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Prayer and Devotional Life of United Methodists
This volume in the United Methodist Studies series challenges United Methodists to engage in life-transforming practices. The author explains a theme and underscores major emphases within the United Methodist denomination. This adult study is divided into four sections with suggestions for group discussion, and can be completed in 4 to 8 sessions. No leader’s guide is needed. The sections 1 - Living from the Heart - This chapter examines the essence of prayer and devotional life for United holiness of heart and life. The chapter is divided into two sections to enable this Cimmunion (heart) and Compassion (life). 2 - Read and Pray Daily - Exploring these two central disciplines in Christian formation and the Wesleyan Tradition guides readers into practical expressions of what it means to read devotionally (lection divina) and pray continually (the life of prayer). 3 - Get Connected! - The idea of "connectionalism" is a significant part of our tradition. This chapter examines this idea from two vantage points of classic formation principles and the concrete structures Wesley used in early-Methodism, which still contain implications for today. 4 - Go On! - The cultivation of prayer and devotional life in United Methodism is not about "attainment" but rather about "journey." This chapter examines the pilgrimage motif through the two lenses of the biblical doctrine of Christian perfection, and the practical development of that message through an action/reflection model of Christian formation.
- GenresPrayer
129 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Steve Harper
32 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 10, 2013
This is a practical book that gets at the core of Methodist spirituality. The fourth chapter was especially brilliant (and frustratingly challenging). This book is likely best digested over a couple of months with a small group.
June 19, 2009
A little tough to read. One of those authors where I had to re-read the passage to understand his point. It could have been written more clearly.
April 29, 2014
Practical book about the Methodist historical roots of prayer and devotion as well as modern applications
February 8, 2015
Very good book on historic and current prayer and devotion practices. Wish there had been discussion questions at the end of chapter 3.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews