It is often the case that we want guidance on our spiritual journey rather than the haphazard practice of learning in bits and pieces. Join us for a year of guided study in the classic Christian spiritual disciplines: scripture, prayer, silence and solitude, and simplicity along with a few other supportive topics. Each course is $79 or $395 for all six if paid in one installment. The sequence can be started at any time. Following are a list of the courses included:

Transformation Through Scripture

Dr. David Wray teaches this course on the manner in which we interact with Scripture for transformation rather than simply information. He says that reading the Bible for, “Life with God,” as Foster describes it, is not about just gaining knowledge or information. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand that we are to love God with our heart, soul and mind. God gave us minds to understand the meaning of Scripture and our relation with him See more».

Contemplative Prayer Practices

Contemplative prayer increases our awareness of God’s presence. When I live with this constant awareness, I live in a way that manifests God’s love. They are part of the paradox of growing deeper in our relationship with God. There is nothing that I can do to deepen this relationship. It is all gift from God. However, we can make ourselves available for God’s shaping. This is the function of contemplative prayer. The various forms offer tools to assist us in being still and allowing God to shape us. Join Dr. Jackie Halstead for six weeks and six prayer forms that will help us be increasingly open to God. See more»

Silence and Solitude

The analogy is given of one running in a river. As long as one continues to move, the mud is stirred up and the water is cloudy. However, when the person stands still, the silt settles and the water becomes clear. Thus it is with life with God. As long as we allow it, the franticness of life keeps us in a cloudy state. When we are still, the silt of our lives settles and we are able to listen and to see clearly. This class will be an education and experience in silence and solitude with God. See more».

Simplicity

The discipline of simplicity is included in all writings of the ancient church mothers and fathers. What must we do to live simply in an increasingly complex world? Together we will explore both external and internal simplicity–the manner in which we simplify our material possessions as well as simplify the chaos in our minds and hearts. See more».

Art and Spirituality

We are holistic beings–heart, mind, soul, and body. Yet we compartmentalize and deny ourselves the rich spiritual experience that God can give us through the arts. The beauty and impact of the arts will be explored in this series. See more».

Communal Spirituality

The triune God created us to be in relationship. This is part of the imago dei and is the manner in which God can use us as instruments in this world. Although it is imperative that we incorporate time alone with God into our lives, we cannot sustain a deep intimacy with God without a community of faith. Our spiritual journey was not meant to be a solipsistic exercise. This study in the role of community in our spiritual development rounds out the discussion on the needed components by which we progress on our journey with God. Dr. David Wray will guide this six-week course. See more».