Reference no: EM133562819

Assignment: Spiritual Reflection Activity

Find a quiet, relaxing, undisturbed place to spend 45-60 minutes and work on this exercise.

Take a few moments to settle in, pray, and quiet your heart and mind. For this reflection, write any notes or reflections that come to mind. Share anything you feel comfortable sharing. The professor will only read what you write on this reflection guide and will keep your reflections confidential.

I. To begin your time of prayerful reflection take a few minutes to read Psalms 42, 89, and 136. (Psalm 42 is a lament of sorts, Psalm 89 speaks, repeatedly, of God's faithfulness, and Psalm 136 emphasizes God's love). As you read, take note of any verses or phrases that speak to your heart. Then, reflect below on the Psalm that speaks (most clearly) to your current spiritual state and how your relationship has grown/changed with God over the years.

II. Demarest suggests that our spiritual journey advances in more of a spiral than a straight line and is an ongoing process of starting and stopping, detours, reversions, and growth (p. 13). Take a look at the spiritual life map you just created . . . How would you describe your spiritual journey? Is it a spiral, line, circle, stairs, turning gears, mountains/valleys, etc.?

III. Demarest also suggests it is essential that we understand our own spiritual state and the seasons of the soul if we are to teach others and help guide, challenge, and walk with them through their journey (p. 16). Can you think of a time in your life when someone was there to walk you through, guide you, and challenge you in your journey?

IV. Demarest describes the seasons of the soul as:

i. Initial Orientation (new life)
ii. Painful Disorientation (distress, suffering, dark night)
iii. Joyful Reorientation

Have you seen any or all of these stages in your life? If yes, how so?

V. Demarest discusses the potential trap of intellectualism for Christians. He discusses a split between the head and the heart where one doesthings for God rather than live a life centered on a relationship with God and seeking transformation in Him. As a believer, especially as a CM student, have you struggled with this head-heart divide? Reflect below:

VI. How can we address the head-heart divide in our lives and the lives of people we minister to (present and/or future)?

VII. Many spiritual formation writers and experts talk about the "Dark Night of the Soul" or the "Desert Experience." Have you had an experience like this? What has been your desert? What was it like? Are you there now?

VIII. In chapter 4 Demarest discusses a number of "Spiritual Fathers" and how they dealt with, or came out of, the darkness. Henri Nouwen, in his book Return of the Prodigal Son, addresses how he felt he was busy doing things for God but was not communing with God. His journey led him to solitude and meditating on Rembrandt's painting of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen wrote in his book about "coming home" and returning to communion with God saying, "Finally . . . I went to a place where I could be alone. There, in my solitude, I started to walk home, slowly and hesitantly, hearing ever more clearly the voice that says: "You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests" (p. 50).

How do you "come home" and return to focus upon God? Is there a specific place? Discipline? Scripture you meditate on? Song? What has "worked" for you?

IX. Jerry Sittser, a professor and man who has endured great loss (his mother, wife, and one of his children died in a tragic car accident-he was driving). He is the author of A Grace Disguised, and writes, "catastrophic loss leaves the landscape of one's life forever changed" (p. 24). Later in his book he says, "It is not what happens to us that matters as much as what happens in us" (p. 45). In keeping with Sittser's words, what kinds of trials/sufferings have you experienced along your journey? How have those worked in you, shaped you, transformed you, and aided/hindered your spiritual growth?

X. In ministry it is often helpful to have an "ancient mentor," someone from history to refer to for encouragement, guidance, and support. Take a look at chapter 4 in Demarest's text. Were there any specific Spiritual Saints or Biblical Saints you related to? Reflect below:

XI. On page 109 Demarest says, "Suppressing our true feelings deadens our souls and deepens our distress" (p. 109). Do you struggle with "suppressing your feelings?" If so, do you think it "deadens your soul and deepens your distress?"

XII. What do you think about Demarest's suggestions in chapter 5?

i. Turn from all known sin (p. 105)
ii. Be assured of God's loving kindness (p. 108)
iii. Express feelings of distress (p. 109)
iv. Abandon all to God (p. 109)
v. Recognize the value of suffering in the divine economy (p. 113)
vi. Journey to one's "inner Sinai" (p. 114)
vii. Praise God for past mercies (p. 118)
viii. Walk with a spiritual companion (p. 120)
ix. Reach out to others (p. 122)
x. Take courage, never give up (p. 123)

XIII. Read through the Appendix of Demarest's text beginning on page 160. Select one spiritual journey that relates most closely to your journey. Jot down some notes below concerning how the person/theory you select relates to your story:

XIV. In what ways do you think your journey does, can, and/or will impact your ministry/teaching?

XV. Jot any additional reflections or ideas you might want to share with the class about this exercise and reflection process here.

Seasons of the Soul Spiritual Reflection

After completing Seasons of the Soul, write a brief, 2 to 4 pages reflection paper based on your understanding of spiritual formation and your own spiritual journey.