It provides a helpful framework for understanding distinct stages of life: entrance and ending points, characteristics and experiences and communal dynamics of each state. Two key takeaways from the book are:1) We experience multiple callings over a lifetime.2) We need to discern afresh our vocation or calling(s) throughout all seasons of life.
I think this is a pretty accurate description of the book. The participants aren't required to read it, but things are gleaned from it for the participants. I thought it was important for me to read it as I guide my small group and spiritual directees.
It was good. They referred to Eric Erickson a lot during the book, and he is the author I gleaned the most from in my counseling psychology studies in grad school. So, it was nice to review some of his theories and realize how they have become absorbed into so much of what I look at when working with people.
As I was reading this book, I was doing direction with someone discerning an important life decision about her vocation. So, it was helpful to know. I also read the chapters about "emerging adults" because this is where my kids are at.
I did find it amusing that the people writing the chapters on older adults were not older adults themselves. Surely, since it was a book that had many contributors, there would have been someone, with the proper theological degree, who had been through that stage or was in it themselves.
I would say this is a pretty academic book and had some things that I felt were not biblical. I found it interesting but not earth-shattering. I like The Critical Journey much better, which is the other book the 2HC uses and the one I read for both Years I and II in my spiritual direction training. Also, The Making of a Leader is an excellent and soundly Biblical take on life stages that I prefer (and ingrained in me even though his style is very stoic).
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