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

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Spiritual Friendship

Who Should Read Spiritual Friendship ? Who should read Spiritual Friendship ? I suggest three groups of people who can especially benefit from this work: (1) spiritual leaders; (2) young people; and (3) married couples or single believers serious about Christian discipleship. First, Aelred wrote this book for Christians who were serious about Christian discipleship and who were serving as spiritual leaders in their generation. In a similar way, I believe this book provides essential instruction for all who serve in positions of spiritual leadership today. If we hope to thrive in ministry, we must learn to practice the spiritual discipline of spiritual friendship. Second, Aelred wrote this book to be an aide to the young. If you are a young person, then Spiritual Friendship was especially written for you. If you are trying to figure out how to construct a life that is beautiful, a life that shines the light and life and love of Jesus, then this book can help. Aelred’s book provides a pathway to spiritual maturity that is marked by joy and happiness. If you take the time to read this book carefully, and to discuss it with good friends, you will discover a powerful spiritual discipline which will bring forth lasting fruit. Finally, Christian married couples and Christian singles who want to flourish and provide a faithful witness to the goodness of Eden will find rich help in this book. 16 Aelred wanted all Christians to know God’s creation design for the goodness and joy of human friendship. He wrote about

16 For a contemporary example of attending to married and single spiritual friendships see Peter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Leader (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015), 81–114.