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 9 : 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 20 : The Love of Solitude and Silence (February 27, 2012)
2. Book 1 , Chapter 21 : Sorrow of Heart (March 2, 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 Little Kempis, the author mentions Dilige Solitudinem — “Love Solitude.” How important is solitude, and where do you find it? (Day 57)
2. In Chapter 20 of The Imitation of Christ, Kempis suggests that spending too much time with other people may be harmful. Do you agree? (Day 58)
3. In Chapter 21, Kempis cautions: “…live in the fear of the Lord, do not look for too much freedom, discipline your senses, and shun inane silliness.” Isn’t this advice completely contrary to what popular culture teaches? (Day 61)
4. Kempis wrote in chapter 21, “I do not doubt that you would correct yourself more earnestly if you would think more of an early death than of a long life.” If you knew you had only a short time left in this life, would you make more of an effort to improve your spiritual life? (Day 61)

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 8 : 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 18 : The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers (February 20, 2012)
2. Book 1 , Chapter 19 : The Practices of a Good Religious (February 23, 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. What sacrifices do you make for God? What are some of the greatest sacrifices you have EVER made for God? How do these sacrifices compare, in number and magnitude, to the sacrifices of the great Christians who preceded us? (Day 51)
2. How is your “inner life” as a Christian? Do your private thoughts and attitudes reflect well on one who is seeking to imitate Christ? (Day 52)
3. In chapter 19, Kempis recommends private devotions in additions in addition to public prayer. However, both are important. Private devotions may be different for each individual, and may change according to one’s circumstances. How does this advice match up to your personal practices of private devotion? (Day 54)
4. Kempis wrote in Instructions for Religious about the importance of solitude in our times of prayer and devotion. Do you agree? Is there anything in the life of Christ which suggests the importance of solitude to those who seek to imitate Christ? (Day 55)

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 7 : 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 15 : Works Done in Charity (February 13, 2012)
2. Book 1 , Chapter 16 : Bearing with the Faults of Others (February 15, 2012)
3. Book 1 , Chapter 17 : Monastic Life (February 17, 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. Is Kempis correct when he writes in Chapter 15 that God weighs the love that prompts a charitable act as much as the deed itself? How does this view fit with the common perception that good intentions don’t count for much? (Day 44)
2. Do you agree that excessively annoying others is equally as bad as being too easily annoyed? (Day 45)
3. Kempis wrote in Chapter 16 that “we want [other people] to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults.” Is he correct? Is this just human nature? How well does this observation fit you, personally? (Day 46)
4. Should you disregard Chapter 17, which is titled “Monastic Life,” if you don’t live in a monastery? Though we live in a secular society, aren’t Kempis’ essential recommendations of dedication to God, service to others, refraining from idleness and gossip, and humility still valid and applicable to all. (Day 48)

Footnotes: