Week 12 Discussion Notes:[1. References to days are from the Imitate Christ Study Guide]

1. Does your inner spiritual life match the outward impression you project to others? (Day 77)
2. In Chapter 1 of Book I, Kempis wrote, “Do not place much confidence in weak and mortal man, helpful and friendly though he be; and do not grieve too much if he sometimes opposes and contradicts you. Those who are with us today may be against us tomorrow, and vice versa, for men change with the wind.” Based on your own experiences, is this appraisal of other human beings accurate? Or, too harsh? (Day 78)
3. In Chapter 2 of Book I, Kempis wrote, “It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility.” Does it seem good when others criticize your faults? (Day 81)
4. John Selden’s view is that a little pride is allowed: “Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a Man cannot keep up his Dignity. In Gluttony there must be Eating, in Drunkenness there must be drinking: ’tis not the eating, nor ’tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the Excess. So in Pride.” Do you agree that only “excess” in pride is bad? (Day 83)

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 2 , Chapter 1 : Meditation (March 19, 2012)
2. Book 2 , Chapter 2 : Humility (March 22, 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.

Footnotes:

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.

Week 11 : 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 1 , Chapter 24 : Judgment and the Punishment of Sin (March 13, 2012)
2. Book 1 , Chapter 25 : Zeal in Amending our Lives (March 16, 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.

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

1. Will sin lead you to death (Hell), even if you have accepted God’s gift of salvation, through Jesus Christ? (Day 71)
2. In chapter 24, Kempis outlined how a man will be grievously punished for sins: (1) driven with burning prongs, (2) unspeakable hunger and thirst, (3) burning pitch and foul brimstone, (4) howling like a mad dog, (5) confusion, (6) abject want. Could a loving God literally punish a person in this manner? (Day 72)
3. People often demand what they deserve. It this really a good thing? (Day 73)
4. Kempis wrote in chapter 25, “He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones.” Do you think is best to overlook “little sins” in ourselves and others? (Day 75)

Footnotes:

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.

Week 10 : 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 1 , Chapter 22 : Thoughts on the Misery of Man (March 6, 2012)
2. Book 1 , Chapter 23 : Thoughts on Death (March 9, 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.

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

1. In The Soliloquy of the Soul, Kempis intimates that life on this earth is but a poor substitute for the eternal life which is to come. But doesn’t God intend for us to enjoy our lives? (Day 64)
2. Kempis wrote in Chapter 22, “WHEREVER you are, wherever you go, you are miserable unless you turn to God.” Is this true? (Day 65)
3. In The Spaniards’ Graves, Celia Leighton Thaxter (1836-1894) wrote about the families who waited for sailors to return from sea, “Year by year, Weary they watched, till youth and beauty passed, And lustrous eyes grew dim and age drew near, And hope was dead at last.” Isn’t there always hope, in God? (Day 67)
4. In Chapter 23, Kempis cautioned us to be ready for death at any time. We don’t know when we will die, nor when Christ will return. Would you live your life any differently if you knew for certain that today was your last day on Earth? (Day 68)

Footnotes: