Invest in Your Spiritual Growth by Reading, “The Imitation of Christ,” While Studying Jerry’s Notes on the Book.

Thomas A. Kempis,’ The Imitation of Christ, has been a most beloved and read devotional for drawing near to God and spiritual growth next the Bible itself for over 600 years. Thomas, when a young boy from Kampen in the Netherlands (hence, Thomas from Kampen, or Thomas A. Kempis), by a decision by his father John Hermerken, joined himself to the Brethren of the Common Life in Deventer in the northeast Netherlands and eventually recorded the biographies and writings of the Brethren summarizing their teachings and lessons regarding the Imitation of Christ…how to come after Christ, deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and following Him. Jesus’ words, “If any man come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” inspired the Brethren and the production of this most read devotional book during a time of many wars, an immoral populous and clergy, three popes ruling the Catholic Church, the Black Plague, and religious indifference as capitalism was replacing Medieval Feudalism.

Jerry Tritle offers his free study notes on this historic devotional (CLICK HERE) as he teaches this devotional in evening Church lectures and discussions as well as at retreats. He presents the unique ecclesiastical, theological, and spiritual happenings leading up to the publishing of the four books contained in the Imitation of Christ and presents the instructions, warnings, and prayers of this classic work’s contents and its continuing impacts and notable principles suited for the perfecting of one’s soul, the interior life, toward the end of a stronger faith, hope, and love as one follows and imitates Christ daily from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. He hopes you enjoy this work as you have enjoyed his book, The Last Days Are Behind Us; Our Best Days Are Ahead.

The Notes Outline is as follows:

· Introduction

· The New Devotion Grew out of an Age of Adversity

· A Growing Grace of Christian Mysticism

· The Rise of the New Devotion Movement

· The Brethren of the Common Life

· The Book, The Imitation of Christ

· The Imitation of Christ: Book One: “Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life”

· The Imitation of Christ: Book Two: “Admonitions Concerning the Inner Life,” or “Directives for the Interior Life.”

· The Imitation of Christ: Book Three: “On Interior Consolation”

· The Imitation of Christ: Book Four: “Of the Sacrament of the Altar,” or “On the Blessed Sacrament”
· Conclusion