A SPIRITUALITY OF SERVICE:
Reflections on a life-long journey of faith and work
among the world’s poor
by Jerry Aaker
GROUP DISCUSSION
How to Use This Book—Notes from the Author
Each chapter focuses on a distinct theme and concludes with a
reflection on the subject matter, often with quotes from other authors, followed by
a scripture text and a few questions. You can use the book in several ways. One is
for personal learning, private devotions and meditation. Second, the material can
be used for reflection and discussion in a group setting. After you have read each
chapter, I suggest the following:
- First, reread the short reflection at the end of each chapter, watching for your
reactions to the theme presented in the chapter as well as the thoughts put
forth in the reflection.
- Meditate on the Scripture passage by reading it slowly several times; taking a
few minutes of silence to notice what thoughts, images and prayers this text
stirs in your heart. If you are reading this in private, you may want to keep a
journal of your musings. In a group, individuals can share their thoughts and
images aloud.
- Use the questions to stimulate thoughts and discernment. Again, in private
this might lead to journaling or a time of silent meditation. In a group, allow
everyone, if they are so inclined, to respond to the question(s). Allow some
time for each person to share without interruption in an attitude of prayerful
listening.
In either case, you do not need to read the chapters in the sequence in which they
are printed in the book. You can pick and choose the themes that are most pertinent
and interesting. For groups, this will depend on the number of sessions you
plan to meet. For individual readers or for couples, I suggest that you read with
patience, perhaps taking one chapter a day and using the Scripture and questions
for daily devotions and reflection on your own spiritual journey.
Most likely, there are more themes and chapters than can be used during the typical
cycle of a study or prayer group. Thus, consider several options and be flexible.
For example, a study of the spiritual journey and personal disciplines might use
several chapters from Part 1: The Journey and Part 5: Developing a Rule of Life.
Or you may wish to have a series of sessions on spiritual practices by choosing five
or six chapters from Part 2: Spiritual Practices. Select several chapters from Part
3: Spirituality in Action for a series on themes of service and action in the world.
For themes and stories of faithful service, choose from Part 4: Encounters on the
Journey—or mix and match any of the themes that particularly interest you.
Suggestions for couple and group study
Why are groups studying this book together?
- The format is ready-made for group
exploration. It makes the leader’s job easy.
- Each chapter includes scripture texts,
thought provoking quotations and open
ended answer-it-yourself questions that
encourage group discussion.
- The author’s personal observations
encourage group members to reflect on heir own experiences, and the format
encourages an easy, accepting style of
group interaction.
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Options for use with groups:
- Potpourri —A series of sessions on
spirituality and discernment. Group
members select topics of most interest.
- Lenten Study —A weekly study of
various spiritual practices.
- Peace and Justice —Discussions of
themes related to service and social
justice for the poor.
- Meditation —A reflective meditation
group using an adaptation of lexio divina.
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An adult education class:
I led an eight-week guided reading and
conversation, adult Sunday school class,
using this book. We did not read thechapters in any specific order. Rather
the group chose topics of interest. The
Reflection and Meditation sections at
the end of each chapter are excellent,
relevant, and thought provoking. I
continue to use the book to help me
journal and respond more deeply to the reflections and insights
it offers.
Carolyn Kelly, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Amarillo, Texas |
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A men’s weekly book group:
Grumpy Elderly Men of Advent Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin
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Fifteen retired men meet weekly to discuss books of spiritual,
ethical and cultural relevance. During each of the eight weeks
we spent using A Spirituality of Service as our focus, we began
by inviting each person to share the most meaningful spiritual
insight he had gained from that week’s reading. Sometimes we
barely got around the whole group once in the allotted 90 minutes.
This experience changed the way we interact with each other and
generated a sense of deep friendship. As a result we scheduled an
overnight retreat to share our life stories with each other. |
Why are many individuals using
A Spirituality of Service for
personal reflection?
Because the book . . .
- Invites you to walk alongside the author and reflect
on your own journey and spiritual understandings
- Offers 35 topics related to spirituality
- Prompts reflection on each subject followed by a
scripture text and in-depth questions for discussion
and meditation
- Helps you to slow down to read and to reflect
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Gregory Rake, a Christian
working with landless poor in India |
Personal devotions
This book is about walking
together—walking in a close
relationship with God, with
others and with creation.
Every morning for 30-odd
days I woke up and knew that
with my coffee I would have
another great conversation
with Jerry. Every day I
looked forward to taking this
“journey,” and I have kept a journal and prayed.
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A couple’s sharing
for devotions
and
spiritual growth:
My husband, Alan, and I
took one chapter at a time
and alternately read aloud
each paragraph. Then
we read the Reflection
section and moved into the
Meditation questions. Some
of the questions brought to
the surface thoughts we had never before put into words
and certainly had not discussed with each another. This
process provided us with a revealing and a wonderful
exercise in listening to one another.
Joanne and Allen Heggen
Madison, Wisconsin |
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Download the PDF with suggestions for use in groups
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