espiritual. Incorpora lo mejor de la tradición cristiana. Un aspecto único de esta experiencia es que su búsqueda y aprendizaje espiritual serán apoyados por otras personas en su grupo que son verdaderamente compañeras en Cristo.

Compañerismo en Cristo Libro del participante

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:39:54 GMT

Compañerismo en Cristo, Guía del líder también está disponible.

El libro del participante incluye 28 semanas de lecturas y ejercicios dividas en 5 secciones. Los temas de cada semana son presentados por autores reconocidos quienes tienen conocimientos amplios sobre cada tema. En estos capítulos introductorios, escritores como Gerrit Scott Dawson, Adele González, E. Glenn Hinson, Rueben Job, Marjorie Thompson y Wendy Wright combinan el testimonio personal con lo mejor de la tradición cristiana, para ofrecernos el trasfondo para los ejercicios de la semana. Después de la sección de introducción, usted encontrará cinco ejercicios que le ayudarán a meditar más profundamente sobre la temática de cada semana y a preparase para la reunión semanal del grupo. Los ejercicios combinan la lectura de la Escritura, practicas espirituales específicas, y preguntas para que usted reflexione y comente en su diario. Estos ejercicios deben tomarle unos 30 minutos cada día.

Compañerismo en Cristo Guía del líder - PDF

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:30:29 GMT

Compañerismo en Cristo, Libro del participante también está disponibles para miembros de grupos pequeños.

Usted y los miembros de su grupo crecerán juntos como comunidad cristiana y adquirirán destrezas para dirigir grupos pequeños en la iglesia como espacios para la dirección espiritual.

Compañerismo en Cristo Libro del participante - PDF

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:30:22 GMT

Compañerismo en Cristo, Guía del líder también está disponible.

The Way of Scripture Participant's Book

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:43:34 GMT

The Way of Scripture Leader's Guide is also available.

Join other committed Christians in an 8-week study (includes a preparatory session) designed to help you experience scripture as a place of transforming encounter with God. This Companions in Christ resource promotes the classical practice of lectio divina to develop patterns of being engaged by God in scripture. The following topics are addressed:

Scripture: A Place of Transforming Encounter
Silentio: Preparing to Be Read by Scripture
Lectio: Ingesting the Word
Meditatio: Wrestling with God
Oratio: Letting God Know How We Feel
Contemplatio: Abandoning Ourselves to God in Love
Incarnatio: The Word Becoming Flesh in Us

The Way of Scripture Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:42:41 GMT

The Way of Scripture Participant's Book is also available for small-group members.

Do you search the scriptures to validate your own beliefs and decisions, or do you allow the Word to search you? If you're looking for a deeper experience of God's Word, this study will support you in going beyond simple Bible study. You'll find ideas to help you lay aside preconceived notions and daily worries, creating a place for a transforming encounter with God.

The Leader's Guide for the 8-week small-group study provides the following:

The structure of each weekly 2-hour group meeting
A list of materials for all meetings
Simple worship suggestions for opening and closing the meetings
Instructions for facilitating shared insights and learning
A variety of practical approaches to lectio divina

Sessions address these topics:

Silentio: Preparing to Be Read by Scripture
Lectio: Ingesting the Word
Meditatio: Wrestling with God
Oratio: Letting God Know How We Feel
Contemplatio: Abandoning Ourselves to God in Love
Incarnatio: The Word Becoming Flesh in Us

The Way of Discernment Participant's Book

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:38:57 GMT

The Way of Discernment Leader's Guide is also available.

How do you discover God's guidance for personal and congregational decisions? Explore paths to clarity in The Way of Discernment, a 10-week study for small groups.

Who is this book designed for?

People yearning to hear the Holy Spirit's guidance
Individuals looking for direction in vocation or life changes
Church leaders seeking clarity about their congregation's distinctive mission
Christians searching for God's will in matters of belief, ethics, and faithful living

Part of the Companions in Christ series, The Way of Discernment offers a biblical, theological, and practical framework for understanding the practice of discernment. Sessions include

The Beckoning of Discernment
The Heart of Discernment
Fruit as Touchstones
Core Identity as Touchstone
Growing in the Gift
In the Hard Places
Communal Discernment: Beginnings
Communal Discernment: Going Farther
Elements of Perpetual Challenge
The All-Encompassing Audience

Exploring the Way Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:38:42 GMT

Exploring the Way Participant's Book is available for small-group members.

This user-friendly Leader's Guide provides complete guidance, content, and background material for each of the weekly meetings. Also included is general information about Christian spirituality and disciplines. It's the perfect condensed orientation to Companions in Christ! All weekly group gatherings follow the same basic outline:

Opening time of welcoming, centering, and worship (5 minutes)
Sharing insights from the week's spiritual exercises (10 minutes)
Teaching narrative (20 minutes)
Deeper explorations into a specific spiritual practice (20 minutes)
Closing worship (5 minutes)

Find the tools you need in this comprehensive Leader's Guide to make your group study both thought-provoking and full of lively discussion, including a full explanation of spiritual formation, a complete list of materials needed, and an outline for each session with suggestions for what to say.

The Way of Blessedness Participant's Book

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:33:21 GMT

The Way of Blessedness Leader's Guide is also available.

The Way of Blessedness invites readers to cultivate the dispositions of the soul as outlined in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which suit us for the reign of God while drawing us into its realm. Jesus portrays the reign of God in terms that are contrary to social hierarchy — in his time as well as our own. It is a realm of outlandish generosity and uncommon compassion. This is a 9-week study of the spiritual practices that help us turn away from pride and fill us with God's abundant love. As we're transformed by God's love, we're able to become people who mourn with and for others and our world, who understand and live out Jesus' example of meekness, who hunger and thirst for holiness, who humbly offer and receive mercy, whose hearts are pure and able to see the imprint of God in all things, who seek peace, and who hold strong in our faith through adversity. The Way of Blessedness guides participants along a path that offers clarity to our way of life and the very life of God's kingdom.

Family the Forming Center

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:27:41 GMT

The first place most of us experience God and learn the values that shape our lives is within the family. Is it any wonder, then, that all manner of current social ills are blamed on the disintegration of family life?

Children need to see that the spiritual life is significant to their parents at home as well as at church. If your home life differs from the image you present at church, your kids will see faith as contrived and irrelevant.

In this revised and expanded edition, Thompson suggests models, rituals, and celebrations that will inspire your children to grow spiritually and will help center your family on God. Family the Forming Center will help you, as parents, develop close family relationships filled with God's love, trust, and values.

The Way of Grace Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:24:47 GMT

The Way of Grace Participant's Book is also available for small-group members.

The Way of Grace Leader's Guide provides all the tools you need to guide small groups through this 9-week journey. You'll reflect on "the way of grace" in our lives through the lens of 8 encounters between Jesus and various people described in John's Gospel. In the guide you'll find:

An explanation of spiritual formation
A description of the leadership skills called for when leading formational groups
A complete list of materials needed for each weekly meeting
Weekly outlines with full content for opening worship, sharing of insights, deeper explorations, and closing worship

The Way of Forgiveness Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:20:20 GMT

The Way of Forgiveness Participant's Book is also available for small-group members.

The Way of Forgiveness Leader's Guide provides everything you need to lead small groups through this 8-week study. This guide includes step-by-step instructions for each of the weekly sessions. It also includes information to help you develop the distinct skills needed when leading spiritual formation groups. A Weekly Needs at a Glance list helps streamline your preparation. Session topics include:

Living in God's Blessing
Releasing Shame and Guilt
Facing Our Anger
Receiving God's Forgiveness
Forgiving Others
Seeking Reconciliation
Becoming the Blessed Community

The Way of Prayer Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:18:06 GMT

The Way of Prayer Participant's Book is also available for small-group members.

Everything you need to guide a small group on a 10-week journey into the heart of prayer is contained in this Leader's Guide. Find the practical help you need:

Ideas for a session to introduce the resource to participants
A list of Weekly Needs at a Glance
Detailed instructions for leading 10 weekly meetings

Help your group members become the people God wants them to be through this study. By exploring the nature of prayer and a variety of its forms, participants will discover expressions of prayer that draw them closer to God and give them a deeper sense of spiritual vitality. Sessions address these topics:

How Do You Pray?
Images of God
Praying by Heart
Praying with Music
Praying by Gaze
Praying with Our Bodies
Scriptural Prayer
Contemplative Prayer
Praying with and for Others
Prayer and Social Transformation

The Way of Forgiveness Participant's Book

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:14:17 GMT

The Way of Forgiveness Leader's Guide is also available.

It takes a lot of willingness and practice to see life from God's perspective. Perhaps nothing goes more against the grain of human nature than forgiving those who wound us and accepting forgiveness from others. But practicing forgiveness will transform your life and help you grow in the heart and mind of Christ. In The Way of Forgiveness, an 8-week small-group study, MarjorieThompson examines shame, guilt, and anger, helping you release these emotions so you can move toward wholeness. She also deals with the topics of receiving God's forgiveness, forgiving others, and seeking reconciliation.

Thompson gives guidance for such ticklish questions as: Does forgiveness mean release from consequences of sin? Are there no limits to forgiveness? How do we deal with absent offenders or people who refuse to forgive us? A unique feature of this book is the inclusion of a reproduction of Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son. Over the course of the study, the artwork will serve as a focal point for reflection and discovery.

Embracing the Journey, Participant's Book, Vol. 1

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:11:38 GMT

A revised Companions in Christ Leader's Guide, containing a "Getting Started Guide" and new plans for a closing retreat, is also available.

Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ focuses on an exploration of spiritual formation as an individual and corporate journey toward wholeness and holiness through the grace of God. This book is the first segment of a five-volume study of the original 28-week Companions in Christ resource. The 5-piece participant series is designed for groups that will take breaks between the other four volumes:

Feeding on the Word (scripture)
Deepening Our Prayer (prayer)
Responding to Our Call (vocation)
Exploring Spiritual Guidance (spiritual companionship)

OPTION: Groups that wish to experience an uninterrupted 28-week study of Companions in Christ should order Companions in Christ Participant's Book in 1 Volume.

The Way of Discernment Leader's Guide

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:08:27 GMT

The Way of Discernment Participant's Book is also available for small-group members.

This guide provides everything you need to prepare and lead small-group studies. The Way of Discernment provides:

Principles of personal and group discernment
Daily exercises to help you move from information to experience
Weekly meeting plans designed for group sharing and worship
Penetrating questions to aid the process of discernment

The 10-week study focuses on the ancient spiritual discipline of discernment for individuals, congregations, or larger bodies of the church. In addition to a preparatory meeting, sessions include:

The Beckoning of Discernment
The Heart of Discernment
Fruit as Touchstones
Core Identity as Touchstone
Growing in the Gift
In the Hard Places
Communal Discernment: Beginnings
Communal Discernment: Going Farther
Elements of Perpetual Challenge
The All-Encompassing Audience

The Leader's Guide contains step-by-step instructions for sessions and a list of materials needed for the weekly group meetings.

Companions in Christ Participant's Book in 1 Volume

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:08:11 GMT

A revised Companions in Christ Leader's Guide, containing a "Getting Started Guide" and new plans for a closing retreat, is also available.

This revised edition combines the first five Companions in Christ Participant's Books in one volume. If you're considering Companions in Christ for your church, begin with this book. This one-volume introduction to Companions in Christ moves through an uninterrupted 28-week study of five topics:

spiritual formation
scripture
prayer
vocation
spiritual companionship

This Participant's Book is recommended for groups that will continue their study together for the full 28 weeks.

Companions in Christ offers a powerfully transforming small-group experience in opening yourself to God's presence and guidance. Explore classic spiritual practices, and develop new daily patterns that will open your life to a deepening relationship with God and with your group.

ALTERNATE OPTION: Also available are separate Participant's Books for each of the 5 topics mentioned above, which gives your group a chance to take a break between study modules:

Embracing the Journey (spiritual formation)
Feeding on the Word (scripture)
Deepening Our Prayer (prayer)
Responding to Our Call (vocation)
Exploring Spiritual Guidance (spiritual companionship)

Companions in Christ Leader's Guide (Revised)

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:01:52 GMT

Companions in Christ Participant's Book in 1 Volume is available for small-group members.

Companions in Christ Leader's Guide is designed to develop you as a leader in guiding the spiritual life of your congregation. This resource gives you an overview of the Christian spiritual life and the practices that help people enter into the formative pattern of Christ's life: a life of prayer, study and service. Help your small-group members move from information (knowledge about) to experience (knowledge of) in the means of grace — ways in which Christ meets people, renews their faith, and deepens their life together in love.

This revised Leader's Guide provides detailed guidance for leading a small group through the 28 weekly sessions. The plans have been tested and refined by groups in churches across the country. This book contains all you need, including:

the Getting Started Guide, which was formerly a separate piece
a revised plan for a Closing Retreat
Weekly Needs at a Glance
page references for both the comprehensive 1-volume Participant's Book and the new 5-volume series

"I found that the Leader's Guide was complete, easy to use, and filled with a vast wealth of worship experiences and leadership tools," writes one Companions in Christ group leader. "I haven't found this content in other resources." Lead your group deeper into the heart and mind, the work and spirit, and the very life of Jesus Christ!

Exploring the Way Participant's Book

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:00:14 GMT

Exploring the Way Leader's Guide is also available.

Do you long for something more? Maybe you can't explain your yearning, but you want to make a difference in the world, and you're never quite satisfied with your life. You're not alone. Even people raised in church can feel disconnected from God.

Exploring the Way will help you understand and deepen your experience of God. You'll be able to ask questions about issues and faith in a safe place. You'll discover (or rediscover) a way of grace, joy, and peace — indeed, the way of Christ himself. Ideal for the novice and veteran alike, this book defines and explains the most basic concepts and language of the Christian spiritual life: prayer, the Bible's message for our lives today, spiritual gifts, listening, journaling, and much more. It's the ultimate 6-week orientation to spirituality and the essential elements of faith. Sessions include:

Beginning the Journey
Sharing the Adventure
Bread for the Journey (Scripture)
Drink for the Journey (Prayer)
Companions on the Way
Reaching Out in Love

Stories, scripture, and exercises in each chapter will help connect your beliefs with daily experiences. Through independent and group study, you'll establish a rhythm of daily time with God, weekly time in Christian community, and a lifelong attentiveness to possibilities for serving the world. Feed your hungry soul, and use both your head and your heart while rejuvenating your own spiritual journey.