EXPLORING THE WAY

| Participant's book | Leader's Guide |

Exploring the Way is different from other resources in the Companions in Christ Series. It was written with the person new to spiritual formation in mind.

Exploring the Way is designed as an introduction to Christian spirituality. It is structured more as a class than a small group, meets for just one hour each week, and includes 6 weeks of sessions. The participants are asked to engage in personal reading and reflection after (not before) the group meeting. This is an ideal resource for introducing basic spiritual practices to a group not yet ready to commit to 28 weeks in the foundational resource.

Our hope is that with some basic information on Christian formation, and a taste of one key spiritual practice each week, participants will become more comfortable with the language of spirituality and grow willing to take a next step.

Contrasting the Models:

Companions in Christ Series	Exploring the Way
Small group model	Class or small group model
Article/exercises precedes group time	Reading/exercises follow class time
Experiential with some instruction	Instructional with some experience
Formation primary	Balances information and formation
Leader guides group process	Leader teaches, guides process
2 hour weekly meeting	1 hour weekly class (expandable to 1.5 hours)

Exploring the Way places a heavier burden on the leader to be prepared for the teaching role. This may make it more likely that pastors, Christian Educators, and experienced lay teachers will take the leadership role. However, seasoned leaders of Companions small groups would generally make excellent leaders for Exploring the Way. A teacher who has no familiarity with experiential process or spiritual practice would need to learn how to guide this component of each class.