Jesus Experience: the Book

August 12, 2011November 29, 2017 selvam Books

Jesus Experience: The Core of Christian Life Journey
by Sahaya G. Selvam, sdb
Mumbai: St Pauls, 2011 (151pp; Rs.90; $6.95)
Born out of personal experience and reflection, the book can be a valuable guide to anyone who seriously desires a God-experience. For a Christian, the experience of God through an encounter with Jesus is a journey that is marked by different milestones. The author traces some of the patterns that emerge in the gospel narratives of the encounter between Jesus and different people like the Magi, the first disciples, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
At least seven steps are discernible in these encounters: the beginning of the journey as a result of the awareness of an inner thirst (or desire for God), the recognition of the pointers on the way, the search that takes us along meandering paths, the timely invitation from God/Jesus, the peak of the journey […]

Scaffoldings: Training young people in Christian lifeskills

August 11, 2011August 17, 2011 selvam Books

Scaffoldings: Training Young People in Christian Life Skills. Nairobi: PaulinesAfrica, 2008.
It is a Training Programme for Building Christian Life Skills among the Young People of Africa. The title Scaffoldings alludes to the concept that at the beginning of learning, learners need a great deal of support; gradually, this support is taken away to allow the young people to try their independence. It is the same in the growth process of a young person as a Christian. Scaffoldings translates the Catechism into life-skills, and accompanies them in the process of life-skills building. The manual contains 4 sessions each on 20 themes as listed below.
It also has a student handbook. Copies of both volumes are available from Paulines, Nairobi; DBYES, Karen, Kenya; DBYES, Upanga, Tangaza.
This is not just a book but a […]

Beyond the Ordinary

August 11, 2011August 17, 2011 selvam Books

Beyond the Ordinary: The Spiritual Journey of a Missionary. ISBN: 9966-08-127-5; Nairobi: PaulinesAfrica, 2006.
This book is a moving example of a popular autobiographical literary genre: the personal spiritual journey. It is also an example of African narrative theology. The author describes Beyond the Ordinary as “reminiscences of my spiritual journey” inEast Africaover a period of 12 years (1992 to 2004). He says: “The collection [of reflections and stories] simply commemorates the spiritual lessons that I have learnt as an expatriate missionary in East Africa.”
Sahaya G. Selvam describes African Safari as “reminiscences of my spiritual journey” inEast Africa over a period of 12 years (1992 to 2004). He says: “The collection [of reflections and stories] simply commemorates the spiritual lessons that I have learnt as an expatriate […]

Marriage and Family in African Christianity

August 9, 2011August 17, 2011 selvam Africa, Books

Kyomo, A. A., & Selvam, S.G. (2004). Marriage and Family in African Christianity. Nairobi: Acton Press.
Christian Families in Africa are in a phase of crisis. The crisis is about how to face change. Christian missionary activities, colonialism, westernization, urbanization, and a score of other contemporary phenomena have taken the African families to a plateau of change. The question is, will African families succumb to changes or emerge with an alternative stronger family structure?
Every crisis is a challenge and an opportunity. This one sure is. It is a challenge because the old models are not feasible in the changing social environment. The pangs of this new birth seem to bring a lot of anxiety. It is an opportunity because something more beautiful may eventually emerge. Our own reflections, discussions, assessments are very vital to contribute to the reconstruction of African Families.
The […]

Simama Imara

August 7, 2011August 17, 2011 selvam Books

Simama Imara (Youth Workers’ Manual in Swahili), ISBN: 9966-21-813-0; Nairobi: PaulinesAfrica, 2002.
This Youth Workers’ Manual in Swahili has 40 ready to use sessions on various topics suitable for young people in the Swahili speaking context. This book is now out of print.
Contact dbyes<at>donbosco.or.tz for Chuo Cha Maisha – the Swahili version of Scaffoldings. This has now replaced Simara Imara