A history of Spiritual Formation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 1981-2005
Several templates for finger labyrinths
Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding is a series of biblically based mini-courses providing adults with a foundational understanding of our Reformed faith. This resource — with themes of discipleship, worship as evangelism, John Calvin, theology and more — is designed for group study.
The labyrinth is an ancient tool for prayer and meditation, consisting of a winding path that begins at the periphery and leads to a central space, and then out again by the same path. It differs from a maze in that a labyrinth has no blind alleys or dead ends. It is not meant to trick you but to be a means to a journey on a path, inward and outward bound.
Put your feet flat on the floor, and take a few deep breaths. As you breathe in, imagine that you are inhaling God’s love as you would a pleasant aroma. Feel the sensation of this great Love moving through you. As you exhale, imagine that your breath cooperates with the Holy Spirit so that God’s love permeates the space around you. With the Holy Spirit as your guide, you can see your life in light of God’s providential care for you.
The following words and phrases can be used to focus your attention while distractions are shed. Rhythmically repeat the word or phrase, breaking as indicated by the slash (/), inhaling and then exhaling.
A prayerful reading of Scripture is a way of entering into a conversation with God, and allowing God to be the first speaker. So often our prayers are a conversation in which we are the only speakers and God does all the listening. This can be our default mode of conversation with God even during a worship service. The next time you attend a worship service pay attention to the “Prayers of Confession” or “Prayers of the People,” or even the “Proclamation of the Word,” and compare the amount of time spent we do the talking compared to the amount …
Ash Wednesday is a day of solemn assembly that is built right into the church year. It is a fast day, a day of mourning for our sin and the sin of all humanity before God, a recognition of our mortality save for the grace of God and a request that the Lord remember our creation and breathe new life into our burned-out, dusty lives once more.
See related pages: Ash Wednesday, Season of Lent, Presbyterian Worship
Faith Questions
Scope & Sequence