For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

ACCESS ALL IMITATION OF CHRIST PODCASTS HERE (scroll down)

ce the early 1400s, 

The Imitation of Christ

 has been a Christian classic—for many centuries surpassed in printing and sales only by the Bible itself. Nor in its time was any book more translated into contemporary languages (apart from Scripture).

Imitation

 originally circulated as a series of devotional booklets, the earliest of which reached the public as early as 1420, a year or two after à Kempis began writing. Thomas à Kempis (Thomas Haemmerlein, 1380-1471) spent most of his life in Germany, spending 72 years of his life as a member of the Brothers of the Common Life at Mount St. Agnes Monastery. This work was originally written in Latin. For non-Latin readers there are numerous versions in modern languages. The 

Imitation

 has been available in English since 1696.

The 

Imitation

 consists of four books and 114 chapters. This is the original arrangement:

(In our series we will 

sample

 the chapters—reading selectively, not studying the entire work.)

* I'll read the selection for the day.

* Scriptural connections will be pointed out.* Practical application will follow (thought questions, personal challenges, prayer points).

1 Jan—

Despising Vanity 

Offering Ourselves

Taking Up Jesus' Cross

4 Jan—

The Royal Way of the Cross

The Power of Divine Love

The Intimate Love of Jesus

Futile Hope

Selfish Love 

Hearing God's Words

Knowledge / Wisdom / Not Believing Everyone

Not Trusting Self / Trusting God

Human Misery / Weakness

13—

The Loss of All Comfort

14—

Bearing Injuries / Christ's Obedience

15—

On Obedience / Earthly Affections

16—

Benefits of Obedience / Self-Denial / Surrender of Self

Over-Anxiety / Holy Examples

18—

Guard of Humility / Thinking Humbly

19—

Contempt of Worldly Knowledge 

The Confidence of Grace

21—

Bearing with Others

22—

On the Love of Solitude & Silence

Peaceableness / Purity / Conscience

24—

The Exercises of a Righteous Person

25—

Reading the Holy Scriptures

26—

Security / Temptation

27—

A Sensitive Heart

Rash Judgment and Words

29—

Desiring Eternal Life

Coasting / Delight / Free Spirit

31—

Meditating on Death / Final Desire / Eternity

Feedback on TIOC:

* Love the à Kempis podcasts—fabulous start to each day. Thank you, praise God!
* I’m encouraging our whole house church to follow along with the Imitation of Christ study series.
* The podcasts are thought-provoking—very helpful and refreshing for me. This teaching is a gift from God to me right now. I am sharing what I'm learning with my sisters (who live in four other cities). The Word will not return void.
* This is very powerful—so glad you decided to podcast from The Imitation. This also fits perfectly with our church's 2019 theme.
* The quiet times are short and very powerful and life changing. Thank you!