Though I haven't done this before on this blog, since I've been working on this book manuscript over the past four years and it is due to be released in the next few weeks, I invite you to check out Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation the Benedictine Way (Paraclete Press, 2010), by David Robinson. Ancient Paths offers personal and practical insights into “The Rule of St. Benedict”, an ancient guidebook for Christian formation in community. Drawing upon centuries of Benedictine spirituality and monastic spiritual practices, Ancient Paths presents a five-fold approach to spiritual formation in community. While Benedict wrote his spiritual formation guidebook for monks living in the early sixth century, Ancient Paths presents Benedict’s perspectives and principles as a rich source of wisdom and practical guidance for spiritual formation today. Ancient Paths is a field-tested guidebook, showing how this way of life has been lived by monastics day by day over the past fifteen centuries. Through biblical principles laid out in this book, readers will discover ancient, but new ways of living their faith together with others. This book also provides practical guidance for pastors, priests, and lay-leaders in the local congregation for helping to grow a community of faith in the ancient way of Christ. A twelve-week study guide is also provided for individuals, home groups, house churches and small group leaders. Here are two links to this book online: Ancient Paths at Amazon; Ancient Paths at Paraclete.
