Spirituality and Prayer: Growing in Life with God
1. What is spirituality?
2. With what kind of love does God love each person? How does that kind of love affect a person who is open to it?
3. How did Jesus respond to his fears?
4. What Christian belief is the foundation of trust and hope in God?
5. Describe how genuine spirituality can affect a person�s whole life.
6. What is prayer? How is it related to spirituality?
7. Briefly describe the five different forms of prayer.
Vocabulary: spirituality | unconditional | love | prayer prayers of conversation | prayers of petition | prayers of thanks and praise | prayers of meditation | formal prayers
Key idea: What is spirituality, specifically Christian spirituality?
Teacher's text essays
1. What difference does it make to you that you can be completely yourself with God and never fear rejection? What was Jesus� response to fear?
2. Explain what �letting go and letting God� means. How does trust in God help people? Why do we need spirituality when everything is going well?
3. Who is at the center of Christian spirituality, and what does this person teach us about how to grow spiritually?
4. What does our relationship with God need in order to survive and grow? Reflect on at least two ways that you can deepen your own relationship with God. What other practices might help?
5. Define spirituality and prayer. How do they relate to one another?
6. Write your own prayer of conversation and prayer of thanks and praise. What form of prayer do you find yourself using most often in your everyday life?
7. Is it always obvious how God answers prayers? Explain your answer. What�s the point of prayers of petition if we don�t get what we want?
8. Write down two formal prayers. Describe three ways you can pray with your body and soul.
9. Define meditation and explain the aim of Christian meditation. Suggest three methods of meditation. Describe your own experience with practicing meditation.
10. What are the effects of genuine private prayer and community prayer? Give two examples of community prayer.
11. How do we know if we are really growing closer to God? Explain how what you have learned in this chapter might help you grow closer to God.