The Upper Room Disciplines 2021

How important is it to have a daily spiritual routine? "When we engage in daily spiritual formation, we deepen our roots . . . and grow our capacity to handle any season of life," Junius Dotson wrote in the 2018 edition of The Upper Room Disciplines. Daily devotional reading helps keep our faith alive. Disciplines invites readers to spend unrushed time with God, reading a lectionary-based scripture passage, reflecting on the author's insights, and thinking about how to apply the truths from the readings to their daily life. This devotional book features 53 authors from diverse backgrounds, including some of the leading Christian thinkers of our time. Among the writers for 2021 are J. Dana Trent, James A. Harnish, Enuma Okoro, Jean-Claude Masuka, George Donigian, Beth A. Richardson, Kenneth H. Carter Jr., D. L. Mayfield, Stephane Brooks, Rachel Hackenberg, Rosalind Hughes, Memory Chikosi, Liz Magill, Charity Kiregyera, Joe Pennel, and Beth Taulman Miller.

How important is it to have a daily spiritual routine? "When we engage in daily spiritual formation, we deepen our roots . . . and grow our capacity to handle any season of life," Junius Dotson wrote in the 2018 edition of The Upper Room Disciplines. Daily devotional reading helps keep our faith alive. Disciplines invites readers to spend unrushed time with God, reading a lectionary-based scripture passage, reflecting on the author's insights, and thinking about how to apply the truths from the readings to their daily life. This enlarged-print edition of the devotional book features 53 authors from diverse backgrounds, including some of the leading Christian thinkers of our time. Among the writers for 2021 are J. Dana Trent, James A. Harnish, Enuma Okoro, George Donigian, Beth A. Richardson, Kenneth H. Carter Jr., D. L. Mayfield, Stephane Brooks, Rachel Hackenberg, Rosalind Hughes, Memory Chikosi, Liz Magill, Charity Kiregyera, Joe Pennel, and Beth Taulman Miller.

How important is it to have a daily spiritual routine? The habit of reading and reflecting on God's Word daily can bring a much-needed respite from the grind of everyday life. "We sometimes experience seasons in our lives when our faith seems dormant," Junius Dotson wrote in the 2018 edition of The Upper Room Disciplines. "It's especially important to practice the daily discipline of scripture devotion in our seasons of winter," he remarked. "When we engage in daily spiritual formation, we deepen our roots . . . and grow our capacity to handle any season of life." Daily devotional reading is essential to our spiritual growth, and it helps keep our faith alive. Disciplines invites readers to spend unrushed time with God, reading a lectionary-based scripture passage, reflecting on the author's insights, and thinking about how to apply the truths from the readings to their daily life. This devotional book features 53 authors from diverse backgrounds, including some of the leading Christian thinkers of our time. Among the writers for 2021 are J. Dana Trent, James A. Harnish, Enuma Okoro, George Donigian, Beth A. Richardson, Kenneth H. Carter Jr., D. L. Mayfield, Stephane Brooks, Rachel Hackenberg, Rosalind Hughes, Memory Chikosi, Liz Magill, Charity Kiregyera, Joe Pennel, and Beth Taulman Miller.

In this guide to writing a spiritual autobography, the author guides readers to reflect on their lives, its meaning, and how God has been present in it.

"This is a seven-week churchwide study for everyone who moves at breakneck speed through their daily lives, often relying on their own strength to bring God's kingdom on earth. Jesus shows us a different way, an easier, unforced rhythm of what kingdom work looks like. It's a balance of work, rest, play, worship, exercise, and eating well-spiritual practices that keep our souls hydrated and healthy as we do the work of the church in the world. Companion products for this book (available separately for purchase) include a DVD; downloaded video segments; PDFs of age-level discussion guides for children, youth, and adults; and sermon starters"--

For the Common Good reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives each Christian one or more spiritual gifts to be used for the common good. It guides readers to discover their own particular gifts and learn to use their gifts to serve others. Examining key passages in Paul's writings, author Christine Harman leads readers through a personal spiritual gift assessment. She names 25 distinct spiritual gifts—such as discernment, hospitality, compassion, evangelism, or music—and helps people explore scripture references on each one. After identifying their particular gifts, clergy and laypeople will learn how to apply them for the good of their church, community, and the world. This book is ideal for both group study and self-discovery. The book also includes suggestions for how to build a ministry team based on the gifts of each individual. This book is the text for a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course on spiritual gifts. It also can be used for a small-group study.

What's the secret to living a spiritual life? So much is happening in our world that we often get distracted and listen to voices other than the voice of God. "If we want to be disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life," Nouwen asserts. In the spiritual life, discipline requires conscious effort to keep every area in life from being filled up. It means creating space in our life for God to act and speak. Nouwen identifies 3 essential disciplines for maintaining a life of discipleship: solitude, community, and ministry. In solitude we learn to listen to God through prayer. We realize that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. In community we learn to celebrate, as well as to practice vulnerability and forgiveness. After we have experienced solitude and community, we feel God's call to minister to a hurting world. God empowers us to do amazing things. This encouraging, insightful book will inspire you to practice solitude, community, and ministry. The result, Nouwen promises, is a fruitful, Spirit-filled life.

Author James Howell believes in the power of song to teach spiritual truths. Hymns embed faith into the marrow of the soul, he writes. In Unrevealed Until Its Season, Howell takes readers on a 40-day journey through popular songs of the church. Reflecting on well-loved hymn phrases, Howell helps readers discover who God is and what following Jesus means. A great Lenten devotional guide for individuals, small groups, and church choirs, this book is an invaluable resource--and perfect gift--for musicians as they prepare for worship, and for ministers as they preach and lead worship. The weekly themes include Praising God, Hymns About Jesus, Hymns of Forgiveness, Hymns of Vision, Hymns of Beauty, Hymns of Holy Week, and Hymns of Easter. Howell ponders phrases from hymns old and new, such as Be Thou My Vision, Hymn of Promise, All Creatures of Our God and King, For Everyone Born, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Lift High the Cross, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.