At NRCC, we believe spiritual friendship is an essential element of spiritual health, so we created “breathing groups.”
Breathing groups are groups of 2-4 friends who gather as often as they can to intentionally…
1. breathe in together
As a group member, each person is committed to taking truth into themselves some way. Perhaps they read scripture, maybe listen to a podcast or listen to spiritual music. When they come upon a truth that moves their hearts, they jot it down and share it with one another, allowing the other members to “breathe in” their Truth.
This causes our conversations to focus on the big truths, the spiritual truths, the big thoughts about living well; an essential element of the spiritual journey.
2. breath out together
You’ve heard the phrase “confession is good for the soul.” It’s a deeper truth than most of us understand. When we bring the dark parts of our souls to the light, it puts us on a path of healing and freedom. However, this is difficult to do absent a network of trusted and trustworthy spiritual friends.
Members of breathing groups don’t only share the truths they gain, they also talk openly and safely about their weaknesses, failures, and habitual shortcomings. As we grow in our trust of one another, open our souls to one another, and embrace this ancient pathway, we learn to offer forgiveness, healing and growth to one another in the throes of imperfect lives.
3. breathe up together
Throughout history and scripture, prayer has been likened to breath. We “breathe” our prayers to God.
Spiritual friends hold one another in their hearts before God. As our trust and affection for one another grow, we remember one another in the night hours, or during our drive time. In the remembering, we hold each other before God.
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These three practices and the term “breathing groups” are simply updated ways of talking about an ancient tradition called “spiritual friendship.” Those who walk in this special kind of relationship become deeply connected to one another, and are strengthened, transformed, and matured in their spirituality. Spiritual growth is best fostered in the environment of shared experience.
Are you interested?
Once a year (January) we invite people to an orientation time on forming breathing groups, but if you’re interested and that time isn’t close, contact our minister, Doug. He’ll help you form a group.