Book description
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are often called “spiritual
disciplines.” The term highlights their similarity to physical
disciplines. But like a physical fitness program, we can go through the
motions of these practices without deriving much benefit from them.
Jesus wants the spiritual disciplines to work for us. Only the Holy
Spirit can make us holy, but we can spur the Spirit to help us. That is
what almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are: ways of seeking the Holy
Spirit's help, ways of beginning to cooperate with his work in us.
In this Bible study, popular Scripture commentator Kevin Perrotta
selects six readings from Scripture-one Old Testament and one New
Testament text for each spiritual discipline. Each passage confronts us
with some of the most important aspects of these practices, showing us
why we undertake them and how they can transform us so that we become
more like the persons that God has created us to be. “This Bible study
by Kevin Perrotta is an illuminating guide on how to carry out Jesus'
teachings on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in a very practical way. It
will help readers discover the benefits of the spiritual disciplines: a
gradual clearing of our minds and hearts and a greater awareness of our
neighbor in need-and especially of God's presence in us and the world.”
Kevin Perrotta has written about the Bible for many years and has served
as editor of the popular Six Weeks with the Bible books. He has a
masters' degree in theology from the St. Paul School of Divinity in St.
Paul, Minnesota, and teaches occasionally at Sacred Heart Major Seminary
in Detroit. Kevin and his wife, Louise, live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
