Dietrich Bonhoeffer states the following: Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community. Alone you stood before God when he called you; alone you had to answer that call; alone you had to struggle and pray; and alone you will die and given an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out. If you refused to be alone you are rejecting God’s call to you, and you can have no part in the community of those who are called. “The challenge of death comes to us all, and no one can die for another. Everyone must fight his own battle with death by himself, alone… I will not be with you then, nor you with me” (Luther).

But the reverse is also true: Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into the community you were called, the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone, even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you. “If I die, then I am not alone in death; if I suffer, they [the fellowship] suffer with me” (Luther)

The six-week class offers lessons on the following topics:

Dr. David Wray will teach this class on the role of community in our spiritual formation. Dr. Wray teaches another course in Selah’s year-long Journey in the Contemplative Spiritual Disciples entitled “Transformation through Scripture.” You can read his bio on the team page here.

Register Here!

Note: You are welcome to sign up for this single class or join us for the year’s Contemplative journey of six classes. You can begin with any class. If you have questions, please contact us at info@selahspiritual.com