Pilgrim: a Course for the Christian Journey may just be the best thing since sliced bread. And that’s so even if you’re gluten free.
Developed by the Church of England and written by a number of practical theologians and rubber-hits-the-road experts, Pilgrim includes four books so far, each featuring six 60-90 minute sessions. Working through the ideas in our baptismal vows, the sessions feature everything you need to know if you are just starting out on the Christian journey.
But wait a minute: even if you’re an experienced traveler on that journey, this resource is useful too. The discussion questions are written so that anyone, at any stage on the Christian journey can be inspired and fed.
As well, each session includes online resources: a video clip with input from the book’s authors and an audio prayer reflection. The leader’s guide that rounds out the course’s materials is great, with ideas for each session and liturgical resources as well.
Here’s what the publishers say:
Pilgrim’s approach
It starts at the very beginning
Pilgrim assumes very little understanding or knowledge of the Christian faith.
It focuses on Jesus Christ
Pilgrim aims to equip people to follow Jesus Christ as disciples in the whole of their lives.
It flows from the Scriptures
The primary focus of each session is a group of people engaging with the Bible together.
It draws deeply from the Christian tradition
In the Early Church, the Christian faith was taught by the transmission of key texts which summed up the heart of the Christian message. Pilgrim restores this approach for the twenty-first century.
It honours the Anglican way and its many streams
Pilgrim has been developed as a specifically Anglican resource which aims to cater for every tradition in the Church of England.
All in all, this is a middle of the road kind of small group resource that any parish in our diocese could use, no matter where you sit on the theological spectrum.
The Cathedral bookshop will have the books in stock in late July./August but you can have a look at the real thing at the Roscoe Library, or delve into the materials at the UK website.
And what’s more, St Francis College will be offering regional training workshops for potential leaders of the Pilgrim course in the second half of the year. Contact Jonathan Sargeant if you’re interested in those and we’ll see where to hold them.