Learning from Jesus: A Spiritual Formation Guide
by Julia L. Roller, Lynda L. Graybeal
How do we become a student of the Master?
To Christians, Jesus is many things: the Son of God, the pivotal figure in whom we put our trust and who speaks on our behalf, a companion in the life of faith. But Jesus is also an incredible example of how to lead a faithful life. Jesus, as a human, walked on earth and confronted the same struggles that we face. Our primary mission as his followers is to learn from him – to become his apprentices. In this book we seek to further our apprenticeship by studying everything from Jesus’s interactions with those around him to the revolutionary wisdom recorded in the Gospels.
Learning from Jesus is organized for individual or group study, and includes chapters on: Expecting the Messiah • And the Word Became Flesh … • Experiencing the Second Birth • Redefining Blessedness • Freeing the Sabbath • Feasting on the Word • Confronting the Powers • Welcoming Us into Community • Living Abundance • Balancing Mary and Martha • Bearing the Cross • Abiding in Christ. Each section of this Guide leads you further down the path to true discipleship.
The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Guides, created by Richard J. Foster and the team that developed The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible and the longstanding A Spiritual Formation Workbook, provide tangible lessons that help us become spiritually formed, conformed, and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Geared for either individual study or use in small groups with chapter structure similar to A Spiritual Formation Workbook, each Renovaré Spiritual Formation Guide explores one facet of our life with God, providing readings from Scripture as well as classic and contemporary works of spirituality. The combination of readings, reflection questions, exercises, and activities makes these books invaluable interactive guides that prompt true spiritual growth. And they are a tremendous resource for connecting Scripture study with larger spiritual formation ideas and themes.
2006
About the Authors
Julia Roller is an author, editor, and speaker. Her books include Mom Seeks God, A Year with God (with Richard J. Foster), A Year with Aslan, and 25 Books Every Christian Should Read. Julia has spoken to dozens of women’s and MOPS groups all over southern California and is currently the MOPS coordinator at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church. Her writing has appeared in Today’s Christian Woman, The San Francisco Chronicle, Group, Rev!, and Children’s Ministry. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband, three children, and miniature dachshund, where she can usually be found driving someone to a sports field, burning the garlic bread, or turning socks the right way out at the washing machine. www.juliaroller.com
Lynda L. Graybeal, B.A., M.A., has worked with Richard J. Foster, the founder of The Chrysostom Society, since 1983, has organized and facilitated its meetings, and continues to contribute time and energy to its success. Her many interests include working part-time for Richard and Renovaré, reading, gardening, visiting family and friends, and teaching biblically-based studies. She and her husband, Phil, live in Canyon, Texas.