The Way of Blessedness, the third resource in the Companions in Christ series, is an invitation for small group members to discover and live in the kingdom of God. Each week is an exploration of one of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. Unlike other books on the Beatitudes, The Way of Blessedness is threaded throughout with spiritual practices that form participants spiritually while informing them about scripture. This 9-week journey helps participants empty themselves of pride so that they can be filled with God's abundant love. As they are transformed by God's love, they may become people who mourn with and for others and our world, who understand and live out Jesus' example of meekness, who hunger and thirst for holiness, who humbly offer and receive mercy, whose hearts are pure and able to see the imprint of God in all things, who seek peace, and who hold strong in our faith through adversity. The Way of Blessedness guides participants along a path that offers clarity to their way of life and the very life of God's kingdom. Small group sessions: Week 1 Exploring the Blessed Life Week 2 Embracing Our Spiritual Poverty Week 3 Tears as Anguish, Tears as Gift Week 4 The Power of a Clear and Gentle Heart Week 5 A Satisfying Hunger and Thirst Week 6 Embracing the Wisdom of Tenderness Week 7 Receiving the Vision of God Week 8 Making Peace: A Fragrant Offering of Love Week 9 The Deep Gladness of Suffering Love

This new six-week Companions in Christ study challenges Christians from the viewpoint of a white South African pastor who has lived through the political changes in that country and experienced with rare vulnerability the spiritual struggles inherent in the processes of truth-telling, reconciliation, deep pain, and poverty. Trevor Hudson brings a message of vital, transforming spirituality through knowing who we are, changing from the inside out, listening to the groans of others, and discovering the deep spirituality of belonging.

The 28-week basic Companions in Christ experience looks at five major parts of the Christian life:
-Embracing the Journey: an exploration of spiritual formation
-Feeding on the Word: an introduction to several ways of meditating on and praying with scripture
-Deepening Our Prayer: a guided experience of various classic forms and styles of prayer
-Responding to Our Call: a presentation of gifts and call
-Exploring Spiritual Guidance: a journey through different ways of giving and receiving spiritual guidance.

The sensational small-group series Companions in Christ is now being offered in a new 5-piece Participant's Book set as well as the traditional 1-piece Participant's Book. With the same great daily exercise material and articles, the two different Participant's Book styles allow your group to use the format that best fits your time frame. The new 5-piece Participant's Book set offers groups a convenient way to take breaks between modules. The traditional 1-piece volume is still a great value for groups who will continue their study together for 28 weeks.