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Week 18: Christian Mens Breakfast: Imitate Christ

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Week 18 Discussion Notes:[1. References to days are from the Imitate Christ Study Guide]

  1. In chapter 3, Kempis includes a prayer with this passage: “I am Your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say.” The context of this thought is key to understanding its meaning. (Day 121)
  2. John Paul II wrote in CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE, “The right to life means the right to be born and then continue to live until one’s natural end.” Many people, apparently including a majority of the Justices on the US Supreme Court disagree. Do you think there are exceptions to the right described by John Paul II? (Day 122)
  3. In chapter 4, Kempis refers to the widely quoted scriptural fragment, “the truth will make you free.” But taken out of context, the meaning is completely perverted. It is not just any truth that will make you free–it is the truth of Jesus Christ! John 8:31-32 (Day 124)
  4. Kempis wrote in chapter 4, “Let nothing seem important or precious or desirable except that which is everlasting.” Since nothing, apart from God and His Kingdom, is “everlasting,” it is God alone who is truly “important, precious or desirable.” (Day 124)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.[1. The dates listed are the dates the chapters were posted online, which also corresponds to the suggested reading plan in the study guide.]

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

  1. Book 3 , Chapter 3 : Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them (May 1, 2012)
  2. Book 3 , Chapter 4 : We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth (May 4, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

  1. Challoner’s Reflections[2. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ] on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

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