Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving and Receiving Direction

by Gordon T. Smith

We are not alone. God is present with us. And God gives us companions on the journey. A spiritual director is one such companion, offering spiritual guidance to help make sense of the faith journey interpret the significant markers on the road encourage us, particularly through the more difficult transitions and valleys of our pilgrimage and, most of all, to notice the ministry of the Spirit in our lives Gordon Smith writes: Even if we have been Christians and maturing in our faith for many years, we still need the encouragement and guidance that might come through spiritual direction. . . . Genuine humility is evident in our realization that we need a companion, a fellow pilgrim and Christian, who can help us discern and foster an attentiveness to God's presence in our lives. This is the gift of spiritual direction. Whether you are a director, a directee or simply someone who wants to learn more about this ancient ministry, you will find this book to be a helpful guide.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

103 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2014

About the author

Gordon T. Smith is the president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, where he also serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology. He is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the author of many books, including Courage and Calling, Called to Be Saints, Spiritual Direction, and Consider Your Calling.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite teachers on Christian spirituality is Gordon Smith. I have been privileged to take classes from him at Regent college in the sacraments and conversion & spiritual transformation. I have also read several books by him on the spiritual lives. These books and classes have helped shape my vision of Christian formation and spirituality. Because of this, I pretty much put anything Gordon Smith writes on my must read pile. So when I saw that IVP put out a book by Gordon Smith on Spiritual Direction I knew I had to read it!

Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving & Receiving Direction gives Smith’s thoughts on Spiritual Direction. Smith, who is currently the president of Ambrose University College and Seminary in Calgary Alberta, got his PhD from Loyola School of Theology and sat under the spiritual direction of Thomas Green. As such, his model of Spiritual Formation is deeply influenced by the Jesuits, though he finds his theological home among evangelicals. This book shares his wisdom and particular understanding of what Spiritual Direction is.

Smith’s nine chapters articulate the nature of spiritual direction. Chapter one describes spiritual direction as an individualized relationship with a director who intentionally helps you pay attention to where God is at work in your life. Smith doesn’t shy away from the language of spiritual direction though some prefer the language of companionship or friendship, because direction implies intentionality and purpose. Chapter two grounds spiritual in direction in a theology of the triune God, an understanding of the religious experience and the affections and the particularity of each person. Chapter three describes the nature of spiritual direction as a ‘focused conversation.’ Chapter four focuses on the importance of prayer to spiritual direction. Chapter five details the format of a spiritual direction session. Chapter six describes how spiritual direction can inform pastoral ministry, evangelism and friendship. Chapter seven examines the qualities of a spiritual director while chapter eight looks at the qualities of the directee. The final chapter explores the importance of the Holy Spirit to spiritual direction–as the only one true director.

My experience of spiritual direction is positive, if rather limited. I have read several books on spiritual direction and briefly had a regular director while in seminary. I also have been blessed to have several significant conversations with spiritual directors which have helped me make sense of my spiritual life, and sense of call. Smith’s book is a fitting introduction to those who are new to the realm of spiritual direction and full of practical insight for finding a good director. I give this book four stars and highly recommend it for those who are curious about spiritual direction (especially my fellow evangelicals).

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many longing for a deeper awareness of the presence of God in their lives have rediscovered the special relationship known as spiritual direction. One of the needs that have existed is for a readable and concise treatment of the nature of this relationship. Gordon T. Smith has given us that account in this 96 page book packed with both a theological basis for and practical explanation of this form of spiritual friendship.

He begins by describing the agenda of this relationship as one of "directing our attention to the presence of God in our lives." This relationship is grounded in four theological themes: the Triune person and work of God, the nature of religious experience, the particularity of each person and the church as the people of God and means of God's grace.

The conversation in a spiritual direction relationship is a focused one where a director seeks to listen to both directee and God as the directee talks about relationships and work, key decisions, our experiences of suffering and pain, and most of all in the life of prayer.

After talking about the content of this conversation, he talks about the form it takes--how is this hour (usually a fixed time is set and typically an hour) spent? It is a conversation that begins with the directee sharing about his current life experiences, reflected upon coming into the meeting. After a time of silence the director may ask questions, and propose observations regarding how God may be present in what has been shared or how the directee may respond to this presence. After silence, the directee responds and the two may dialogue further with the director closing the time with a prayer of blessing.

Smith has a chapter on the role of direction in evangelism and how direction is a special form of friendship and its relationship to pastoral ministry. Spiritual direction is a helpful counterpoint to worship, teaching, and pastoral leadership in pastoral ministry. Spiritual direction can be instrumental in helping a person come to faith as a director helps a seeker discern how God is present. Like a friend, a spiritual director speaks with truth and freedom but at the same time never preempts one's personal responsibility to choose.

The next two chapters focus on the qualities of both a good director and a good directee (something I've not seen elsewhere!). Good directors are schooled in a theology of the Spirit, have an awareness of the history of Christian spirituality, extend compassion and grace, have a capacity for "double listening" to directee and to the Spirit, and keep confidentiality. Directees approach with a desire to grow, a meekness and humility, and intentionality of preparation and response. He then concludes with a focus on the true director in this relationship, the Spirit of God.

We often oppose "spiritual" and "practical". Smith fuses the two in an account of spiritual direction that prepares the reader engaging in or considering direction to understand the nature and practice of this formative discipline.

[Michael Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whereas Guenther emphasizes listening to the directee and Fryling emphasizes asking questions, Gordon Smith seems to emphasize the directive aspect of spiritual direction—providing suggestions to the directee that are aligned with what the director discerns about how God is active at the present time in the present person's life.

On the whole, I think I just wanted more from this book. It's so short that most of the topics were just a few mentions. In particular, it would have been nice to have more detail on how the director identifies God's presence and activity in the directee's narrative, as well as how to match particular suggestions with particular directees' particular needs. Obviously, that's a very particular task, but surely there are principles or patterns that can be identified in all that particularity. One of Smith's themes is that it is in the moments of joy and sorrow in everyday life that one can identify God's work. That's definitely a start, but simply recognizing moments of joy and sorrow on its own isn't going to get us all the way. Smith has said little here about the next step.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thin book (praises!), and probably didn't take me as long to read as I have it set for; however, I imagine I picked it up and savored it over multiple days. I have a lot of bookmarks and much underlining in the book. I found it helpful for surveying the world of spiritual direction both as a director and a directee. I've walked alongside a spiritual director for many years, and I still found this book helpful for going into a session. I started reading it when I decided I might pursue becoming a spiritual director myself. My mom wouldn't read it as this is a part of spiritual formation and life that she has never experienced. She is content with her Amish romances. For others who do understand this aspect of the With God life, I can highly recommend the book.

[Aaron Case · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book in filling out an important pastoral role. This book is about giving spiritual direction which differs greatly from teaching ot counseling. Perhaps the most impactful and important reminder in this book is found in the following quote, "It is a cardinal principle of pastoral ministry that the defining relationship and connection for the Christian is not, ultimately with th pastor and the church but with the Lord."

[Paul Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct synopsis of Spiritual Direction

I read this page turner of a book in two days. Embracing all spiritual traditions, Gordon T. Smith has given me great food for thought as I consider training to become a Spiritual Director. As a contemplative evangelical, this book answered the who, why, what, where and how really clearly. Definitely a must read for those considering either being a Director or Directee.

[John Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would change the subtitle to something different. This is not a guide but a survey. It was difficult to connect with the author, but I give it 3 stars because there were some aspects that challenged me, and I am glad I read it. I would recommend it only specifically to someone completely unfamiliar with spiritual direction. I could almost have learned all of this information in an hour-long conversation.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book on spiritual direction, both for directors and those who are curious about receiving direction. I especially like the term he uses, "double listening" --for a skill that directors need -- listening both to the directee's story and to the voice of God, believing that through the stories we hear both voices.

His emphasis on the Holy Spirit as director and the differences between teaching and direction are also helpful.

[Joy Strube · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good straightforward guide to the basics of spiritual direction - appreciated the practical considerations about listening well to both the work of God in a person and what’s going on in their lives.

[Beckie Hinze · Rating 4 out of 5]

New info

Spiritual direction is new to me. I read this book for a class. I thought it would be much of the same but it was practical and extremely useful.

[Gracewellworn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope. I would not recommend. This has truths in it and possibly if you need clear mandates for how to proceed as a director this could serve you well.

[Ruthann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful quick read. Full of practical tips and insight into what spiritual direction is and is not. Highly recommend.

[Errol Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a good book for laying the groundwork for understanding spiritual direction from the perspective of both the director and the directee. It is quite readable and fairly short.

[Demetrius Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good of an introduction I could have hoped for on the subject. Every sentence is clear and intentional.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gordon Smith's "Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving & Receiving Direction" is an invaluable and concise book on the practice of spiritual direction. In it, Smith succinctly demonstrates the importance of having a spiritual director, carefully distinguishing it from counseling and mentoring, and how spiritual direction actually and practically works. Near the book's end, Smith explains the qualities both the director and directee should have during their time together. Smith remarks that spiritual direction is useful to everyone, especially pastors who need a person to whom they can freely express themselves, but that meetings need not be every week; in many cases, six or so times a year may suffice, although he recommends new Christians be met with monthly. Smith reminds us that a spiritual director's main role is that of a listener, who is attentive to both the directee's exposition of their life and to how God is speaking to them. The director points to the instances of grace in the directee's life and asks questions of the directee, all the while careful to leave plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to work in the believer and not to impose their own proscriptions. The author also makes the very helpful point that so often in evangelism we assume that the person journeying towards faith is unaware of God in their life and that before they become aware of God's presence they must come to believe certain things; Smith says this is not necessarily the case at all, which is a helpful corrective to our thinking of evangelism.

[Timothy Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview of the classical discipline of giving and receiving spiritual direction, this book is deeper than it at first seems to be. I would recommend it to any beginner who's trying to get a sense for what spiritual direction is about, but at the same time, it has much to offer a more experienced believer. The attitudes and practices recommended here -- when actually practiced instead of merely contemplated -- are deeply generative.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise overview and defense of spiritual direction with implications as well for those receiving direction. Very helpful and directly to the point--spiritual guidance and companionship directing our attention to the presence of God in our lives.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical little book on the theology of spiritual direction, purposeful conversation and what being a spiritual director or directee can look like.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent concise book on the essence of spiritual direction.

[Carolyn R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to Spiritual Direction