Preferring Christ. (2004). Norvene Vest. Source Books, Trabuco Canyon, CA pp. 180

This is the real deal. This is a workbook that examines each section of the Rule of Benedict. It was written so as to make the Rule more accessible to lay people. Each workbook section takes a portion of the Rule text as it appears from the Rule, provides a brief commentary on the Rule, provides space for the participant to comment or reflect upon the Rule, and then space for prayer and the response of those in the group. This should only be undertaken by a dedicated group, probably one that has been engaged in several other studies together. Although the sections are brief, I could easily see this becoming a 30 -32 week study of the Rule and related Biblical text. Essentially the entire book is a study guide, without a key. I wholeheartedly recommend it, but only to a faithful few.

Wisdom Distilled from the Daily. (1991). Joan Chittister. Harper Books, San Francisco, CA pp. 212

This is the classic text on the Rule of St. Benedict, and it follows hand in hand with the Rule, with bits of the Rule scattered throughout. It is certainly the book closest to the actual Rule itself. There are 15 chapters, so this would certainly become a semester long study. While it might lend itself better to a small group setting with more time for discussion, there is nothing that would preclude it from the Sunday school hour. There is much more intensity here, the leader should be someone with at least a passing interest in the Rule, or perhaps in spiritual direction. That is not to say the book is complicated, in fact, this was the first book on the Rule that I read, and it probably propelled me into deeper studies of the Rule. However, there is a real sense that you should be walking in community when you engage this text, and therefore, as a leader you need to be prepared for that. Also, it would probably not be the best book for a large group, a smaller setting might be better. There are no study guides to accompany this book, but there is a glossary, which serves as a nice Catholic to Protestant translation.

St. Benedict on the Freeway. (2001). Corinne Ware. Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN pp. 134

Well here we turn the corner from light, towards a little more intensity. Ware writes this book in an effort to answer her own question “How do we hear the still small voice of God while traveling at the speed and sensory overload of modern life?” And she does a good job of answering that question, by depending on the ancient Rule of St. Benedict. This is a slightly longer book than the others, and it is significantly more involved. Fortunately, the author includes a study guide for chapter that a leader could use for the group. However, the length of the chapters and their depth suggests that this probably would be best in a small group setting, rather than a Sunday school hour. More time might be needed to discuss and explore the chapters. Ware begins with an introduction to the Rule of St. Benedict, what it means and what it may mean for us today. While the book is based on the Rule there are no quotes from the Rule, and it does not have direct links to the Rule. I particularly enjoyed her exploration of the Sacramental Day in chapter three and how she reformulates the traditional prayers of the Divine Office into a means of prayer that has relevance for us postmodernists.

Monk Habits for Everyday People: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants. (2007). Dennis Okholm. Brazos Press, Grand Rapids, MI pp. 144

I have to admit that the double meaning of the title first caught my attention, and it did not help that on the cover of the book there is an image of albs (habits) hanging up. Then I read the subtitle, “Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants.” I was hooked. Although a little long for a traditional Sunday school text, there are ten relatively short chapters. Okholm begins the book by facing head on to why this Rule may be important for Protestants, in the first two chapters. I think if you have a group of folks with a bad taste in their mouth about other faith traditions, this may be significant. And even if you don’t, his explanation really boils down to why those of us not in a monastery should be remotely interested in a Rule for monastics. This is another great book for small groups or even Sunday school classes. He does not include a study guide, but I think you could manage without it. But what are included are suggestions for living out the Rule in our day to day lives. You could have your group try a couple of these each week. Okholm also includes recommended readings, which may only take your study to the next level.

A Good Life: Benedict’s Guide to Everyday Joy. (2004). Robert Benson. Paraclete Press, Brewster, MA. pp. 85

This would be the light version of the Rule, in fact, the author recommends that you have a copy of the actual Rule to accompany this book. There are six chapters in the book, all relatively short. And each opens with text from the Rule that refers to the content of the chapter, and then the author provides his commentary on the content. This would make for a good small group, maybe even a Sunday school text. The book is small enough so as to not be intimidating, and the chapters brief enough to even read just before gathering. An option might be to discuss how members of the group are living out the chapter topic (or not), and how they might prefer to live out the chapter topic (or not). The topics are simple, such as “rest.” But in its simplicity we are at real odds as to how to go about “rest.” For example, you might consider simply asking the group, “What do you think the commandment ‘keep the Sabbath’ means?” Nothing simple about that question. There are no guides in the book to assist a leader, but the author has laid it out so that there is probably no need. The author also includes some recommendations for additional study.