Spiritual Friendship: Learning to Be Friends with God and One Another

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Spiritual Friendship

Discussion Questions

Aelred states that the only foundation for a spiritual friendship is the love of God. He teaches that we need to continually return to this foundation and evaluate our own loves and relationships in light of this first love (3.5). As you think about the culture around you, what are the foundations used to build friendships?

We carefully choose the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the places we invest our money and time, do you agree with Aelred that we

should also carefully choose our friends (3.14)?

How do you feel about Aelred’s teaching that Christians are called to love all people, including their enemies, but they can only

accept a limited number into their lives as spiritual friends (3.2)? Does this feel unfair to you? Does it make you feel relieved? Share with one another the kinds of emotions that arise as you consider Aelred’s claim.