Practice Spiritual Disciplines: God’s central invitation to followers of Jesus is to draw near to God in Christ and to allow God, through the Holy Spirit, to transform us into Christ’s image. Christian spiritual disciplines and spiritual practices are ways in which we do that. Spiritual disciplines are usually thought of as those things that help us draw near to God and might include different forms of prayer, meditation, study, and service. Spiritual practices are seen as those things Jesus did, said, or embodied; we as Jesus’ followers try to do so as well. Many of the spiritual disciplines covered in this unit have emerged over the centuries as Christians have experimented with ways to make space in their lives to be with Jesus and to allow Jesus to transform them. Young Children Leader's Guide. This leader’s guide is for children ages 3–5. It contains helpful information for the leader, including information about young children, background information about the practice, a note about supplies, and other helpful information for each session. There are symbols for each activity within the session that allow a leader to see at a glance the type of activity and customize each session for their group of children. Each session includes resource pages and “Practicing the Practice at Home,” which may be copied, printed, or sent out electronically to participants. There are other helpful pieces for young children in the Congregational Guide.
