Overview

The Quaker Roots for Newcomers section of the Spiritual Deepening Library offers an introduction to some key components of Quaker theology, faith, and practice.

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Grounding

Introduction to the Topic

What is a Gathered Meeting?

The ‘I’ in us begins to feel like ‘we’.
View What is a Gathered Meeting? Exercise

What Do Quakers Believe?

Quakers have a wide range of beliefs.  We use a variety of religious languages to describe our shared experience
View What Do Quakers Believe? Exercise

What do Quakers Believe about the Experience of God’s Presence?

Friends experience of that of God within has led them to realize that the potential to experience God’s presence inwardly is universal. It is available to all people. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can experience God’s presence directly.
View What do Quakers Believe about the Experience of God’s Presence? Exercise

Why Do Quakers Worship in Silence?

Worship is central to our faith. We meet together in expectant silence to experience the Divine Presence. We believe the Divine surrounds us and is within us at the same time. We do not create the encounter, but rather open ourselves to it.
View Why Do Quakers Worship in Silence? Exercise

Practicing

Experiential Activities

How Do Quaker Individuals Make Decisions?

Because God is among us collectively as well as within us individually, our communities help us experience that of God more fully.
View How Do Quaker Individuals Make Decisions? Exercise

How Do Quakers Make Decisions in Community?

In every situation requiring decisions in meeting for business, Friends are confident that there is a direction that approaches the Truth.
View How Do Quakers Make Decisions in Community? Exercise

How Does a Quaker Meeting Work?

A Quaker meeting is a local worshipping community. Quaker meetings follow the guidance of the Spirit in business as well as in worship.
View How Does a Quaker Meeting Work? Exercise

Sharing

Conversation Starters

How do I become a member of a Quaker meeting or church?

You become a Quaker by joining a meeting.
View How do I become a member of a Quaker meeting or church? Exercise

How Do Quaker Communities Nurture Interdependence?

In Quakerism, the individual needs the community as much as the community needs the individual.
View How Do Quaker Communities Nurture Interdependence? Exercise

What Do Quakers Mean by “Testimonies”?

“Testimonies” are what Quakers call the ways we have found to live and act based on our beliefs.
View What Do Quakers Mean by “Testimonies”? Exercise

How Do Quakers Know When to Speak During Worship?

Ideally, spoken messages in meeting for worship come from one’s experience and are prompted by the Spirit.
View How Do Quakers Know When to Speak During Worship? Exercise

For Children

Exploring Quakerism: A Study Guide, Teenagers Edition

This 14-session curriculum offers an overview of Quaker faith and practice for middle and high school students.
  • Age Range: Middle School and Up
View Exploring Quakerism: A Study Guide, Teenagers Edition Exercise

Quaker Time Machine

Friends, young and old, play through Quaker history in this hands-on exploration of historical Friends from George Fox to present-day Friends in your monthly meeting.
  • Age Range: Elementary (ages 6-11)
View Quaker Time Machine Exercise

Teaching Queries to Quaker Children

A collection of queries and lessons about worship, ministry, care, education, outreach, social order, race relations, equality, environment, peace, non-violence, home simplicity, and self discipline.
View Teaching Queries to Quaker Children Exercise

Revolutionary Roots of Quakerism

Reflect together on what 1st generation Friends have to teach us in terms of how we live together into these same critical questions as a faith community today.
  • Age Range: High School and Up
View Revolutionary Roots of Quakerism Exercise

Discovering Our Faith Through Worship Sharing

Welcome new Quakers by drawing out the faith that is already within them while respecting where each is on their spiritual journeys.
  • Age Range: High School and Up
View Discovering Our Faith Through Worship Sharing Exercise

Quaker Affirmation: A Course of Study for Young Friends

Through discussions and activities, this 10-month curriculum takes students on a journey of exploration through Quaker History, the testimonies, the different methods that Quakers use to discern God’s voice, Quaker theology, Quaker artists and changemakers, how Quakerism compares to other religions, as well as their own developing beliefs and spirituality.
  • Age Range: Middle School and Up
View Quaker Affirmation: A Course of Study for Young Friends Exercise

How Do Quakers Support Children’s Spirituality?

Children and families are welcome in Quaker meetings.  The religious education programming at many meetings is called "First Day School"
View How Do Quakers Support Children’s Spirituality? Exercise
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