A Spiritual Formation Workbook: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth/a Renovare Resource for Spiritual Renewal [Paperback]

James Bryan Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1993

A RENOVAR resource for spiritual renewal--This beginning workbook for Spiritual Formation Groups features guidelines for starting up, study plans for the first eight sessions, and a questionnaire that helps map the way ahead.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In such small, intimate groups, people are finding themselves, finding each other, and finding God." -- -- George H. Gallup, Jr. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

"In such small, intimate groups, people are finding themselves, finding each other, and finding God."--George H. Gallup, Jr.

This beginning workbook for Spiritual Formation Groups features guidelines for starting up, study plans for the first eight sessions, and a questionnaire that helps map the way ahead.

Based upon five major dimensions of the spiritual life found in the life of Christ and Christian traditions: The Contemplative Tradition; The Holiness Tradition; The Charismatic Tradition; The Social Justice Tradition; and The Evangelical Tradition, this workbook program provides all the necessary ingredients to start and keep running a Spiritual Formation Group.

Christian in stance and ecumenical in breadth, RENOVAR (from the Latin, meaning "to renew") is an infrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the church. Founded by best-selling spiritual writer Richard J. Foster, RENOVAR provides individual churches with a balanced, practical, effective small-group strategy for spiritual growth. The aim of the program is to give depth to the human desire for God.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Harper San Francisco; Revised edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060669659
• ISBN-13: 978-0060669652
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,913,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Bryan Smith (M.Div., Yale University Divinity School, D.Min., Fuller Seminary) is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, KS and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He also serves as the director of the Christian Spiritual Formation Institute at Friends University.

A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. Smith is also the author of A Spiritual Formation Workbook, Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven and Room of Marvels.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for an Excellent Resource for Your Small Group?, March 9, 2004

By 

R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Spiritual Formation Workbook - Revised edition: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth (Paperback)

YOU FOUND IT! I don't know of a better small group resource. I've been through this workbook several different times with several different groups, everything from teens to pastors. I've always been pleased.

Two aspects of this study sticks out to me.

First, the wealth of companion material from Renovare. You will not run out of ways to challenge the members of your small group.

Second, the respect that is shown for believers in different Christian traditions. Renovare is distinctly and unashamedly Christian. It is not popular philosophy dressed up in Christian language. Yet, this book, as with other Renovare resources, value the distinctives that make up the different major themes in Christian thought. This could cause discomfort for those who are locked into a very narrow version of the faith.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning Balance in the Christian Walk, March 19, 2000

By 

Barbara E. Folkes (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Spiritual Formation Workbook: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth/a Renovare Resource for Spiritual Renewal (Paperback)

This book will help you discover where you need more balance in your Christian walk. As you learn to practice the 6 different traditions; social, contemplative, holiness, charismatic, evangelical, and incarnational, your walk with the Lord will become more balanced. This has been a life-changing study for me!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars transformational living, October 8, 2005

By 

Lynn Ann Huizingh - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Spiritual Formation Workbook - Revised edition: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth (Paperback)

I have been utilizing this book in my own spiritual journey for the last 4 years. The growth and depth of relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ is amazing and truly transforming.

I am the director of a leadership development program for my denomination. We are now utilizing this book as a part of our training with wonderful results. The students have all commented on the deepening of their relationships with each other and most especially a new understanding and deepening of their relationship with Christ. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is serious about becoming a devoted disciple of Christ.