Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth

Journey of the Soul is precisely the right book at the right time with significant chaos both inside and out of the church. The Gaultiere's practical approach to Jesus-way-of-living is not only time tested by decades of their personal and professional experience, but readily accessible to people just beginning their journey to wholeness and the best life possible in Christ. I highly recommend this book for two groups of people. The first is the individual who has experienced what the authors call "The Wall" that place where you are stuck, where traditional disciplines feel empty, and where God seems to be absent. Getting over The Wall is not easy, but the consequences of turning away from that difficult time creates significant ripple effects and often harmful patterns. The Gaultieres provide a simple, reliable and powerful way to get passed that season of crises and reach a life that's flourishing beyond The Wall. The second group that I commend Journey of the Soul to are the pastors, ministry leaders and people of influence in an organization. Your effectiveness as a leader hinges on the health your team. This book is an invaluable resource for your organization to thrive. Take your staff, leadership team, board, small groups, key volunteers and stakeholders through the Journey of the Soul. The Gaultieres build on the tradition of the greats in personal and organizational health in a Christian context. The Journey of the Soul belongs in the canon of essential reading for anybody looking to find a life of thriving in Christ and who are leading others to do the same.

In many ways, the pandemic brought spiritual health into the spotlight. People realized they did not have what they needed to face the challenges suddenly thrust upon their lives. Enter “Journey of the Soul”—a biblical, practical, emotionally healthy roadmap to the various stages of spiritual growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. As our church read through the book and processed it together in small groups, it brought widespread clarity in helping people identify where they were in their Journey with Jesus. The identification of “roadblocks” to growth, and the specific “Soul Care Practices” to move forward at each stage provide a practical set of tools for taking initiative in your own spiritual development. Mature disciples found hope and affirmation in discovering they were not alone in feeling “stuck”, as well as being inspired to move forward into deeper union with Christ through the clear pathway provided. The Small Group Leader’s Guide is one of the most engaging and helpful resources I’ve encountered in 35 years of pastoral ministry. Peppered with vulnerable and compelling examples from their own lives, the Journey of the Soul resources created by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere offer a profoundly rich and personalized map for navigating the difficulties of life as a thriving, flourishing follower of Jesus. If you are in a position to influence Christ-followers toward growth—this resource is a goldmine!

Journey of the Soul is a life-changing book full of tools to help you understand where you are in your journey with the Lord and what you can do to grow in the stage you are in as you move between stages. Bill and Kristi skillfully connect aspects of spiritual direction, spiritual disciplines, and psychology, among others, to give a well-rounded understanding of our whole self as God sees us. No matter if you are a new or mature Christian you will find guidance for your faith journey. If you are feeling stuck or far away from God this is perfect for you too! Feeling stale in your faith or distant from the Lord is part of your journey that God will use to deepen your relationship with Him. Whether you read this on your own or work through it with a group, you will experience the Lord's presence as you bring your honest self before Him! It is clear how much Bill and Kristi pray for and care for each and every person who picks up this book and I join them in this prayer. Thank you, Bill and Kristi for following the Lord's calling in writing this book!

Incredibly rich and accessible map for all followers of Jesus, church leaders, disciple makers. It’s also great for those who want to learn how to grow spiritually. Highly recommended for individuals, entire congregations, families, etc.

Pretty good book. Too emotional for guys at times.

Journey of the Soul is a TREMENDOUS resource for those who desire to grow in their discipleship and intimacy with Christ as well as those who seek to lead others on the journey of spiritual and emotional development. Kristi and Bill Gaultiere have devoted their lives to leading others through the process of maturing in Christ. In Journey of the Soul, they walk us through the stages of spiritual development, enabling individuals to locate their current stage on the journey and providing insights and spiritual practices to assist them in the steps necessary for growing in faith and in relationship with God and others.What distinguish Journey of the Soul are the unique insights, personal testimonies and practical steps that the authors include in their discussion. For each stage in the spiritual growth process they identify trail markers, roadblocks, significant lessons, Scripture passages and experiential soul care practices designed for growth. Being able to identify my own stage of spiritual development along with learning practical next steps for progress on the journey bring confidence and clarity to the growth process. As a Christ follower and a spiritual director, I will return to this resource again and again.

ESSENTIAL for understanding your spiritual formation and how to grow in grace free from guilt, shame, pressure or strain. This book gave me a map to see where I have traveled and where else I can look forward to in my travels with God. Highly recommend!

We are very excited about Journey of the Soul by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere!My wife and I lead a small weekly Soul Care group. We often use Bill and Kristi’s resources. Our new Journey of the Soul books arrived on Tuesday afternoon - just a few hours before our group was to meet. We joyfully began to read and came to the 2nd chapter - Soul Care Practice - Praying Psalm 23. We decided to give it a try following the text and allowing time for prayer and contemplation. Everyone participated, and quietly made notes. Later, when the sharing was complete, each of our members had contributed meaningful and hopeful words. I was deeply encouraged when we heard one of our oldest members say “I think this was the most meaningful meditation I have ever experienced… Thank you!”Bill and Kristi are writing for people who are ready for spiritual and emotional growth.Journey of the Soul is practical and instructive for anyone searching for Jesus’ rest for their soul…Stu and Corinne Krogman