Nurturing the Body of Christ

• Daily Prayer and Lectionary
  We welcome you to join Upper Room Ministries® in a simple covenant of prayer. As part of our corporate Rule of Life, the staff of The Upper Room engages in a daily pattern of Morning and Evening Prayer. The basic orders for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, as well as an order for Midday Prayer, are here for your information and use. It is no small thing for us to know that spiritual persons throughout the church are joined with us in the full force of faithful prayer. Join us in prayer.
• Spiritual Formation Seed Packet (PDF - 156kb)
  Originally created for congregations using Companions in Christ, this useful resource can be adapted to assist your local church in becoming more aware of God's presence among you. Contents include the resources: "Seed Kit for Spiritual Formation in Your Congregation," "Questions for Retreat and/or Small Group Sharing," "Awareness Examen," "Beyond the Companions in Christ Experience," and "Congregational Assessment: Where Is God Leading Us?" Download this free PDF resource for your local congregation. (PDF files require Adobe® Acrobat Reader.)

Nurturing Small Groups

• A Pattern for Group Scripture Reflection Using The Upper Room (PDF - 60kb)
  The practice of listening for God's personal word to us within the words of the Bible is an ancient Christian tradition. This resource adapts the ancient pattern called lectio divina ("sacred reading") for use in a group, basing the reading and reflection on the day's meditation in The Upper Room magazine. Download size: 55k. (PDF files require the free software Adobe® Acrobat Reader.)
• Meeting Starters (PDF file - 94kb)
  Use The Upper Room to start each meeting out right -- connecting to God. Use this list of topics of meditations from the September/October issue of the magazine to help match the meditation to the meeting. Meditations are listed by subject or committee name (from Choir to Worship committee.) Also included in this same PDF are the step-by-step instructions for how to use The Upper Room as a meeting opener. (PDF files require the free software Adobe® Acrobat Reader.)
• Upper Room Weekly Groups
  Christ said that where two or three gather in his name, he is present (Matthew 18:20). This group process will help guide you in gathering weekly with other believers to listen together for God's guidance using the meditations from The Upper Room magazine. No advance preparation is necessary. No leader is necessary. Group members take responsibility for participating and for encouraging each other to take part.
• Using Alive Now with Small Groups
  Alive Now is one of the most versatile tools available for small group ministry. Use suggested Scripture readings, reflection questions and book and film reviews in the magazine to stimulate lively participation. Our website offers Great for Groups, a creative, experiential small group experience, or a more traditional discussion format outline in the Weekly Study Guide. Choose one or combine them to customize for your small group needs. Like any treasured tool, Alive Now is one you'll reach for again and again.
• Weavings Reading Groups (PDF - 379kb)
  An important companion to Weavings Journal, Weavings Reading Groups are designed to support and enrich each participant's experience of spiritual reading. This free PDF, On Spiritual Reading, outlines how to use Weavings reading groups in your small group ministry. (PDF files require the free software Adobe® Acrobat Reader.)

Resources for the Anniversary Challenge

• 70th Anniversary Logos (Zipped file - 3.9 MB)
  A variety of Upper Room 70th Anniversary Logos for your use. Add a 70th Anniversary logo to your bulletin, newsletter, or website to remind everyone to pray and study every day. Or use the logos in Annual Conference displays or other events as you tell the story of The Upper Room's anniversary. (File contains JPEG and EPS formats in both color and black and white.)
• Interpreter Article: "Devotional Celebrates 70 Years" (PDF file - 328 kb)
  Share this PDF article with your church or faith community. It tells the story of The Upper Room's birth and 70 years of providing spiritual nurture for the world community. The article was published originally in the May/June 2005 issue of Interpreter Magazine. (PDF files require the free software Adobe® Acrobat Reader.)

Spiritual Formation Articles and Resources

• Becoming Christlike by Stephen D. Bryant
  Stephen Bryant, The Upper Room's Editor and Publisher, invites us to consider what it means to "become Christlike." "Where are you in your journey to becoming Christlike? Becoming like Christ is a spiritual practice, a daily discipline, a commitment to continuous conversion." Read Rev. Bryant's article.
• Definition of Spiritual Formation
  "Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ by the gracious working of God's spirit, for the transformation of the world." Learn more about this formational process of the spiritual life in this article from Companions in Christ. Read the article.
• Words on Spiritual Direction -- Series of three articles by Marjorie Thompson
  "The idea of spiritual guidance or direction is relatively new in the Protestant world. We would like to offer some additional perspectives on this dimension of Christian life. Spiritual friendship and guidance are foundational to Christian life in community, and to our personal maturation in Christ." Read the series.
• Prayer Workshops on The Lord's Prayer
  Reprinted from the 2002-2003 Upper Room daily devotional guide, this series of five articles guides the reader through a study of The Lord's Prayer. Read more ...

For Children, Youth, and Families

• Ten Prayer Tips for Teens
  From Devo'Zine magazine (Upper Room Ministries' magazine for teens). If you are struggling to pray, these suggestions may help you grow nearer to God in prayer. Read more ...
• The Liturgy of the Hours by Anne Crumpler
  From Devo'Zine magazine (Upper Room Ministries' magazine for teens), this article tells about how to "pray the hours," a way to make the whole day holy. Read more ...
• Articles on Children's Spirituality
  Pockets magazine (Upper Room Ministries' magazine for children) offers a series of articles for parents and teachers of children about how to nurture the spiritual growth of children. Read more ...
• Family Litanies
  Pockets magazine (Upper Room Ministries' magazine for children) provides simple worship suggestions which can be used in the family setting. Read more ...