Course Introduction
What are the connections between story and Christ-centered spiritual formation? How do narratives in the Bible, narratives in culture (including novels and TV shows), and the stories we tell about our own lives intersect with our spirituality? How can we intentionally use stories to help us in our spiritual growth? Explore these questions through storytelling exercises, guided study, personal reflection, and creative practices.
Free? Yes. In keeping with Eden Spiritual Care's mission of making spiritual formation opportunities widely accessible, classes are funded entirely by generous donor contributions so you can take classes at no charge! If you would like to make a donation to help fund future classes, you are welcome to do so, but there is absolutely no expectation that you will. Suggested donation to provide space for one person in a future class is $150.
What to expect
This online course involves approximately 2 to 3 hours of learning activities each week:
Your take-aways
Who this is for
This intro-level course is open to anyone* ages 18 and up!
Course Requirements
Questions? Comments?
What are the connections between story and Christ-centered spiritual formation? How do narratives in the Bible, narratives in culture (including novels and TV shows), and the stories we tell about our own lives intersect with our spirituality? How can we intentionally use stories to help us in our spiritual growth? Explore these questions through storytelling exercises, guided study, personal reflection, and creative practices.
Free? Yes. In keeping with Eden Spiritual Care's mission of making spiritual formation opportunities widely accessible, classes are funded entirely by generous donor contributions so you can take classes at no charge! If you would like to make a donation to help fund future classes, you are welcome to do so, but there is absolutely no expectation that you will. Suggested donation to provide space for one person in a future class is $150.
- Dates: TBA
- Weekly group session by Zoom: TBA
- Registration is closed. Please email us if you would like to hear when this class is offered again.
What to expect
This online course involves approximately 2 to 3 hours of learning activities each week:
- Weekly prompts for sharing a portion of your life story within a small online group (sharing will happen by written posts and also by Zoom video conferencing)
- Viewing video talks led by the instructor
- Reading (articles chosen by the instructor)
- Reflecting through informal writing, and sharing your thoughts and questions in online discussion forums with other learners
- Optional processing of your growth and questions one-on-one with the instructor through a 10-minute video conferencing check-in, at a mutually agreed-upon time
- Getting constructive, growth-focused feedback from the instructor
Your take-aways
- Grow healthier relationships with others, yourself, and God by engaging in storytelling (oral and written).
- Grow in self-awareness as you reflect on your own life stories.
- Gain fresh insights into familiar stories in the Bible.
- Reflect on how cultural narratives shape worldview.
- Give members of your online small group the gift of being heard, known, and seen for who they are.
- Receive from the members of your online small group the gift of being heard, known, and seen for who you are.
Who this is for
This intro-level course is open to anyone* ages 18 and up!
- People of any gender
- People of any educational background
- People who have identified as Christ followers since their childhood, or have only recently begun identifying as Christ followers, or who have never or no longer identify as Christ followers but who are curious to learn more about the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity
- Both extroverts and introverts
- Still not convinced this is a class for you? Read more here.
- * Note: To create a safe space for people to share about their own life experiences, participants will be required to sign a Story Sharing and Listening Covenant, which will require participants to listen with respect and without judgment, and to keep other people's stories confidential. The instructor reserves the right to remove from the class anyone she has reason to believe is breaking the covenant.
Course Requirements
- Internet access with enough bandwidth that you are able to stream videos smoothly
- Access to a web device with a camera and microphone for video conferencing
- Ability to read, write, and speak in English
Questions? Comments?
About the Instructor
Sierra Neiman Westbrook, M.Div.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.
Sierra Neiman Westbrook, M.Div.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.
