Companions in Christ is a powerfully transforming small-group experience that builds spiritual practices within congregations, helping participants open more fully to God and to one another. This 28-week spiritual journey will draw you into daily relationship with God through individual reading and reflection, and will gather you weekly with others in your faith community for deeper exploration.

Companions in Christ provides diverse, imaginative settings for learning spiritual practices that open you to God's reality and transforming presence. In some settings, you experience solitary reflection and personal time with God. In other settings, you experience the richness of community sharing, as common stories, questions, and experiences are explored with other believers. Companions in Christ draws these personal and small-group experiences together in a unique and life-changing process.

Each week begins with an inviting and stimulating reflection by a recognized spiritual author. Over the next five days, scripture passages and questions guide you through your own reflections, as you note important insights in a journal. The week closes with a two-hour group session where you can share insights, reflect together, and take part in a variety of group exercises. Some of these exercises are inwardly focused, while others call for hands-on creativity. Blended together over 28 weeks, they contribute to the richness of the Companions in Christ experience.

The Companions in Christ Pilgrimage

After a Preliminary Meeting, Companions in Christ participants pass through five different parts:

Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ (five weeks) - an exploration of spiritual formation as a journey toward wholeness and holiness, individually and in community, through the grace of God
Feeding on the Word: The Mind of Christ (five weeks) - an introduction to several ways of meditating on and praying with scripture
Deepening Our Prayer: The Heart of Christ (six weeks) - a guided experience of various classic forms and styles of prayer
Responding to Our Call: The Work of Christ (five weeks) - a presentation of gifts and call, giving ourselves to God in willing obedience, and receiving the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit
Exploring Spiritual Guidance: The Spirit of Christ (five weeks) -- an overview of different ways of giving and receiving spiritual guidance, from one-on-one relationships with a spiritual guide, to spiritual growth groups, to guidance in congregational life

This study does not meet during Spring 2007

eContact: adultministry

Thanks to Upper Room for study summaries