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Welcome to the Journeying Toward Jesus Spiritual Growth Book Club

This book club is primarily designed for those who have completed the Journeying Toward Jesus program and want to continue their spiritual growth journey with the support of a group of like-minded women.  It is also open to other women who have a firm commitment to their spiritual growth journey and are looking to grow alongside others.

Below you will find a list of the six books we’ll study as well as their respective dates.  Please let me know if you have any questions by emailing hello (at) journeyingtowardjesus.com.

2020 Reading List

1. The Imitation of Christ

Written by Thomas à Kempis; translated by William C. Creasy. (15th century)

The Imitation of CHrist by Thomas A Kempis

January 13 – February 29, 2020

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From the publisher: “‘What would Jesus do?’ That’s the primary question Thomas à Kempis answers in his universally acclaimed work, The Imitation of Christ. In 114 short chapters organized into four simple parts, this handbook on the spiritual life offers guidance on dozens of topics such as resisting temptation, avoiding hasty judgments, putting up with others’ faults, remembering God’s many blessings, self-surrender, minding our own business, and performing humble works.William Creasy succeeds in creating a dramatically different interpretation of The Imitation of Christ by working through its historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts.This book inspired the likes of St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Thérèse of Lisieux, Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton. Along with such classics as Augustine’s Confessions, Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, and Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises, The Imitation of Christ continues to confront each generation of readers with the perennial truths of the Gospel.”

2. Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ

Written by Jeanne Guyon; Translated by Gene Edwards. (17th century)

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon

March 2 – april 25, 2020

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From the publisher: “One of the most influential spiritual books ever penned, even secular historians acknowledge the great impact Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ has had in Christian history. Madame Guyon is generally credited, even by her enemies, as being one of the best-known women in church history. Will Durant, in his 11-volume Story of Civilization, recounts the impact of Jeanne Guyon’s life and writings on French history.

At one time this book was publicly burned in France and yet it has also been received by seeking Christians as one of the most helpful and powerful Christian books ever written. Penned by one of Christianity’s most famous saints, Jeanne Guyon, it has played a major part in the lives of more famous Christians than perhaps any other Christian book. Here is the very first edition written in modern English.”

3. The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life

Written by Hannah Whitall Smith. (19th century)

The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith

april 27 – june 6, 2020

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From the publisher: “You can live a happy life—blessed, assured, and victorious! First published more than 130 years ago, this uplifting classic has inspired and encouraged generations of believers. Walk alongside Smith, a Bible-believing Quaker “rebel realist,” and discover how you, too, can exchange doubt and unhappiness for certainty, serenity, and confidence.”

4. Growth in Holiness

Written by Frederick W. Faber. (19th century)

Growth in Holiness

june 8 – august 15, 2020

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From the publisher: “Probably Fr. Faber’s greatest book. Includes The Ruling Passion, Human Respect, The Right View of Our Faults, Abiding Sorrow for Sin, Scruples, Spiritual Idleness, True Signs of Progress in the Spiritual Life, and more–27 chapters in all! Typical of Fr. Faber’s keen insight into all matters bearing on True Religion. Shows that growth in holiness is the issue of life and deserves at least as much intelligent attention as our physical life!”

5. The Interior Castle 

Written by Teresa of Ávila; Translated by E. Allison Peers. With commentary by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. (16th century)

The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila

september 8 – november 7, 2020

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From the publisher: “Remarkably simple both in style and structure, Teresa’s Interior Castle begins with the vision of the soul as a “castle made of a single diamond … in which there are many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.” Building on this image, Teresa constructs a work of stunning spiritual and psychological wisdom.

In his commentary, Dennis Billy breathes fresh air into this timeless work by examining Teresa’s thought in its historical context and summarizing her teaching in a brief and straightforward manner.”

6. Poustinia

Written by Catherine de Hueck Doherty. (20th century)

Poustinia by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

november 9 – december 12, 2020

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  • View on Amazon
  • Not available on Christian Book Distributors
  • Not available on Scribd

From the publisher: “Poustinia — The modern spiritual classic for those seeking the open heart and listening soul of a silent contemplation.Poustinia, a Russian word, means ‘desert’, a place to meet Christ in silence, solitude and prayer. Catherine Doherty combines her insights into the great spiritual traditions of the Russian Church with her very personal experience of life with Christ.Men and women who desire communion with God can discover how the poustinia powerfully fulfills their yearning. Readers are invited to leave the noise and harried pace of daily life to enter a place of silence and solitude. Catherine writes from her own experience with refreshing and startling Christian authenticity and a strong personal sense of spiritual authority.Catherine emphasizes ‘poustinia of the heart,’ an interiorized poustinia, a silent chamber carried always and everywhere in which to contemplate God within. Learn how our desert can be in the marketplace, in the midst of countless conferences, traffic jams, bus trips–or a hospital ward. Written by one who knows by experience, Poustinia brings consolation with its vision of a personal desert that can bloom in simple, profound prayer.”