|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Books for house groups
|
leo
Shipmate
# 1458
|
Posted
Anyone got some ideas of useful books that house groups could follow in the absence of theologically trained leaders?
About half our congregations belong to house groups. They are liberal and reasonably well educated so simple or evangelical books wouldn't suit them.
Some lent books have questions at the back. That might help.
An example of what has gone down well is Marcus Borg's Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.
--------------------
My Jewish-positive lectionary blog is at http://recognisingjewishrootsinthelectionary.wordpress.com/
My reviews at http://layreadersbookreviews.wordpress.com
Posts: 23198 | From: Bristol | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
The Midge
Shipmate
# 2398
|
Posted
How About:
"The Divine Conspiracey" Dallas Willard
ISBN 9780006281146
Richard Foster/ Renovare stuff
Such as "Celebration of Discipline" ISBN 9780340979266
Eugene Peterson is good if you want to study a book/ scripture
e.g. "The Word Made Flesh" ISBN 9780340996174
or
"The Journey" A Guide for the Pilgrim Life a take on psalms of Acsent ISBN 0551029773
--------------------
Some days you are the fly.
On other days you are the windscreen.
Posts: 1085 | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
|
Posted
I can recommend Borg's similar book on the Bible.
--------------------
Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
|
Posted
"Traveling Mercies", by Anne Lamotte.
Favorite of many shipmates. It's an account of how she came to faith, in the midst of substance abuse, becoming a single mom, and other issues. It's down-in-the-trenches, nitty gritty. E.g., she says once that she'd done something so bad that "it made Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish"!
She's born again, but liberal. IIRC, I think the church she attended at the time was either Episcopal or Presbyterian.
--------------------
Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
"Traveling Mercies", by Anne Lamotte.
Favorite of many shipmates. It's an account of how she came to faith, in the midst of substance abuse, becoming a single mom, and other issues. It's down-in-the-trenches, nitty gritty. E.g., she says once that she'd done something so bad that "it made Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish"!
She's born again, but liberal. IIRC, I think the church she attended at the time was either Episcopal or Presbyterian.
Presbyterian-- she and Eugene Peterson are about the best thing we have going! 2nd the recommendation.
For similar reasons, Kathleen Norris' Amazing Grace is excellent.
I also really like NT Wright's stuff. Simply Christian would be a nice starting point.
--------------------
"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
|
Posted
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. He was a French soldier who came to faith while recovering from war injuries. He'd expected his new life to be very grim, and was pleasantly surprised. He became a much-desired spiritual director, because his approach was gentle and compassionate.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek or Holy the Firm, by Annie Dillard. Spiritual reflections, wrestling with God, and seeing God in nature. Wonderful writing!
--------------------
Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Adam.
Like as the
# 4991
|
Posted
We found ARISE helpful. It's a method for forming small Christian communities outlined in a book rather than a book to study.
--------------------
Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Preaching blog
Posts: 8164 | From: Notre Dame, IN | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Emily Windsor-Cragg:
If your desire is to get communicants thinking about things, why not John Shelby Spong?
He'd be prime fodder for a heresy drinking game, which I suppose you could describe as "fellowship" for a home group.
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
South Coast Kevin
Shipmate
# 16130
|
Posted
A 'heresy drinking game' - what an entertaining idea! Would something have to be considered heresy by most Christian groups, or is it enough for there to be an accusation of heresy from just one or two mainstream theologians?
Being more serious, I think looking at controversial material could be really worthwhile. There might be something of merit in there, or at least it would get people thinking about why we hold to the orthodox position. It'd shake us up from unthinkingly accepting the conventional views of our denomination / group, wouldn't it?
--------------------
My blog - wondering about Christianity in the 21st century, chess, music, politics and other bits and bobs.
Posts: 3309 | From: The south coast (of England) | Registered: Jan 2011
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Arethosemyfeet
Shipmate
# 17047
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
A 'heresy drinking game' - what an entertaining idea! Would something have to be considered heresy by most Christian groups, or is it enough for there to be an accusation of heresy from just one or two mainstream theologians?
If it's Spong, I think the former; I'm not sure any home groups' livers would be up to the latter.
I think the way it would work is that when one person correctly names the heresy being perpetrated, everyone else has to drink. If you incorrectly call a heresy, then you have to drink.
[ 12. July 2013, 16:24: Message edited by: Arethosemyfeet ]
Posts: 2933 | From: Hebrides | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
|
Posted
Marcus Borg also has Speaking Christian, which is very accessible.
For something a little different, you could try The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. It starts out as a comedic exploration of biblical law, and then the secular Jewish author surprises himself by becoming more deeply involved than he thought possible. Then Rachel Held Evans has produced a female equivalent called The Year of Biblical Womanhood. The snippets I've read look very good indeed.
--------------------
"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bostonman
Shipmate
# 17108
|
Posted
There's a great collaboration between Borg and Wright on he historical Jesus, which is very accessible but excellent for thinking, and written from a position of both men's deep faith. It will certainly provoke discussion.
Posts: 424 | From: USA | Registered: May 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Custard
Shipmate
# 5402
|
Posted
Why not just get them to do group lectio divina?
--------------------
blog
Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp thine image in its place.
Posts: 4523 | From: Snot's Place | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Evensong
Shipmate
# 14696
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
quote:
Originally posted by South Coast Kevin:
A 'heresy drinking game' - what an entertaining idea! Would something have to be considered heresy by most Christian groups, or is it enough for there to be an accusation of heresy from just one or two mainstream theologians?
If it's Spong, I think the former; I'm not sure any home groups' livers would be up to the latter.
I think the way it would work is that when one person correctly names the heresy being perpetrated, everyone else has to drink. If you incorrectly call a heresy, then you have to drink.
![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
Aw maaaaaan. That would be so much fun!!
--------------------
a theological scrapbook
Posts: 9481 | From: Australia | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
daronmedway
Shipmate
# 3012
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Custard:
Why not just get them to do group lectio divina?
Agreed. Eugene Petersen's Eat this Book is a good introduction to this way of reading the Bible. Or, for a Roman Catholic - and IMO excellent - perspective on Lectio Divina I'd recommend Praying the Bible by Mariano Magrassi.
Posts: 6976 | From: Southampton | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
AgnosticJim
Apprentice
# 12955
|
Posted
Worked through "How to be a Bad Christian... but a Better Human Being" by Dave Tomlinson recently with a house group. It was well received.
--------------------
Now a Christian, but not sure how to change name to reflect that. Never mind.
Posts: 10 | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
wishandaprayer
Shipmate
# 17673
|
Posted
Because what we all need are to read books that confirm that we were right after all.........
Posts: 94 | Registered: May 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
|
Posted
Some friends and I read Henri Nouwen's Reaching out recently, over three sessions. We're moving on to Jean Vanier's Becoming Human, again a section at a time. You could also try the Return of the Prodigal Son a chapter at a time.
--------------------
I came to Jesus and I found in him my star, my sun.
And in that light of life I'll walk 'til travelling days are done
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
