Companions on the Journey: Foundational Spiritual Practices
Ebook
This six-part study introduces participants to foundational spiritual practices. It is structured to cultivate Christian covenant community, encouraging participants to build relationships with one another as they deepen their relationship with God. The introduction encourages participants to view discipleship as a lifelong journey, not merely a static set of beliefs. Using the journey of Abraham as an example, it provides an opportunity for participants to outline significant "stops" along their life's journey. The five practices include Scripture, prayer, generosity, evangelism (or witness), and service. In the Scripture session, participants read covenants from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures as relational documents that deepen our understanding of the relationship God desires with us. The prayer session outlines types of prayer, discusses obstacles to prayer, and introduces classic prayer forms. The generosity session highlights an ancient understanding of grace, encouraging participants to understand giving as an expression of their trust in God. The evangelism session encourages participants to view their lives as compelling narrative and provides a structure for crafting their spiritual autobiography. The final session, service, considers our role within the church and the world, providing a process for discernment by evaluating skills and passions in light of the needs around us.
“I love this study. It makes use of reflections and exercises
that deepen our relationship with God and create community among
participants—companionship on our journey. I especially appreciate
the thoughtful choice of Scripture readings, the insightful
comments about them, and the generative questions relating the
passages to our lives. I highly recommend this resource as a way
for small groups to engage key aspects of their spiritual life such
as prayer, generosity, and discipleship.”
—David Rhoads, Professor Emeritus in New Testament, Lutheran School
of Theology at Chicago
“Our congregation has been searching for a resource to introduce
spiritual practices and help to build deeper relationships, and
Pastor Leslie’s book fits the need. She has couched profound
practices into easily understood words and provided a resource that
lay leaders can use to facilitate groups that develop faith, engage
the Bible, learn to pray, give generously, tell others their faith
story, and serve their neighbors. I’m looking forward to using
it!”
—Peter S. Perry, Affiliate Assistant Professor in New Testament,
Fuller Theological Seminary-Arizona
“Tracey Leslie’s Companions on the Journey encourages both
individuals and groups to posture their lives toward growth in
Christ Jesus. Each participant will discover new depths of God’s
grace as each one partners with the Spirit of God to dig up and
cultivate the soil of one’s life. This resource is best appreciated
in the context of growing relationships of trust and
intimacy—mirroring God’s longing for relationship with each of
us.”
—Dan Gildner, Senior Pastor, Grace Church Perrysburg
“In Companions on the Journey, Reverend Tracey Leslie offers
a thoughtful opportunity for community building. Centered on the
idea of covenant, this group study meets a need for Christians to
find a way into closer relationship with both God and one another.
In a world struggling with isolation and self-absorption this book
shows a path to connection.”
—Shannon Stringer, Director of Leadership Development, Indiana
Conference, United Methodist Church
- Title: Companions on the Journey: Foundational Spiritual Practices
- Author: Tracey D. Leslie
- Publisher: Resource Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781532698347, 9781532698323, 9781532698330, 1532698348, 1532698321, 153269833X
- Resource ID: LLS:9781532698347
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-22T06:30:34Z
Tracey D. Leslie is a United Methodist clergywoman and a
certified spiritual director. Over her twenty-five years in
ministry, she has served churches of varying sizes in associate and
senior pastor roles, including a focus on discipleship. She
received her MDiv from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio,
and certification as a spiritual director through Benedict Inn in
Beech Grove, IN. She has also been a spiritual formation
facilitator at United Theological Seminary.