The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education provides classes and groups to cultivate discernment on specific issues, as well as to learn how to do spiritual discernment. For more information and to register, click on the linked title below. Questions? Text Karen Keen at 469-708-8211 with your name, e-mail, and brief description. Karen strives to respond by e-mail within two business days for service requests.
Karen also offers individual and private group educational consultation, as well as retreat facilitation for churches or organizations.
Classes
1. How Did We Get the Bible? The Origins and Interpretation of Scripture
Where did the Bible come from? Who wrote it? How do we best interpret it? These are the core questions explored in this course. Scripture is a rich source of wisdom and truth for the spiritual life. But a lack of understanding about its origins, nature, and function can prevent us from getting the most out of it. This class is sure to offer fascinating insights into your understanding of the Bible. Click to learn more.
2. Unlocking the Mysteries of the Old Testament: An Introduction
Have you ever wondered how to make sense of the Old Testament? Ancient rituals, supernatural stories, and obscure legal codes can make it seem far from practical life today. But understanding the historical, literary, and theological context can open up a whole new world of spiritual insights. This class provides a helpful introduction to the Old Testament. Click to learn more.
3. The Bible, Church, and Same-Sex Relationships
Sexuality is a hot topic in the church today, and one that has a significant impact on people’s everyday lives. The course does far more than look at the handful of Scriptural references on same-sex relations; it gets at the question of how we formulate ethics in the first place. Participants from a variety of theological viewpoints are welcome. Click to learn more.
4. Scripture and Sexual Ethics
An 8-module video master class that explores how Christians can best apply biblical wisdom on sex to our lives today. In an era of shifting cultural norms, this study of the history, theology, and application of sexual values is a helpful guide for all Christians in discerning their own sexual ethics and choices. The course covers a variety of topics including how to navigate relationships post-purity culture, marriage, celibacy, how to address sexual temptation, and much more. While geared toward adults, it’s also a great resource for parents to use for discussing sexual ethics with their teenagers. This curriculum, created and taught by Karen Keen, is available at The Reformation Project website.
Spiritual Care Groups & Retreats
1. How Do I Know? Spiritual Discernment and Decision-Making for Everyday Life
Are you wrestling with a major decision? Do you wish you had more wisdom for navigating daily choices? Spiritual discernment plays an important role in sound decision-making. It’s possible to learn how to pay attention to the ways God is guiding you. Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice. Click to learn more.
2. Finding God: An Examen Prayer Retreat
“Finding God” is a retreat introducing you to a Christian prayer practice that has nurtured people across the globe for hundreds of years. The Examen is powerful in its simplicity, helping people to notice God in daily life. Themes include God’s presence, gratitude, movements of the Spirit, consolation and desolation, confession, discernment, and more. Click to learn more.
The Faith Questions Groups 1 and 2 are designed for those experiencing changes in their faith and want a safe place to talk through the process with others. Does your childhood faith no longer seem to quite fit? Do you have faith questions you are wrestling with that have gone unanswered? This is the group for you. Click to learn more.
This guide of more than thirty short videos accompanies you on an individual experience through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Consider signing up with a friend or small church group to experience it together. The videos supplement the book The Jesus Way: Practicing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Are you longing to revitalize your spiritual life? Do you wish you had a daily rhythm of prayer and contemplation of the Scriptures? The Jesus Way Retreat is a 9-month retreat in daily life that helps you to center your life on Christ. Click to learn more.